Killing-me Noise from the back

[pat93]

I just got my first S14, 1996, Mile 93000 k.I really enjoy driving it. I've been waiting for this car since the summer.Unfortunately, every time I shift gear the noise is very obvious which itgradually kills me because I don't know what it is. I took every thing from truck and look around the back seat.. no lucknoise is haunting me every time I shift...

The seller told me that S14 usually have this noise.The noise is like when you slammed your fist onto the carpet floor so hard.(I'm so sorry for the way I describe the noise)the noise comes from around the back seat, seemingly not from the underthe car.

I have noticed that almost every time thatI change from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd the momentthat I 1. press clutch pedal --> noise ~~2. shift 3. release cluch & hit gas --> noise ~~

but if I gentlely press & release clutch including slowly hit gas, there is no noise. I drived my miata 1993 shift stick with the samehabit of shifting gear... I've never heard it.I also ask my friend to drive it... also hear noise.

I hope my question is make sense to all of you.I am not sure if I should sell this car because this strange noisemight cost me too much to fix it.

Please suggest.Patrick

[180fan]

you check the driveshaft's bearings?

[mun3]

you need new subframe bushings i had the exact same problem my passenger side rear bushing was ****ed i got subframe collars and now its better

[pat93]

yeah, today i went to the mech. shop.they also point to the subframe bushing as well.that kind of sound is called "Clunking Noise".

The estimation is 1000 - 1400 $ to replace the bushing.take 8hrs.

Any ideas.? i don't know what to do now.Can you guys toss me idea how is the price should be?or recommend me the shop in San Jose CA. that specialized in 240sx.

pLease advice

[LayNLow240]

if your mechanically inclined, you can do it yourself for cheap. all you need it some tools, a weekend, and another car(to take you to and from a machine shop, or other place that will press the bushings in/out)youll need to drop the rear subframe out completely, take it to a shop and have them press out the old bushings, and press in the new ones. then re install. not worth paying 1000-1400 for them to do it. just save yourself some money and do it yourself, or get some friends to help.

[pat93]

all right, can you guys recommend me a good subframe bushing.

I saw people talk about poly and aluminiumwhat is pro and con of them andwhich one is easier to install.

It would be great if you give me a picture of how it is look like. I searched around some product called itself bushing but it looks like a spacer to me..I don't know now how is it look?

Thanks.

[s14_240sx]

Instead of changing the subframe bushings completely you can buy subframe collars for $60. It takes around an hour to install them, and in my case got rid of the noise, and the rear end is much more tight (e.g no more wheel hop). I strongly recommend you do this first. look on ebay for the collars, and buy the ones that are slotted, it makes it much easier to install them.

[pat93]

look sweet.

I've check it out.

- How safety it is? seem like the top one (c-ring, slotted) could possibly come out to me.?- How long it can last?- will aluminum collar stop the clunking noise? - Which is the good brand of it?

pat

[crash n burn]

1000-1400 bucks..you've got to be ****ting me

take it out and do it yourself..2 days of down time is worth saving yourself an huge amount of money..

[jaytv1019]

I had the same noise and mine was the differential bushings. All I did was get some washers from Ace Hardware for like $5 and put them in my self. Took about 10 minutes.



I would check that first. It made the same sound yours did..

Later,

[pat93]

how about this one. not aluminium

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWD1V

Not sure if it is true that aluminium is noisy.non-aluminium is not last long like alum. but more quiet.

[ddgsxr504]

Sounds like subframe spacers to me as well but I would go ahead and replace your engine and transmission mounts as well.

[707]

i had the same thing... and lots of wheel hop. i just installed aluminum subframe bushings from SPL, took a long time without the right tools but it was worth it. no more clunk sound, and no wheel hop at all

[otterball21]

Yeah I have the same noise sometimes... I thought it was the shocks...and my struts are going out... I'm definitely going to look for these collars..

[pat93]

After I replaced the subframe with a brand new nissan subframe ($519), confirmed to you guys that the ****ing noise has been totally gone.I don't need to gently shift the gear to oppress the noise.whatever i do, it is no noise..

I do appreciate every comment & answer.Once I finished clean up & dress up on her.I would find some thread to post her pic.

Thanks again.

[HPF Chrisk]

i think this is the same issue i am having with my clunking sound. mine does it everytime you give it gas hard and everytime you shift, and i know its not the drive shaft

[pat93]

when i get my car inspected, my mechanic says that my drive shaft is new too..