Another attempt today to fix the "clunk"

[matt_a]

Welp...the V goes back to the dealership today for our second attempt to fix the clunk. The first time was about 6 months ago when they replaced a strut berring (or something like that). It seemed to help a lot at first, but the clunk eventually came back with a vengance. It's worse than ever now. In talking with the service manager, I basically said, "This problem is very common. Versa forums on the iternet are loaded with people who have this issue, but nobody seems to have a definate answer to exactly what it is. The car is still under full warranty so I will let you diagnose the problem...I just want it fixed." He agreed and it goes in this morning. I'll keep everyone posted here when I find out what they plan to do. Wish me luck!

[matt_a]

Just got off the phone with the service department. As I said earlier, instead of me trying to tell them what the problem might be (based on what I have read on this forum), I simply told them to figure it out. Anyhow, they are ordering in "the upper stereing column" to replace it. I get the car back today and they will call me to schedule the work when the part comes in. I sure hope this fixes it. We love the Versa for it's roominess, comfort and economy. But that *^!%#$@ clunk is enough to make me wish we had bought something else. If they can actually fix it this time, I'll be very happy.

[NODES]

lucky you, I have the Strut Klunk, Steering column knock and bad cvt fuel economy.....you are lucky.

[Driving Instructor]

lucky you, I have the Strut Klunk, Steering column knock and bad cvt fuel economy.....you are lucky.

me too!

[bluedragonsmama]

Matt, does the clunk occur when you apply your brakes while in reverse? Mine does it. Actually would like to ask you a question about the headlight bulb replacement you wrote back in 2007. I did a search and the info came up. Can't believe after searching the web for hours that I was lucky enough to find your instructions. I got the rubber gasket off, but can't figure out where to put pressure on the spring clips. I am not a dumb female but do I press them towards each other? I cannot figure it out and its driving me crazy. I am afraid the other side will burn out before I figure it out. Thanks.

[matt_a]

Matt, does the clunk occur when you apply your brakes while in reverse? Mine does it. Actually would like to ask you a question about the headlight bulb replacement you wrote back in 2007. I did a search and the info came up. Can't believe after searching the web for hours that I was lucky enough to find your instructions. I got the rubber gasket off, but can't figure out where to put pressure on the spring clips. I am not a dumb female but do I press them towards each other? I cannot figure it out and its driving me crazy. I am afraid the other side will burn out before I figure it out. Thanks.

The clunk occurs at low speeds like while parking or backing out of our garage especially if you turn the steering wheel. I'm not sure about braking while in reverse.

As for the headlight bulbs, it's been a while since I did that, but I think there is a spring on top and on the bottom of the bulb. You have to kind of squeeze them together (toward each other) and push in slightly to unhook them from the catch. If you can lean in with a flashlight to get a look at it after the rubber piece is off I think you will be able to see what I mean. Good luck!

[bluedragonsmama]

Thanks Matt. I finally got the headlight replaced. Once I got a good source of light, the spring clips were easy. They basically gets pushed to either side and then they bracket swings over the bulb. Kind of hard to do in such a small space but you do what you have to do. About the clunk, it usually happens when I reverse out of my driveway and then apply the brakes to put it into drive. Is this something that should be covered under the warranty? I'll watch your postings to see how you make out. Janet

[matt_a]

Glad to hear you got the bulb replaced. I just got a call from the Nissan service department. They are finished with the Versa. We'll pick it up today after work but we leave tonight to go on vacation, so I won't be able to tell you if it fixed the problem until we get back. If you're getting a similar knock or clunk, then yes..it should be covered under warranty. Mine was.

[Rodeo]

This "clunk" you guys speak of....I have one that seems like it could be a strut clunk on the front passenger side only when turning right into driveways or going over bumps at low speeds with the wheels cranked right. It annoys the stink out of me. Is this the same clunk?

[NODES]

This "clunk" you guys speak of....I have one that seems like it could be a strut clunk on the front passenger side only when turning right into driveways or going over bumps at low speeds with the wheels cranked right. It annoys the stink out of me. Is this the same clunk?

that was exactly the same thing I had, luckily the car hit a deep pot hole and it has not returned since.

To me it seems something from factory is not compressed or tighten properly.

[matt_a]

This "clunk" you guys speak of....I have one that seems like it could be a strut clunk on the front passenger side only when turning right into driveways or going over bumps at low speeds with the wheels cranked right. It annoys the stink out of me. Is this the same clunk?

That's the one. So far we've had a strut berring replaced and now the upper steering column. The clunk seems to be gone for now, but I'm not holding my breath. It was "fixed" after the strut berring too but it came back. I don't know if I'm just so used to having it or what but I could almost swear I felt it slightly one time last night. We'll see. The car is still under full warranty so I will take it in 100 times if I have to. It WILL be fixed.

[Juelze]

I finally had this issue resolved on my 07 (has 33,000 miles). I took it in once and the dealer found no issue. Brought it in again and they replaced the front strut mounts and that didn't fix it. Brought it in again and they replace the steering shaft assembly and the issue was fixed. Thank god as my warranty is almost ready to expire.

So far my Versa had to have:

Fuel pump regular thingy replacedTPMS firmware updateSteering shaft assembly replaced

Oh well, hopefully this is the last issue because otherwise it's a nice little car.

[jwerty1]

lower steering shaftit is a known issue with nissan engineersim a nissan techand I own a versathe first one I worked on i replaced the strut top bearings because nissan has a technical service bulletin out on those, which, the description in the TSB is exactly the same as the noise from the lower steering shaft, the lower shaft take a couple of minutes to replace and fixes the "clunk" everytime

[matt_a]

lower steering shaftit is a known issue with nissan engineersim a nissan techand I own a versathe first one I worked on i replaced the strut top bearings because nissan has a technical service bulletin out on those, which, the description in the TSB is exactly the same as the noise from the lower steering shaft, the lower shaft take a couple of minutes to replace and fixes the "clunk" everytime

Thanks for that info! I assume the lower steering shaft is a different part than the "upper steering column" which was just relplaced on ours...right? If so I might have to go back again. Like I said earlier, the clunck seems to be 95% gone right now, but I do still feel a slight knock. Any chance you can post the part number to the steering shaft you're talking about?

[jwerty1]

i'll try to remember to get that part number for youim not sure if the upper column comes with the lower shaft or not, i believe it might which is why we did have some techs putting the whole column in, however, the only part really needed is the lowerplease give nissan a break on this setup, its a completely electronic steering system(lightweight, less stress on the engine, no power steering fluid or pump...), notice how easy it is in parking lotsthey'll get the kinks out by 2010, but we'll be here as nissan techs to fix them right, or try until we do, at least i do

[clone]

I had what I thought was more of a 'tink' as compared to a 'clunk' and took the V to my dealer. Thanks to this site, I at least knew something was wrong. I had never been able to duplicate the noise but the car will be out of warrenty in a couple of monthes and I was nevous about it.

The dealer is Woodhouse Nissan in Bellvue, NE. The mechanic drove it and heard both a clunk and the tink. He diagnosed it as needing something in the steering system and new strut bearings. Took him 20 minutes. I didn't ask the part numbers.

Otherwise, no problems with the car.

[clone]

The dealer installed new upper strut bearings as per a TSB, and well as a steering shaft as per another TSB.

Within 200 miles, I've heard two more tinks. Since the warrenty will be up on February 7, I visited with the dealer and he suggested I call Nissan. I now have somethng on file that I reported another "tink," that it might be caused by the sub-zero weather and that we will revist it in the summer time.

I thought I was treated with respect by both the dealer and the corporate contacts.

But, we'll see.

Like the car.

[CodeRed]

I don't know if some of you old timers remember but I owned a '07 Versa that had the "clunk" as well.

I'm sure if you search some of he older topics started by me you can find much more information and a in depth list and order of the events.

Numerous suspension parts were replaced, some under warranty some not.

The clunk happened when I was turning right into a parking lot (over a gutter or little bump.) It also happened over speed bumps. But the sound I remembered the most was a snapping noise that I got on camera some time back.

The snap occurred when I was backing out of my drive way while my wheel was turned. Once the front wheels hit the gutter a loud snap would occur. Here is a video of my old versa, sorry about the shooting conditions (darkness) but it gets the point across. In the video I am backing out of my drive way going over a water channel (gutter) with the wheel slightly turned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-cUKRNIlCA

That car no longer owned by me. Nissan USA bought it back after Lemon Laws. Again, search older topics by myself an you will find the whole "smheel"