Clicking in front driver side wheel well

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mcxstar01
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Clicking in front driver side wheel well

Postby mcxstar01 » Sun Jul 19, 2009 11:58 am

Guys I'm perflexed as to what is making a clicking noise in my front driver side wheel well.

I only hear the clicking when driving at slow speeds with my window down. I've noticed that it clicks regardless of whether I'm turning the wheels or driving straight.

It's definitely not a rock in the treads. Any ideas? I'm not familiar with bearings or anything like that, could it be bearing related? I just recently got my front tires changed out.


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mcxstar01
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Postby mcxstar01 » Sun Jul 19, 2009 2:40 pm

Nevermind to the clicking in the front driver wheel well. I jacked the car up enough to rotate the wheel and tracked down where the noise was originating from.

My front drive shaft U joint between the drive shaft and the transfer case flange is loose when I rotate the drive shaft by hand. I'm suspecting the U joint bearings are shot.

I guessing this isn't a big deal unless I use 4 wheel drive, because the pathfinder is rear wheel drive when in 2 wheel drive, correct?

Has anyone replaced this joint? (not necessarily on a pathfinder but a vehicle in general) What is involved and how hard is it to replace this piece? Thanks.

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xd9-g19
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Postby xd9-g19 » Sun Jul 19, 2009 2:56 pm

Here is a good how to from and Xterra site.
http://www.thenewx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=19209

I just recently did mine, both of them seeing as I had the whole drive shaft out anyways, it took about 2.5 hrs and instead of using the tool like in the link, I just used a BFH and a couple of sockets.

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mcxstar01
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Postby mcxstar01 » Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:56 am

xd9-g19 wrote:I just recently did mine, both of them seeing as I had the whole drive shaft out anyways, it took about 2.5 hrs and instead of using the tool like in the link, I just used a BFH and a couple of sockets.
What is a BFH?

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disallow
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Postby disallow » Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:20 am

mcxstar01 wrote:
xd9-g19 wrote:I just recently did mine, both of them seeing as I had the whole drive shaft out anyways, it took about 2.5 hrs and instead of using the tool like in the link, I just used a BFH and a couple of sockets.
What is a BFH?
BIG F^%#^& HAMMER

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xd9-g19
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Postby xd9-g19 » Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:59 am

disallow wrote:
mcxstar01 wrote:
xd9-g19 wrote:I just recently did mine, both of them seeing as I had the whole drive shaft out anyways, it took about 2.5 hrs and instead of using the tool like in the link, I just used a BFH and a couple of sockets.
What is a BFH?
BIG F^%#^& HAMMER

X2 what he said

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mcxstar01
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Postby mcxstar01 » Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:20 pm

Once I take out the drive shaft, if need be can I drive it? These pathfinders are rear wheel drive when in 2WD right?

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Postby disallow » Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:12 pm

mcxstar01 wrote:Once I take out the drive shaft, if need be can I drive it? These pathfinders are rear wheel drive when in 2WD right?
I was told that driving without the front impeller shaft is OK.

t

G35TR
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Postby G35TR » Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:54 pm

Nice. I was just about to start a post inquiring about a ticking noise coming from the front at slow speeds. I did suspect it was coming from the front drive shaft, but I have a question for you.

My ticking noise goes away when I engage 4WD. Does yours?

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mcxstar01
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Postby mcxstar01 » Wed Jul 29, 2009 8:42 pm

I never gave that a try. I would imagine the clicking would go away when in 4WD just because that torque applied to the front driveshaft would prevent any play between the U-joints and eliminate any clicking.

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Postby Captain » Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:02 am

CV half shafts when they go bad they click with a metal to metal sound. It changed with the speed of the truck and does not change when turning. I had them go bad on my Chevy after a wheeling trip. I snapped one of the clips that hold the bearing to the shaft and it was binding up. Just a thought.

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Postby G35TR » Fri Jan 01, 2010 8:43 am

xd9-g19 wrote:Here is a good how to from and Xterra site.
http://www.thenewx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=19209

I just recently did mine, both of them seeing as I had the whole drive shaft out anyways, it took about 2.5 hrs and instead of using the tool like in the link, I just used a BFH and a couple of sockets.
XD9, how the hell did you get the flange bolts off? I'm dead in the water, with no choice but to take her somewhere now. They are on so tight, I'll do nothing but round the nut off (which I've already done to one now). Not being able to get anything but an open ended wrench in there is what is killing me.

I love how the FSM shows only an impact wrench and air ratchet to do this job, neither of which would actually even be able to get in there and get these flang bolts off. Arrrgggg! I'm so pissed now. The FSM says to tighten them to 44lbs when reassembling. Not sure how tight they actually are on there now, but it's a hell of a lot more then 44!! I swear they do this **** intentionally so people can't work on their own vehicles these days!!

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disallow
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Postby disallow » Fri Jan 01, 2010 12:21 pm

G35TR wrote:
xd9-g19 wrote:Here is a good how to from and Xterra site.
http://www.thenewx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=19209

I just recently did mine, both of them seeing as I had the whole drive shaft out anyways, it took about 2.5 hrs and instead of using the tool like in the link, I just used a BFH and a couple of sockets.
XD9, how the hell did you get the flange bolts off? I'm dead in the water, with no choice but to take her somewhere now. They are on so tight, I'll do nothing but round the nut off (which I've already done to one now). Not being able to get anything but an open ended wrench in there is what is killing me.

I love how the FSM shows only an impact wrench and air ratchet to do this job, neither of which would actually even be able to get in there and get these flang bolts off. Arrrgggg! I'm so pissed now. The FSM says to tighten them to 44lbs when reassembling. Not sure how tight they actually are on there now, but it's a hell of a lot more then 44!! I swear they do this **** intentionally so people can't work on their own vehicles these days!!
G35, are you using impact? The ones on my 05 came off with little effort, and I'm in the salt belt.

Short of that, I'm thinking penetrating oil? Some Zep 45 would do the trick. On both sides, its the end of the bolt thats stuck...

As for the rounded bolt, if its not salvageable, you can drill it. I've found that Nissan is pretty reasonable for fastener replacement through their parts departments... Not like my honda!

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Postby eieio » Fri Jan 01, 2010 12:57 pm

G35TR, have you tried removing the nuts first, rather than the bolts?
It looks like there is enough room to get a box wrench or a socket onto the flange nuts.
Also, a heat gun to warm up those fasteners may be of benefit.

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Postby KEVSTER » Fri Jan 01, 2010 1:13 pm

mcxstar01 wrote:
xd9-g19 wrote:I just recently did mine, both of them seeing as I had the whole drive shaft out anyways, it took about 2.5 hrs and instead of using the tool like in the link, I just used a BFH and a couple of sockets.
What is a BFH?
:lol: I guess he just got educated. LMAO.


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