The Nissan Path

So I'm getting a rather disconcerting and worsening shuddering through the whole chassis (but not the steering wheel) under acceleration, starting around 45-50mph and seeming to go away a little bit as I approach 75.

It doesn't seem to be RPM related or gear related, as it doesn't change pitch/frequency as RPM or gears change.

IT DOES change pitch/frequency a little bit as speed increases

It ALSO seem to get slightly better if I switch to 4wd hi.

It DOES worsten as I increase throttle

And it DISAPPEARS when I let off the gas. It ONLY occurs under acceleration.

All U joints replaced May 2011.



These lead me to think it may be something in the rear drivetrain.... Differential? Driveshaft?

Any possible leads/advice?

'05 SE V6 w/ approx 152k miles.

by-passed?

U-joint

Wheel bearing/hub assembly?

eieio wrote:by-passed?

Yes. Bypassed since about 84k miles.

disallow wrote:U-joint

That was another thought and that's what I'm hoping it is. I replaced them myself but I can't remember when... couple of years ago maybe? It was a cheap fix & easy enough to do myself, but I dunno if that's it... I have my doubts.....

volvite wrote:Wheel bearing/hub assembly?

Hrm... maybe. Just did the front bearings, perhaps the rears are going. But I would think the noise/vibration would continue after I let off the gas, no?

Does it change while truning right-left?
If yes, I would bet on wheelbearings.
If not would check the u-joints, probably one of the front driveshaft.

I've done u-joints of front driveshaft twice and rear onec once. Also I've replaced all wheelbearings, front once and rear twice

Path has 165 000km

U-joints and/or bent front driveshaft...

Doesn't change with left/right turning.


Hmm... so you guys are thinking FRONT Ujoints or driveshaft? Even though it's WORSE in RWD than it is in 4WD?

So weird... Found the thread I made back when I originally replaced the U Joints in May of 2011 with 91,500 (now has 152k)...
http://www.thenissanpath.com/viewtopic. ... ght=joints


Symptoms were completely the opposite.

Then: only heard it at HIGH speeds and only on decel... got worse in 4wd.
Now: only hear it at LOWER speeds and only on accel... gets better in 4wd.


I don't get it...

I'm thinking its a wheel bearing.

Well it's not the front bearings cuz I just did those in November.

I'll double check turning left/right again to be sure.


Just really odd that it stops completely when I let off the throttle.

I'd jack up each wheel and try and spin the wheel to see if you can recreate the noise if it is a possible wheel bearing.

oreogaborio wrote:Doesn't change with left/right turning.


Hmm... so you guys are thinking FRONT Ujoints or driveshaft? Even though it's WORSE in RWD than it is in 4WD?

Those are the ones that typically go out. The front drive shaft still turns in 2WD or 4WD.

When one of my front U-joints went the drive shaft warped at the same time. But that U-joint went really bad really fast, as in I could feel lots of play in it while attached to the truck. The shop replaced the joint but the rumble was still there, so they ended up finally discovering the bent shaft.

Of course in the service manual checking shaft run out comes right along with replacing U-joints...

ShipFixer wrote:Those are the ones that typically go out. The front drive shaft still turns in 2WD or 4WD.

Right, but it's not being put under any stress in 2wd.... Hrm. Oh well, what would I know, I just replace the things, I don't engineer em.

Anyway, it's a job that's easy enough. All I need are the parts & another warm day like today. Hopefully I can knock them out soon cuz it's getting worse.