So around 80k I started having a squeak problem when slowly accelerating from a stop. The sound has gotten a little louder lately so I had wife slowly accelerate from a stop with me next to the car looking under.
What I see is once the driveshaft starts turning it sounds like the sound is coming from the front u-joint.
I got under just now and it visually looks like there might be a leak from where the u-joint connects to the differential case (?) in front. Is that the culprit of the sound? Please help asap, wife drives the Pathfinder to work.
Thanks for any help.
Jeff
U-Joint creaking? Differential?
Moderator: volvite
Re: U-Joint creaking? Differential?
welcome to the forumMrEous wrote:So around 80k I started having a squeak problem when slowly accelerating from a stop. The sound has gotten a little louder lately so I had wife slowly accelerate from a stop with me next to the car looking under.
What I see is once the driveshaft starts turning it sounds like the sound is coming from the front u-joint.
I got under just now and it visually looks like there might be a leak from where the u-joint connects to the differential case (?) in front. Is that the culprit of the sound? Please help asap, wife drives the Pathfinder to work.
Thanks for any help.
Jeff
if a u-joint is worn enough, it will wobble as it turns, which may be causing leakage at the seal
worn u-joints are not uncommon
depends on how worn it is..........MrEous wrote:Any way I could tell its the u-joint visually or do I need to take it apart?
...and thank you for the welcome.
if very worn, they will usually have detectable play in them
sometimes external lubrication (WD-40 or equivalent) sprayed on it will change or eliminate the noise temporarily & can be helpful to diagnose
if you have both leakage at the input shaft seal and noise, then you probably need new u-joints (if so, replace both)
at your mileage, it wouldn't surprise me
use the forum "search" feature for more related info on the subject
I need to identify the parts for this before I get under there.
Could you please let me know if I have it labeled correctly?
(click for larger pic)
Forgive my noob but it's confusing when I've known the center shaft as a 'drive shaft' and FSM labels it a 'propeller shaft'...along with the wheels being driven by individual drive shafts. Unless it's a Courtesy Parts thing?
Could you please let me know if I have it labeled correctly?
(click for larger pic)
Forgive my noob but it's confusing when I've known the center shaft as a 'drive shaft' and FSM labels it a 'propeller shaft'...along with the wheels being driven by individual drive shafts. Unless it's a Courtesy Parts thing?
2WD or 4WD?MrEous wrote:I need to identify the parts for this before I get under there.
Could you please let me know if I have it labeled correctly?
(click for larger pic)
Forgive my noob but it's confusing when I've known the center shaft as a 'drive shaft' and FSM labels it a 'propeller shaft'...along with the wheels being driven by individual drive shafts. Unless it's a Courtesy Parts thing?
good diagnostics......MrEous wrote:It's an '08 2wd...
Btw, sprayed some PB Blaster on that linkage and a little inside the casing an creak went away. Now today there is a slight 'clunk' when putting into Drive.
"the leak" appears to be rust & residue fron the failing front u-joint
be sure to replace both front & rear u-joints
also be sure that the driveshaft gets re-installed in the same position in relation to the output shaft yoke and the rear differential yoke
have your chosen repair shop verify the problemMrEous wrote:Awesome just what I wanted to hear.
Regarding the part names (or Nissan part #s??)...do you have advice when I call?
they should know what repair parts are necessary
sounds like u-joints to me, but be sure to have verified and estimated before authorizing any repair
if it were mine, i would also have the driveshaft balance checked & adjusted before re-installing it
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