Rattle/Creaking sound in front end

[williammoses]

As I have stated in another thread, I no longer own a Nissan Rogue. I bought it on a whim and traded it for another vehicle on a whim. In any case, the rattle in my Rogue seemed to come from the center or center-right portion of the cowl area. In attempt to find the rattle, I dismantled about half od the dashboard but did not come close to finding it. As I said, I no longer have my Rogue, but I have a hunch that a careful and properly sequenced retorquing of the engine mounts might have mitigated the problem. Of course, I will never know now.

[kcfm]

williammoses and kcfm (and others):

Did you guys ever discover what was causing that rattle noise in the front end when going over cracks in the road? When I had them check mine out, they said it was the hood rattling so they adjusted it, but it did not eliminate the noise. I've since been speculating that it's two plastic covers, specifically the one that covers the oil filter and there is one on the drivers side too that isn't supported well at all, but I'm not 100% sure. Any thoughts or discoveries?

I have kind of forgotten about that issue. Dealing with all these faulty transmissions has kind of taking precedence.

But no, I have never figured it out. I have noticed though that is much more prevalent when it's cold outside.

[kerrton]

Yeah me too, it is worse when it's cold outside. Maybe it is the plastic cover then, the plastic becomes more dense and noisier when it's cold? Not sure though. If anyone else has had this issue and maybe found a solution please let me know.......

[Couz]

williammoses and kcfm (and others):

Did you guys ever discover what was causing that rattle noise in the front end when going over cracks in the road? When I had them check mine out, they said it was the hood rattling so they adjusted it, but it did not eliminate the noise. I've since been speculating that it's two plastic covers, specifically the one that covers the oil filter and there is one on the drivers side too that isn't supported well at all, but I'm not 100% sure. Any thoughts or discoveries?

I'm getting that too, its really only over cracks in the road at steady speed.

I know its something loose like a heat shield or some other cheap metal part rattling around over cracks.

Its funny but when I roll the window down I cant hear it, its really more amplified when windows closed.

The suspension sounds fine because I rolled my window down going over bumps and speed bumps and it sounds fine, i dont heard it.

at firsat I thought it was the trunk, but its coming from front area, I too suspect the hood being loose because it was some knocking around, second thing I checked was the stick that holds the hood when it was opened, could have been that contacting sometjing else.

in the end I'm not bothering bringing it in for that because I'm quite sure its not serious, just annoying to hear on a new car.

[Couz]

i have 3 mths old rogue and it has a rattle in the rear end. i can hear the noise at low speeds (20-30 mph) when driving over bumps.it's extremely annoying because it's a new car and things are not supposed be like that. having the car brought to the dealership four times the guys told me that everything is acoording to spec and there is nothing wrong with the suspension....but the noise is still there. i requested a test drive with another rogue and the same noise was there. i was told that all rogues have the same type of noise and i will just have to get used to it or turn the radio on...yeah great im stuck with a junky car:(

Same boat, 2 month old Rogue and I 'll just chalk this noise up to the cons of having an SUV, noisier over bumps.

I was in a Murano two weeks ago and Geez it was squeaking and cracking over every small bump....my friends Torrent is noisy when it breaks and turns.

I'm used to being in a tiny Integra, so going from that to this is a big change, I don't know what's normal and what's not.

I assume a big car like ours won't be as quiet going over bumps and cracks in the road.

My noise isn't a rattle more than just some metal slapping around over cracks, be it heat shields, exhaust pipes or any other piece of metal.

[kerrton]

Couz that is a perfect description of what I experience, everyting sounds good going over large bumps, but the quite hard ones with very little suspension vertical travel seem to create the perfect harmonics/vibration to create the noise, very annoying. I'd really like to get rid of the noise but like you I'm sure it isn't a serious mechanical problem.

[Couz]

I just noticed this today and its really annoying...

I'm certain its nothing that'll harm the car but for crying out loud it gets annoying when your going on a road with alot of little cracks , if I go over a sewer I hear nothing, big bumps too nothing....its those little ones.

It's a sound that really sounds cheap, to explain better it just sounds like a cheap piece of tin hitting something.

I just came in a few minutes ago and I really noticed it tonight because I kept the radio off and if its still around tomorrow I'm bringing it in but I'm not holding my breath that'll they'll fix it.

I did alot of driving today so hopefully some part is just tired and will settle down tomorrow.

[Couz]

Ok, after alot of investigation today I think I'm almost certain to have nailed my issue.

First off I slid under the car and everything looks tight, heat shields, exhaust pipes etc....nothing really telling me something would knock around or rattle.

Second, its not my suspension, as I've attentively listened when going over bumps with windows down, plus its got 2500 kms, I doubt any suspension component would go that fast.

Third, nothing under the hood is loose.

The sound is definiutely coming from front upper center, meaning around the hood area and its more audible with windows closed.

After thinking I went to check my hood and there is enough play with it that I can definitely move it up and down with just my fingers, going over tight quick cracks would make that sucker move.

The reason why its more audible in the car is because its the clip or latch lock of the hood where the play is and that's obviously located under the hood.

I'm gonna go to Nissan and see what they think, there is no way they'll find anything else loose that can make that noise in that area besides that.

[boooey]

I have posted this in other "noise" threads also..

I almost always hear some kind of plastic flapping/rattling coming from somewhere inside the upper dash console now, and it seems to be worse on very hot days.

I have never been able to pinpoint it, but it sounds like its coming from behind the 2 air vents above the radio.

its so annoying...

[paulvanharte]

This may help. Check out my posthttp://forums.nicoclub.com/zer...olved

Paul

[Couz]

Well on my way home I was passing by my Nissan dealer, its closed today due to holiday but there was a Rogue sitting outside.

I decided to pull over and try to wiggle the hood up and down while closed and it was solid, much much more snug than mine.

I'm quite sure now the hood is my issue, I even had my buddy test drive it and he 100% agrees, he even claims he can see the hood move up and down a bit too while going over the bumps.

Now lets hope those Nissan techs fix it well.

[kerrton]

Hey Couz,

I brought my Rogue to the dealer with this problem, and they said they solved the problem by adjusting the hood latch. My hood seems to be latched very securely now, however I still get the VERY annoying sounds EXACTLY as you've described so this didn't solve the problem.

I've wondered if it's those stupid floppy plastic gaurds on either side of the front end - one of them covers the oil filter on the right side and the other is a mirror image on the left side, and they meet with the main plastic guard at the front under the radiator and with each front wheel well plastic gaurd. One edge is totally unsecured so the stupid guard just flaps and vibrates around all over the place, every time I look at it it annoys the hell out of me because it looks so obvious that it's a bad design and I'm disappointed in it. I could've bought a cheap GM product like a Pontiac Torrent and then at least I wouldn't be surprised by this crap, but Nissan is really trying my patience with all these little things. To add to this the cover for the drivers speaker rattles like crazy and I have to beat the crap out of it to shut it up on a regular basis, so this car has got me in a bad mood lately....... please let me know if you do find a solution, thanks.

[Couz]

Hey Couz,

I brought my Rogue to the dealer with this problem, and they said they solved the problem by adjusting the hood latch. My hood seems to be latched very securely now, however I still get the VERY annoying sounds EXACTLY as you've described so this didn't solve the problem.

I've wondered if it's those stupid floppy plastic gaurds on either side of the front end - one of them covers the oil filter on the right side and the other is a mirror image on the left side, and they meet with the main plastic guard at the front under the radiator and with each front wheel well plastic gaurd. One edge is totally unsecured so the stupid guard just flaps and vibrates around all over the place, every time I look at it it annoys the hell out of me because it looks so obvious that it's a bad design and I'm disappointed in it. I could've bought a cheap GM product like a Pontiac Torrent and then at least I wouldn't be surprised by this crap, but Nissan is really trying my patience with all these little things. To add to this the cover for the drivers speaker rattles like crazy and I have to beat the crap out of it to shut it up on a regular basis, so this car has got me in a bad mood lately....... please let me know if you do find a solution, thanks.

Hey Kerrton,

Yup, my hood was loose and all that was required was a turn or two of the hood stop, it solved my issue.

But before I knew it was this I went under the car and around the wheel well and noticed that flappy plastic piece around the wheel well that was only secured by two clips, but I knew a plastic piece like that couldn't make that kind of noise.

One thing I notice, Japanese designed vehicles have alolt of plastic etc that will eventually make sounds....I've owned Acura's and Honda's and after a while noises where inevitable.

[kerrton]

Glad to hear your problem is solved!! Now that you're getting the little bugs worked out I'm sure you'll be loving the Rogue.....I'm going to check my hood again, maybe I can tighten it further and see if the noise disappears. Happy cruising!

[Couz]

Glad to hear your problem is solved!! Now that you're getting the little bugs worked out I'm sure you'll be loving the Rogue.....I'm going to check my hood again, maybe I can tighten it further and see if the noise disappears. Happy cruising!

Your hood should definitely be snug, mine wasn't even close, that sucker will rattle on tight cracks even if there's a little give and play.

Well I'm getting there, finding out what's normal and not.

Thanks for your help so far Kerrton, Phillipa too has been good.

Just one more issue I'd like to get a bit more info on is these self test ABS/VDC on startup take off noises....you mentioned its normal and I definitely believe it, but I'm just curious why on some days the noises differ etc, such as this spring contracting noise.

[kerrton]

Hey Couz, when I push on my hood with a moderate amount of force there is quite a bit of "give", i.e. it isn't solid but there is probably about a quarter of an inch travel that I can feel when pushing down....when you push on your hood is it completely solid now or is there some give/movement?

I've got the service manual which gives all of the tolerances/measurements which I'll check tonight, but it seems to me that pushing down and feeling how much movement there is is a pretty good indication if things need to be adjusted. Thanks in advance!

[Couz]

I have posted this in other "noise" threads also..

I almost always hear some kind of plastic flapping/rattling coming from somewhere inside the upper dash console now, and it seems to be worse on very hot days.

I have never been able to pinpoint it, but it sounds like its coming from behind the 2 air vents above the radio.

its so annoying...

OMG !!!!

That's exactly my issue at the moment.

Going over sharp bumps I hear ticking sounds, I'm positive its internal.

And on top of that its only happening on really hot days.

In the morning and night its not there because its cool and at times it lasts for a few minutes when I get in the car and goes away.

Mine seems to be upper dash around the vents and speaker on passenger side.

Anyone figure something out, I'm not bringing it in because I know the sound won't happen when they road test it, its so intermittent, comes and than I hear nothing, everything sounds perfect.

Driving me crazy.

[kerrton]

Not to discourage you, but I got tired of trying to track down the source of noises like this so I decided to just chill out and keep the stereo on to drown out any noises, which is what I would normally do anyway if I wasn't always pre-occupied with listening for strange noises. And you know what? Problem solved and it's a BIG weight off my shoulders. I used to drive older cars off-warranty and not worry about minor little noises here and there, and I'd listen to the stereo and cruise around totally relaxed and happy. Since I bought a new Rogue I've had one solid year of high stress, up tight driving that hasn't been enjoyable because of an obsession with listending for noises and trying to track down the sources. For the past few months I have decided not to worry about that crap and man am I ever a happy driver again. Of course you want to be aware if you car is making significant noises indicating a mechanical problem, but as far as general squeeking etc. I've come to the conclusion that every vehicle is going to have some noises with plastic rubbing or rattling slightly and I'm not going to waste my time worrying about, because that takes the enjoyment out of a new vehicle.

You may disagree, but I just thought I'd give you my advice anyway which is to not stress over little noises, even though Nissan will try to track them down and fix them under warranty, I still think it's not worth the hassle. Just keep the stereo cranked!

[Couz]

Kerrton,

I think I have been doing exactly what your talking about, I've had this car for about 5 months now and like you its become border line OCD in my case, listening for noises etc...

I haven't enjoyed the car much since I got it, like you I've always driven older cars I never used to worry about, but now its like I'm obsessed with making sure everything is ok.

This noise is so bloody intermittent that it bugs me, it comes and goes, comes and goes, I wish it was consistent which would probably indicate something more serious but the fact sometimes I hear and sometimes I don't makes me think its probably not very serious and to live with it.

Good post Kerrton

You make a good point.

[mdennis]

Sounds like what I have experienced with the A pillar/dashboard (driver's side). You can recreate a buzz/rattle sound simply by tapping the dashboard near the A pillar (do it between the vent and speaker grille area. Road harmonics seem to trigger it at cooler temperatures.

I rarely hear this annoying sound when the car has been out in the sun; instead, it usually starts when I leave my garage and get onto the freeway--that is when the A-pillar vibration-related noises really get going. Same thing during the later part of the day as the car cools down--I've heard this same A-pillar noise at night, also. Cool and heat expansion definitely play a role in what you hear inside the cabin.

I haven't taken it up with the dealer, yet, and won't, until I see more success stories posted about stopping the most common interior noises.

[Couz]

The thing I get is a ticking sound when I go over slight bumps or sharp cracks in the road coming from the passenger side dash area, like something is loose in the vents.

I know its internal, because when I roll down the windows the sound goes away like its getting drowned out and the suspension is fine, nothing sounds like its coming from there.

My sound is also so bloody intermittent, mornings it seems fine, no sound but afternoon when its hot on and off and same at night and sometimes its there than literally disapears in a few minutes for good for the rest of the drive.

The funny thing is that this started when I started using the AC for the first time since I've had the car.

Any ideas ?

I think it could also be related to cabin temp and plastic contracting and decontracting because when its cool it seems less there.

[louofm1]

Hi guys Thought i might give a suggestion which may help some of you with this issue. My wife has a 2012 Rogue and we started having a similar rattle/creaking, as we went over bumps. It seemed to be more pronounced in the winter. The car was still under warranty so i took it to the dealer. A very knowledgeable mechanic identified the problem. It seems it is related to the radiator and its upper mounting brackets. pop your hood and grab hold of the top of your radiator (make sure its not hot). Try moving it back and forth. You will notice that there are two round "plastic" brackets that hold a rubber bushing, that secure the top of the radiator. One of the brackets is located under the air intake. to fix the problem, the mechanic cut out a small triangular foam wedge (about 1" long) and affixed it between the top of the radiator and the front of the car. This way, the radiator doesnt move back and forth. It solved the problem! Now, about a year later, the problem reoccured. It appears that the two plastic upper radiator "U" brackets that hold the radiator in place have some play in them. I took them off and added a small rubber stopper, so as to prevent them from moving back and forth. Seems to have again cured the problem. In short, try moving your radiator back and forth, and listen for noise. Hope this helps some of you