Rubbing/Vibration when turning in AWD mode

[MartinJansen]

Hello again... I have a 2015 Pathfinder Platinum... Bought Aug. 2017 at 35K miles... Now have 56K miles... A few months back (before I put winter tires on) I began to notice a vibration/rubbing type sound when making low speed L&R right turns (Think being at a stop sign and making a full right or full left turn onto the side street... And, although far less noticeable, there is also a small "kick" when accelerating straight up at a normal pace... I keep the car in "AWD-auto" all the time (and no it has not accidentally been in "AWD-lock") and I've checked the wheel wells for obstructions and there aren't any.

The mental light bulb went off today and I put the car in 2WD mode and the vibration/rubbing sound is not there when turning, nor is the less noticeable kick when accelerating forward.

Can I safely assume this is a rear differential issue? Any ideas what else it may be? Or the cause of such?

The car has not had the differential fluid changed, but i feel like this is beyond that?

I figure i'll make a dealer appointment this week (and I do have the Nissan Gold Certified Warranty so hopefully that would cover any repairs here - i have to read over the coverage again), but any thoughts or advise you could give on the potential issue would be most appreciated.

[Rockwood]

Well, that year of Pathfinder is 4 wheel independent suspension. I'm not 100% positive, but your rear axles most likely have some type of Constant Velocity joints much like the front axles. So it is possible the joint on one of the axles is going bad. A bad joint can bind up, which may be the "kick" you describe.

Much less expensive to fix than a differential.

Maybe try sitting in back while some one else drives, and see if the noise is louder than it is when you drive? Might help localize the noise a little better.

[MartinJansen]

Last week Nissan replaced my rear differential - under warranty - on my 2015 Pathfinder Platinum (@54k miles) and the issue has seemed to be resolved.

[nickelghandi]

I am glad you got it repaired. I would not run around in AWD all the time anymore. Even on the newer vehicles, it is more for wet roads or gravel, dirt or snow. If the vehicle detects slip even when there isn't any it can engage that AWD and cause some binding up which would damage the differential over time.