04' Murano grinding noise at low speed turning (both ways)

[lindycu]

I recently put new tires on my 04 Murano AWD (@48k) and not shortly after that the car started making a grinding/slipping sound when making tight turns at low speeds (e.g. parking, turning onto road from driveway, etc.) The AWD lock is not active, but it's not as bad as locking AWD and trying to do the same turns?

Car is due for 60k mile service, so aside from changing CVT transmission fluid, Differential gear oil, transfer fluid etc....could this be a bigger problem (i.e. drivetrain, transmission)?

Thanks.

[nafddur]

Car is due for 60k mile service, so aside from changing CVT transmission fluid, Differential gear oil, transfer fluid etc....could this be a bigger problem (i.e. drivetrain, transmission)?

The noise aside, NONE of these get changed at a mere 60K miles - even if you are following the Schedule 1 (severe condition) maintenance schedule.

The only things anyone should be recommending for your car at 60K might be a coolant change and new accessory belts (and maybe a CVT fluid check, but not a change). Since someone is giving you bad maintenance info, maybe you really didn't need tires at only 48K as well. Were your tires really shot with only 48K on them?

Still, this doesn't address your turning noise. Don't think I've heard of that one with Mo's right after putting new tires on them. Sorry, maybe someone else can help with that one.

[donaldo74]

first thing would be to check your power steering fluid levels

[lindycu]

I suppose you get 100k on a set of tires? And you may want to read the recommended schedule for changes, along with know something about the 04's...sorry that you feel the need to flame at a post.

For those interested, it's not a grinding sound from the steering, it's as though the AWD system is trying to adjust power to the wheels (or sending more than it should (like when in AWD Lock).

[lindycu]

Power steering fluid is good (Color and Level)

Given I have 6k left on the powertrain, I'm at the point where I'll take a chance to take it to the dealer locally and have them check as the transfer case, transmission, etc. are still covered.

Sadly, I'll stick to my Titan forums where idiots do not come on here and believe that all tires should last 50k. Personally, the Goodyears that came on the 2004 - I was surprised they lasted to 45k.

[nafddur]

I suppose you get 100k on a set of tires? And you may want to read the recommended schedule for changes, along with know something about the 04's...sorry that you feel the need to flame at a post.

Not flaming at all. Just providing you facts (which you sorely need). Check the maintenance schedule pages MA-6 through MA-10 in Volume 4 of the 04 FSM. I double checked the FSM before responding to your earlier post.

Sometimes people thinking about buying cars like the Mo check forums such as these. We don't want to give them bad info (like our cars need lots of fluid changes at 60K miles).

And while I don't think anyone will get 100K on the factory GY's, I got over 60K (and could have stretched them easily another 10K). I've heard of other people going 70 - and even 80K - on the original tires as well. Then again, I've heard of people who drive their cars so hard that they've worn out the original tires even earlier than you did.

I maintain my tire pressures carefully and rotate tires regularly (like at every oil change). So I get lots more life out of my tires than many people. Hey - it's a free country. You want to wear out tires prematurely, knock yourself out. It's your $$.

Fluid changes (other than coolant maybe, though I'd never do that that early either) are a waste of $$ at 60K.

[nafddur]

Sadly, I'll stick to my Titan forums where idiots do not come on here and believe that all tires should last 50k. Personally, the Goodyears that came on the 2004 - I was surprised they lasted to 45k.

Lots of Murano owners have gotten more than 50K out of the GY Eagle LS's. Certainly not all - it all depends on how one drives and maintains his tires.

I'm not saying your tires weren't shot at only 48K, Lindy. Just that since you got bad fluid change info, maybe you got bad tire info too. That's all.

Hey, I met a lady last week who told me she paid $900 to get new rear brakes on her Mo with only 70K miles on it (I just did the brakes on all 4 wheels on my daughter's Quest for $60). I doubt the lady was lying to me - who would make THAT up! Just that she got ripped off.

[KJSmitty]

Well,I would have to disagree as well with ya nafddur. Many people do come to forums for info. Many come to post recommendations. The problem is, like you and I, they are just opinions. Unless you know and understand SPECIFICALLY a particular owners vehicle, driving style and most importantly local driving environment/road conditions, you can't give more than suggestions.

As for tires as an example: I would kill for 48K miles on a set of "good performing tires"! :-) Here in TX, I have yet to have a tire last "near" what it was rated to. I've literally received prorated warranty on the last three sets that I have purchased. Is it my vehicle or driving style? Absolutely not - but the stop and go commutes, extremely hot weather/pavement etc kills them. So enough with tire performance - the fact is you have done well yet others will "vary". :-)

As for Mx schedules at 60K.... After being a Nissan (and 4 other auto manufacture/brands) tech for over 8 years I can tell you my "opinion/recommendation" would have been to change all those (gear) fluids well before 60K. Now, many years ago vehicles and manufacturing processes weren't as clean and precise as they are today, yet the first change is still the most critical. And that's based of of my own experience as a tech (seeing why) and fact. I still perform 95% of the Mx on all of my vehicles so besides my valuable time the cost is minuscule - it's just one of my hobbies (sounds like you may be the same).

So, telling someone they are getting ripped off for a 60K mile fluid change isn't quite accurate when speaking the "interval" issue. But, if you were to say they are getting ripped off by having the dealer do it I would tend to agree. Easy for me to say however - I have the knowledge, tools and facility to make it happen myself. Others do not.

As for the front end noise - definitely have it checked. It sounds like you have an idea of what it sounds/appears to be. CVT/transfer case/system issue. Or maybe when they installed your tires they messed up one or both of the wheel sensors that talk to the AWD system - or it could just be worn out CV joints etc.

Good luck and check back in and let us know. Someone else will definitely benefit from your experience etc.

Cheers

Happy Memorial Day all!!!

[lindycu]

As someone who has a certified ASE/ASM mechanic, the only fluid under question on the Murano is the ATF - Nissan recommends 100k. If you look at the service manual, you will see PREMIUM recommends the fluids I mentioned above at 60k, including ATF.

As for tires, when you have a new born, and a wife driving said newborn, you tend to error on the side of caution. I travel and won't always be available. I also personally hate Goodyear tires, but the OEM's were the best Goodyears I've ever had. I felt getting 48k out of them was good, given that they spent there time in Minnesota, South Carolina, and yes, I drive my cars harder than most, and wife drives in a lot of stop and go traffic.

Onto the follow-up on the issue, given the Murano had ~6k left on the powertrain, I took it to the dealer, and it was determined by first diagnosis that the rear diff was bad, after replacing - they also determined the drive shaft had a loss U joint, so they replaced that. Guess I only hope the AT and transfer case goes bad in less than 5k so I can have nearly a completely new drivetrain (minus the engine).

I'll be doing a complete fluid change and maintenace this weekend with my friend, including the AT - I guess I'm a bit old school and don't see how anyone would want to go 100k on the same transmission fluid. I personally believe the rear diff failed because the vehicle needed to have this fluid changed earlier than "manufacturer suggests"

I do appreciate the feedback (good or bad), look forward sharing any thoughts or intell on the Murano as I have on the titan forums with my 05 Titan 4x4.

Have a great weekend.

[nafddur]

If you look at the service manual, you will see PREMIUM recommends the fluids I mentioned above at 60k, including ATF.

I stand corrected. The 04 FSM does recommend changing the transfer case and diff oil (but not the ATF fluid - that gets changed only if the Consult analysis isn't available or shows the fluid has deteriorated) at 30K miles - not even 60K - if you are subjecting your car to severe driving conditions.

But those of us drving our Mos not as trucks but as the modified Altimas they are (ie not towing, using car-top carriers or driving on rough or muddy roads) merely inspect those fluids at 60K.

Knowing the kind of a car I bought, I don't even drive our Mo on the ocean beach sand - something allowed in the town I live in if one has 4 or AWD.