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Topic: Mild clunking sound at low speeds

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Steelydanfan
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Posted: Mar 10 2017 at 5:25pm \| IP Logged

Greetings, I am the original owner of a 2011 SV V6 CC,
2WD with trailer towing package. 74,000 trouble free
miles, city , highway, towing my 1914 Model T in an
enclosed trailer. This truck has not complained until
recently, and a mild complaint at that.

I hear a subtle "clunk" at low speeds, braking to a
soft stop, accelerating gently, sometimes just going
over a speed bump at low speeds will elicit a soft
"click/clunk."

I have had all of the fluids changed regularly,
including brake fluid, the mechanic said I am at 50% of
original brake pads front and rear. Remarkably, the
ORIGINAL BF Goodrich Long Trail T/A tires are due to be
retired next week at 74,000 miles.

I suspect the driveline, specifically, the U-Joints.
Are there two ? Can any Frontier owner/mechanic shed
any light on this issue? Any other signs/sounds of U-
joint/driveline wear ?

Thanks for your response in advance.

Best,

Steelydanfan

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lakota
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Posted: Mar 10 2017 at 8:34pm \| IP Logged

..

There is probably a little play in the U-joints and the ring and pinion gear. If it were me I'd crawl under a feel for play by twisting the drive shaft and signs of poor lube in the U-joints.

Also change the ring and pinion gear oil and look for metal dust in it.

Good Luck.. Don S..

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PLEASE >>> A SIG similar to mine can be VERY HELPFUL to all the members!
'99 4x4 3.3 Frontier Se KC Auto, 48,000 miles
'76 4x4 401 Wagoneer QT
'04 FWD 1.8 Sentra '08 FWD 2.4 Camry LE
Fort Worth

Rubble
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Posted: Mar 19 2017 at 4:10am \| IP Logged

If it's a Universal Joint,, there should be vibration associated with that. Like Lakota said,, check the rear axle oil level. How many miles on current rear axle oil? Are you able to touch the Oil through the Oil Filler Hole?

What is the Summer Time Ambient Temperature where you live? What Weight Rear Axle Oil have you been useing?

With Transmission in Neutral and Parking Brake off, Jack up the Rear of the Truck,, and Rotate the Rear Wheel's back and forth. Do you hear the Clunking Sound?

Check the Spare Tire,, that it is all the way up, and no slack to see, if it might be makeing the clunking noise.

I sure hope that your Rear Axle Oil hasn't gotten too low.

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2013 SV V6 Frontier KC/AT/2WD; Previous 20 yrs ~ '93 I4 Hardbody KC/AT/2WD, Sold.

erawson9
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Posted: Apr 09 2017 at 10:55pm \| IP Logged

The problem can be associated to the torque converter in the trans also but in most cases, a bad U-joint is the culprit.

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