2008 Nissian Sentra Noise issue

[meg81]

Hi Everyone,

I just bought a 2008 Sentra last week. I have been hearing a noise with the car, it sounds like "clank" THis happens if I have to turn sharply, I really hear it when I have reverse and cut the wheel sharply out of a parking spot. It doesn't happen when I am reversing or turning it is when the wheel is straighting back out and I am acelerating. WHat is wierd is that it doesn't happen everytime. The main time I notice is if I park the car, go shopping, into work, etc for about 30 minutes or more and then return to the car. Any suggestions on what it might be? I called the dealer they told me to bring it in, when I do of course it won't make the noise and they looked at me like I was stupid. I have been reading some of the other post and it seems like there are several "noise issues" with the car..... I didn't expect mine to start only a few short days after I purchased. I don't think I noticed it before because people were talking, radio was on, I was excited to have a new car etc. I am going to take it back to the dealer again but wondered if someone could give me a headsup on things it could be or things I should have the dealer check. Thanks!!!

[nametakennow]

Welcome to NICO!

We've had several members with the same problem. - zerothread/285355

A Nissan dealer should fix the steering rack for you for free.

[linz27]

Meg81,

I have this same problem with my 2008 Sentra! It is strange, because the noise is not consistent. I've taken my car to the dealer twice and had the mechanics listen to the noise. However, they have yet to find the source of the noise. Did you have any success?

[sherri09]

I have the same car same noise I've only had it 6 months I took it to the dealer ship three weeks ago for them to look at it they told me that it was the strut bearings I said okay so they had to order the parts I then took it back last week, to have the new parts put on, I then drove it home the next day I heard the noise again so they don't even know what's wrong with it so i'm going to give them a call again tomorrow to let them know. I really don't know what it is but the car should not be having any noise it's new.

[nametakennow]

Check the thread I posted, it could be your steering column or a motor mount.

[meg81]

My noise issue actually is normal. It is the automatic Braking System self test. The clunk noise that I found abnormal is fully explained in the owners manual pg 5-24. It is a paragraph under Self-Test feature. I found this noise strange in my car b/c I had never heard it in any other car I had ever owned. I was worried that something was wrong with my Sentra and when I called about it to the dealership and took it in they didn't know what it was. It was not until I read the book and then called to the nissan specialist to actually get the correct answer. Since you replied to my first post when I first wrote about my noise maybe this could be yours also. If you take it into the dealership for work bring this up and see what they say. I wouldn't want them to take apart your car if not necessary.

[sherri09]

Thank you meg I'll look that up in the owners manual maybe that's it and there's nothing wrong with it but i'll let them know when I take it back to them Wed. thanks for the info.

[bobbychet]

Kinda weird that a new car is having problems and I'm glad it's just not me!I was hearing a clunking sound on medium bumps comming from the right front of my 2008 Sentra. I thought the batery might be loose or something.Finally looking under the hood I realized the batterys on the left side ,well it wasn't that. I took her to Nissan and the right strut was bad? I wish I could've talked to the tech that replaced the strut to find out if if was just a manufacter defect or what.Of course Nissan fixed it for free. Bobby

[SpecDRacing]

MEG81,

I am a technician for Nissan and hopefully I can help you out a bit. I haven't seen your particular problem come through my shop yet, but I have seen one part in particular that might be suspect. The front engine mount on the 2008 Sentra (where the timing chain cover meets the passenger fender well) could very well cause what you are describing. Tipically, if you open your hood, look to the left of the engine at that mount, it might have a black greasy looking substance oozing out of it. I can't promise you that this is your problem but I can tell you to have them check it. I have seen this mount cause popping noises, clunking noises (especially from reverse to drive and turning) and in one case it sounded like the tire was rubbing the inner fender liner (it was so bad that it was causing the passenger axle to bind).

Again, I can't promise anything, but I think this might be a good place to look. Dealers don't like outside advice, most technicians get their pride hurt....but a truly good technician is open to advice as long as it is reasonable.

Hope you get it fixed....they really are great cars!

[TECHLINE08]

sometimes those ABS self checks can get loud while others are not so noticeable, all is normal

[SpecDRacing]

Do you actually work for techline? Your located in NC, yet Techline is in Nashville. Just curious. Not flaming or anything. I had interviewed for a techline job when Nissan moved it's headquarters to TN, but didn't have enough qualifications. Had a good recommendation too....it was a bummer, but thats ok. Maybe later.

[pm_page6776]

I have run into this problem with several 08 sentras. Happens when the steering wheel is turned sharply and you accelerate. There is a dull "clunk" noise. The intermediate shaft (lower portion onf the stering column) has a flex fitting. When the wheels are turned sharply and you accelerate, the flex fitting is bottoming out. What i am doing to fix the issue is loosen the lower bolt on the intermediate shaft, raise joint, and tighten the bolt back down.

[SpecDRacing]

pm_page6776,

Good information. I haven't run into that yet, but that could save me some time. I'll let the guys in the shop know. Thanks!

[meg81]

Linz27,

Did you have any success? My one noise that I had concern with has been found normal (ABS self test) Now I have started to hear another noise. When reverse and turn the wheel to the left then come out of the turn to accelerate I hear a rattling coming from what seems like the front passenger side of the car. I only happens when the car has been sitting for a while and has a chance to cool down.( normally when I park for the night and leave for work in the morning) No other time do I notice it. I called to schedule for Nissan to look at it and when I explained the issue over the phone, he told me it sounds normal. I'm not sure how it can be normal if it didn't happen before.

[ser-steve]

ok so my 08 spec-v has the steering rack issue and to lay it all out

at first notice a shutter kind of sliding on water turning type noise when i go hard left while sitting still [not enough ballz to try that on the highway :-p]

anyway i blow it off after reading forums and hearing more problems after replaced

well then a few times i start the car no power steering, off and on again couple of times and it kicks in but imbetween when i move the it will growl mown and kick both ways like a 2 year old has ahold of my steeringwheel

well to my advantage my unkle sold me the car and is pretty respectable up at the dealership so i usually get treated well

i finally turn the car in as its pissing me off cause it happens every 2 or 3 days now

they tell me about how the elec PS works they got a machine they hook to it and it has internal g sensors so they can electronically level the sucker back out and im thinking sure thats neat but mine dont work

now i took it in with no light nada my unkle kep them from giving it back although in this case if you cant get the light have them cut the wheel hard left and they should feel it acting up

when they ran the diagnostic they found that my PS was shorting out on something internal to the workings

this is where it got iffy they had me return the rental to pick up my car today sat saying my car is perfectly driveable [almost correct]and the part should be here tuesday

hopefully it will not clank and jangle when i get it back like others have said but if it does i will give it right the hell back

my thing is what if the damn ps went out or started acting childish during a left turn in traffic if it caused an accident wouldnt nissan be liable since they gave it back saying it was driveable?

well i know i couldnt get them to change thier mind from the mechanics so my unkle said bring it in with a dry tank and he will "compensate" my multiple trips for this issue as the dealer is about an hour from my house

at least they are keeping me happy right

[Godofelru]

Our sentra's are infamous for odd noises coming from everywhere and they never seem to be consistent enough to duplicate in front of the dealer.

I see you're up in Mount Holly, I'm a little further south towards deptford and glassboro. Which dealership have you taken your too that hey are willing to help out? I've personally dealt with Woodbury and I feel that they are not willing to ever help out or even research anything.

hell for the recall they had my car for a month and I had to fight tooth and nail to get a rental so I could go to class and work.

[ser-steve]

well isnt life just out to get me

i get my car friday into the shop at noonish back out at 5pmso far all is well new PS makes absolutely no noise what so ever in any condition given so far no rain to test in yet

but damn it all im driving back to work from the dealer and a fkin dog jumps out infront of me lil prik lived but took out my fog light riped out the fender liner and cracked the bottom of the bumper [not visible] and shat on my car to top it off

so one trip to the scrap yard to sell some copper and i got my 200 for replacement parts and get this

the liner and clips were no problem but ordered fog light and it didnt matchimmieadtly im wtf and dude says this is for your year model and so i showed him the remnence of my old light and he goes on to tell me it was installed after market

so we have re ordered that by the part number off the old oneso fyi if your fog light has a like 45 degree angle on driver side its 26155 but mine was round like your typical light soft and had 3 screws not 2 and its part 26154 luckily its still one of thier parts but its listed as being for the other side of the car.... we will see how this goes

if all else fails im gonna walk2 wrecks 1 recall and 1 warentee repair all in less than 1 yr or 10k miles

still not giving the car back... if its a lemon they can give me a GTR so i can jizz myself everytime i leave the driveway

[jdansmith]

I have run into this problem with several 08 sentras. Happens when the steering wheel is turned sharply and you accelerate. There is a dull "clunk" noise. The intermediate shaft (lower portion on the stering column) has a flex fitting. When the wheels are turned sharply and you accelerate, the flex fitting is bottoming out. What i am doing to fix the issue is loosen the lower bolt on the intermediate shaft, raise joint, and tighten the bolt back down.

Took my 08 Sentra in for the MC recall today and I had printed your fix for the steering clunk. The service writer gave it to the tech and after 2 hrs and 15 min. problem solved! Thats with the MC replaced also. Thanks for the post, no telling how much time you saved me. Benson in Spartanburg has my business as long as they continue to take care of me. Its refreshing to deal with a business that is receptive!!!Thanks again!