Clock Spring Keeps Dieing, Dealer Can't Figure it Out, Please Help

[kerrton]

I have a problem with my 2008 Rogue that my delear service guys are unable to solve.

I have a creaking in the steering wheel, presumably coming from the clock spring/spiral cable. It has been replaced 3 times and the noise just keeps coming back after a few weeks of driving, and the noise is much worse in cold weather. They've also replaced the steering wheel, and air bag but no luck.

The 4th time they attempted the fix, I left with a new and weird rattle-type noise in the steering column or steering wheel, all I have to do is tap the steering wheel to hear it, and when the CVT kicks into the high gearing at low speeds the vibration causes the steering wheel to rattle like crazy, I'm talking really loud and it's shocking as hell.

Any ideas what could be causing the clock springs to keep getting destroyed? I'm thinking something in the steering column must be out of spec/alignment, and perhaps they have to start looking at the bigger picture, possibly the entire steering column? I know that's a big job but this problem could really drive me nuts after the warranty is over (it's bad enough now), and scare away buyers if and when I decide to sell privately.

Any thoughts on this from a technician with experience would be greatly appreciated, thanks so much.

[revoltrise]

I have seen this problem a couple times in 08-09 Altimas and Sentras and found the noise was actually originating at the steering rack itself. Ask the dealer, or try yourself if you have the equipment to jack the car up, to listen right at the base of the lower steering joint where it meets the rack. There's a rubber boot down there and right below it is where the noise has been the loudest.