Noise Like a Rock Hits Windshield When Turn, Not Funny Noise

[darthRogue09th]

Hi all,

My low millage Rogue '09 has been generated a clicking sound from the windshield near pillar A on passenger side from time to time, mostly when I park the car, start, and make a turn. Also, when I make any turn. It sounds like a small rock hits the windshield. Last year, I took it to a Nissan dealer, which it was still under warranty. The dealer told me the sound is normal.

Now, it is more noticeable. Here are my thoughts:

• - Part of lower windshield contact the body.

• - Other parts near the area like strut making the noise.

• - Metal frame twisted.

Does anyone have this problem?

Thanks,

Darth Rogue

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Is the vehicle still under warranty, or did they document the case when you brought it to the dealership?

I'd bring it back even if it isn't under warranty. If they try to pull that "its no longer under warranty sir", I would flip a b**** and tell them you had it in years ago for the same issue. Remind them why Nissan was dead last in dealer-customer satisfaction ratings.

[darthRogue09th]

They told me it just out of warranty, only a month more than 3 years, but the mileage is less than 20K. The last service was documented about the noise and the dealer told me it was normal.

I called to the original dealer about the problem and now they told me I have to pay $125 for diagnostic and if it is the front strut bearings problem I have to pay about $600 more.

So, I called another dealer and the price went up to $1100.

So, I called another one, this one is far away, but has good rating. The dealer told me the diagnostic is free. So, I set up an appointment with them next month. Now, I am gathering information about the windshield noise when turn problem. The noise comes from the windshield above the dashboard near the pillar A area.


(Not my car image)

Darth Rogue

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Ugh... f*** Nissan dealers. God they suck.

Break their windows and tell them its normal. See how they like it.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Have you popped off your A-pillar yet? There might be something loose in there (not shot from the factory). It could be serious... like airbag not secured serious.

[CTM Nismo]

If its like what I experianced, I think its transmission or drivetrain related. The 2010 Rogue I had if I made a sharp turn when sitting still, or after backing up, it would make a clunk noise.

Now in my Altima, I have basically the same thing. If I turn the wheel all or most the way and pull away, I hear some kind of clunk noise.

[darthRogue09th]

I did not pop it open, but did press on it and the dashboard tried to simulate the noise and no such noise. I open the hood and inspect the area near the bottom passenger windshield. Also, try to simulate the noise by press on the windshield cowl cover, no such noise. It seems that the cowl cover is not attached to windshield (just cover it) and the bottom of the windshield does not touch the metal frame. I look at that area and see the Strut mount close to the pillar A and bottom windshield. I found out there is a Rogue 08-09 Technical Bulletin for Strut bearings noise when turn.

NTB10084 - SB 2008-2009 Rogue; Noise When Turning

* IF YOU CONFIRM - There is a noise (clunking, popping, or bumping) when the steering wheel is turned. AND - The noise is coming from the top of the front strut assembly. ACTION Replace the left and right Strut Mounting Bearings with the ones listed in the Parts Information section of this bulletin. - Refer to section FSU, chapter FRONT COIL SPRING AND STRUT in the appropriate Electronic Service Manual (ESM) for Removal and Installation instructions. See this bulletin for further detail.
nissan-technical-service-bulletins-updated-t340557.html

I also search youtube and found similar noise from a Strut of a different car. Well, it is a Hyundai and might not be a good comparison , but the clicking or popping sound is so similar.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4gzR8l6juk[/youtube]

[PapaSmurf2k3]

If its coming from the axles, then I know exactly what the problem is. It happens on a LOT of newer vehicles with sealed wheel bearings.
Here's a random article for it:
http://www.autoserviceprofessional.com/ ... e-clicking
You don't really need to replace all the stuff they are saying, but you will need some badass grease and new cotter pins.
You'll have to either loosen or remove the knuckle to gain access to the axle face, or bearing face. Grease either one of them. You can get grease on the splines, but do NOT get any on the threads (it will jack up your torque to clamp load relationship).

Put everything back together and torque to the low side of the spec.

Note: this problem is typically seen only during acceleration or otherwise loading/torqueing the driveline components (shifting from park to drive, etc).

[darthRogue09th]

Wow, the last dealer that I talked to told me that might have to do with the axles as you have just mention. I need to go now be back later, thanks

[TaiLuu]

It could also be the LCA bushings when, I had my Civic my LCA bushings where bad and everytime I made a 40MPH+ turn I hear a (knock,Clunk,Tapping sound).

[kerrton]

I'd venture a guess that the likely culprit is the strut mouting bearings, these have shown up as a problem in a fair number of Rogue vehicles from what I see on this forum and the fact that there is a TSB as DarthRogue reported indicates this is a weak spot.

It could also be another front end component as others have suggested. For clarification TaiLuu's acronym "LCA" I believe refers to "lower control arm" which is another possible culprit. If you get a competant shop to road test and thoroughly inspect the front end they should have no trouble finding the source of the noise and correcting it.

Thanks everyone for the good ideas and discussion - DarthRogue please let us know when you get solid diagnosis and fix!

[darthRogue09th]

Dear Papasmurf and NICO members,

The dealer lubricated axle spindles and replaced axle nuts/cotter pins on both sides as Papasmurf have mentioned. It did not work. I went back the next day and got a service from another service adviser, who had confirmed that the clicking noise still there. They tighten strut nuts near the passenger Pillar-A and cowl cover, on result. He did not create a ticket, looked like it was not documented, and told me that I have to come back to see the first adviser that did the first service, so I am going to bring my car back.

Symptoms:
A click noise from front passenger side area when turn from time to time or drive on bumpy road (mostly passenger side), which can generate several clicks, also intermittent. If I park the car for several hours, it will make a loud click at first drive off and then make a turn.

Test Drive with Windows Open/Close in Indoor Parking Lot:
- When close all windows, a click noise sounds like a rock hits the passenger side windshield.
- When open all windows, a click noise seems to come from the passenger side windshield and front fender area.

Well, I think it might be a Pillar-A Clip related noise, here are images of Rogue's cousin, Pillar-A of Altima 2008-2009.

Note: images from google search

I also found this thread about Pillar-A Clips making a popping noise with solution (BMW )

A-pillar popping noise over bumps etc? Anyone, Bueller? VooDoo economics...
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh ... ?t=1310524

Let me know your thoughts

Darth Rogue

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Yeah based on your symptoms it doesn't sound like its axle click. That generally only happens with large driveline torque variations (switching from park to forward or reverse... or from reverse to forward/vise versa, or hitting the throttle from a stop).

Honestly, it could be anything man. I'd really have to get in there and hear it to diagnose properly. For all I know it could actually be a defective brake pad/spring rattling around inside your caliper haha.

[jmartine2]

I have a 2012 Nissa Altima and am hearing that sharp pop like a rock hitting the windshield, too. The first few times, I was sure a rock had flown into my windshield and looked fror damage. I don't see anything, but I don't know what it is. I began researching it online and found this forum. Has anyone determined the source? I suppose I'll have to take it into the dealership, but I am dreading the run-around they will give a woman.

[jmartine2]

I am reposting so I can see when a reply appears. Still wondering what makes the loud pop near my windshield. Thanks.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I work at one of the factories that produces the Altima... I haven't heard of a root cause (I'm not associated with that vehicle), but I can ask around when I get to work on Monday if there is any warranty associated with it, and if they have any idea what causes it. In the meantime you can definitely take it back to the dealer. Runaround or not, they shouldn't charge you anything.
How long have you had the vehicle? If its under 3 months and you bring it back, it gets a lot of attention.

Welcome to NICO!

[darthRogue09th]

Papasmurf and NICO members with the problem,

I think they found the problem , but not completely fix it. It is from the Metal Cowl and one or more of its bolts below the windshield. This probable due to the car's body flexing. I was told that they unscrewed and screwed back about 5 bolts that hold the metal cowl with added washers.

The clicking noise when turn is almost gone, only a faded clicking when I start and drive off with a little turn from a parking lot after parking for hours, none when making a slow turn on intersection so far. But, now a lot more clicking when drive on street with cracked, filled pot holes, or skim over the yellow tiny bump painted lane divider only on the passenger side wheel .


I am not sure that they should have added washers. The noise is not like a rock hit the windshield or from Pillar-A anymore, just click noise from the front passenger side area.
Any suggestion will be appreciated?

Thanks,

Darth

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Are the bolts easily accessible?

This is probably outside of the dealer scope, so you might have to do it on your own. You should try experimenting with different torque settings on the bolts. Crank the s*** out of them and see if that kills it or makes the click way louder (you'll probably get one of those 2 scenarios).
If it doesn't kill it, try lowering the torque an adding grease or lubrication between the washer and the mating parts. That should go along with the same theory as the axle click. Basically, you've given up trying to stop the joint from slipping, you're just trying to decrease the energy in the system at that point so that when it DOES slip, the resulting click is so quiet, you don't even notice it.

[darthRogue09th]

Thank you PapaSmurf,

I think the cowl cover and the wipers need to be removed to get to the bolts. I could not figure out how the mechanic can work with the loose bolts without removing it, I was told that the wipers were not removed. After open the hood, I can see from the trail of wipe off dust that he did something to metal frame below the cowl cover on the passenger side only and the plastic pegs that hold the cowl cover. Well, I am going back. Now, the clicking sound is louder like it was before and the problem is less clicking when turn, but a lot more clicking when bump this after the they tried to fix it.

Darth

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Good luck man, let us know how you make out. Be sure to thank the mechanic and tell him he's definitely on to something.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I was asking around at work today, and one of our warranty guys mentioned that more often than not, it has to do with either the position of the windshield, or the way the windshield urethane wetted out under/around the windshield. He said going over twists in a road, or even sometimes steering will cause the 2 surfaces to move and different rates or something, and cause a sound like a pebble hitting the windshield.

[darthRogue09th]

Thank you PapaSmurf,

I still hang in there, the strut bearings had been replaced and the clicking still there, but less. The car now needs alignment. I will bring the car back to the dealer tomorrow.