Noise from rear with passengers in '05 Pathfinder

[Shinobi326]

I'm curious if anyone might know the cause of this. I have a '05 Pathfinder LE 4x4 with 60k. My wife and I are usually the only passengers in the truck until this weekend when we had to use the 3rd row seating for the first time. The strange thing is that we hear this low roar/hollow noise (very hard to describe) that seems to occur when trying to accelerate. It sounds like it's coming from the drivetrain/rear differential or something, but I have no idea really. It only occurs when there is weight in the rear and/or lots of cabin weight.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

[Shinobi326]

Anyone? Bueller?

[Medic307]

Hi. In my past 1998 pathfinder, when I had the rear loaded with cargo or people, it made a whining/growling noise under acceleration was louder through slow dips. It never gave any problems, but just made the noise while loaded. When empty the noise was non-existent. I always thought while the back was bottomed out, it was just direct noise transfer from the axle to the frame. Hope this is helpful.

Ken (medic307)

[whitakersw]

I am having the same problem with my 2006 Pathfinder. I took it into the dealership and they stated it wasn't a problem and that it was fine to drive.

Is there anyone out there with the same problem, and can it be repaired?

[Shinobi326]

Thanks for the replies guys!

I sure hope it isn't a bad sign of things to come, but at least I'm not nervous enough to run out to get it checked out right away. I'll probably have a mechanic who knows these cars check it out on my next 60 service.

[Medic307]

Under load, the rubber in the rear trialing arms or stablizers are probably compressed more than usual and do not dampen noise as well as when the rear is not loaded.

I would not worry too much about the noise. Just like my old pathfinder that I owned till it had 350000KM, it is probably just a quirk of the vehicle due to how the rearend is set up.