07 Xterra transmission bad noise

[skiller1nc]

Has anyone heard a sound similar to this when they put their car in gear when it's cold (car is "cold" not necessarily cold outside)? When I go out in the morning and crank car everything sounds good but when I put it in drive or reverse for a minute or so it makes this popping crunchy noise (listen to attached video) it eventually goes away and if at any point I put it back in park it stops. Car seems to operate fine but the noise is concerning.

 

[rijndael]

Have you checked for a cracked heat sheild that's rattling?

 

[AZjeff]

Hopefully your radiator has been replaced at some point or the internal trans cooler bypassed. Search Xterra SMOD. Haven't seen reports of your problem in relation to SMOD just a heads up.

 

[JTK]

Probably have to put it up on a lift, run it in D or R and listen under there. Like said above, heat shields are common noise makers on Nissan products. I've either removed or re-attached every one of them on my 2015 Versa at this point. Could also be a catalytic converter rattling internally. Either of those may present when the drivetrain tweaks just right when in gear.

Good point on the SMOD as well. Hopefully it's not that as you say it drives and shifts fine w/ no MIL.

 

[skiller1nc]

Have you checked for a cracked heat sheild that's rattling?

I will look. Doesn't make sense really though that it would stop after 30 seconds or so. And not start doing it again unless the car is cold.

 

[skiller1nc]

Hopefully your radiator has been replaced at some point or the internal trans cooler bypassed. Search Xterra SMOD. Haven't seen reports of your problem in relation to SMOD just a heads up.

I'll check transmission fluid. But yeah radiator has been replaced and I stay on top of maintenance.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Hard to tell from here, but it doesn't sound like a trans. A often cuprit is the fan shroud. It has a removable piece on the bottom that comes loose or doesn't get re-installed properly. Could also be a heat shield. Both will rattle when the engine mounts are worn and the engine twists under load.

Also sounds like it has a whine to it. Hopefully not secondary timing chain guides, another known problem.

Maybe audio from directly under the hood would be helpful.

 

[skiller1nc]

I crawled under tonight. There are 2 exhaust shields that could be the culprit. I'll have to attach them better when I have time. Transmission fluid was full and didn't look like it had coolant in it or anything. Nothing else looked out of place

 

[skiller1nc]

Ok. Did some more looking. Its coming from the top ish of the engine bay, near the alternator, throttle body, and intake. Its not an exhaust shield or fan shroud.

 

[MaximumMini]

Ok. Did some more looking. Its coming from the top ish of the engine bay, near the alternator, throttle body, and intake. Its not an exhaust shield or fan shroud.

Did you ever solve the problem?
I would have guessed from your OP description it might be a U-Joint or Center Bearing on the driveshaft.
I can't think of anything that would make a "crunching" noise near the intake when you put it in any gear?

I have two XTerras. A 2008 and a 2014. One is making a squeaking (but not yet crunching) noise only in reverse and only for the first few minutes when cold. Before taking a look I thing it's a rubber bushing on the driveshaft.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Did you ever solve the problem?
I would have guessed from your OP description it might be a U-Joint or Center Bearing on the driveshaft.
I can't think of anything that would make a "crunching" noise near the intake when you put it in any gear?

I have two XTerras. A 2008 and a 2014. One is making a squeaking (but not yet crunching) noise only in reverse and only for the first few minutes when cold. Before taking a look I thing it's a rubber bushing on the driveshaft.

I don’t think there are rubber bushings on the driveshaft?

 

[skiller1nc]

Did you ever solve the problem?
I would have guessed from your OP description it might be a U-Joint or Center Bearing on the driveshaft.
I can't think of anything that would make a "crunching" noise near the intake when you put it in any gear?

I have two XTerras. A 2008 and a 2014. One is making a squeaking (but not yet crunching) noise only in reverse and only for the first few minutes when cold. Before taking a look I thing it's a rubber bushing on the driveshaft.

No I didn't. The weird thing is it only does it when cold outside. If the weather is about 60 degrees or warmer it doesn't do it at all. And also it only does it in gear, even when sitting still. No idea.

 

[MaximumMini]

I don’t think there are rubber bushings on the driveshaft?

Do you have an XTerra?
I could be mistaken but I believe someone at one of the XTerra forums mentioned it.
I haven't personally looked for any rubber bushings on or near it yet.

 

[MaximumMini]

No I didn't. The weird thing is it only does it when cold outside. If the weather is about 60 degrees or warmer it doesn't do it at all. And also it only does it in gear, even when sitting still. No idea.

Oh, even when sitting still....ok that does make a difference.
Mine only squeaks in reverse.

If I find anything that could explain the noise you're hearing from your Xterra I'll post it back here.
I do all the service on mine but haven't had that issue (yet)

But both of them have had the shift selector bushing let go at bad times.
If yours hasn't I'd replace them anyway. (maybe you already have?)

 

[SC Maintenance]

Do you have an XTerra?
I could be mistaken but I believe someone at one of the XTerra forums mentioned it.

Yes. 2008 4wd s model. 415K miles, owned since new. I have had both driveshafts out - u- joints. Front has two u - joints with a slip joint in the middle. Rear has a u-joints holding a slip joint on the trans end and a CV at the rear diff.

 

[MaximumMini]

Yes. 2008 4wd s model. 415K miles, owned since new. I have had both driveshafts out - u- joints. Front has two u - joints with a slip joint in the middle. Rear has a u-joints holding a slip joint on the trans end and a CV at the rear diff.

Is there anything there that you know of that could "squeak" in reverse only? Maybe the slip joint?
That said, both mine a 2WD only so they are a bit different I'm sure.

 

[skiller1nc]

Oh, even when sitting still....ok that does make a difference.
Mine only squeaks in reverse.

If I find anything that could explain the noise you're hearing from your Xterra I'll post it back here.
I do all the service on mine but haven't had that issue (yet)

But both of them have had the shift selector bushing let go at bad times.
If yours hasn't I'd replace them anyway. (maybe you already have?)

Haha yes mine went out in a parking lot. I had to drive over their grass since I was in drive and couldn't go into reverse. I bought a 2 pack and have one spare in the car now.

 

[MaximumMini]

Haha yes mine went out in a parking lot. I had to drive over their grass since I was in drive and couldn't go into reverse. I bought a 2 pack and have one spare in the car now.

If only they had included some kind of clip to prevent the shift rod from actually slipping off the shaft even if the plastic bushing failed. One of the few really bad oversights on the XTerra imo.

I think I'll add a wire wrap as a safety catch. They use those extensively in aviation maintenance.