Hi all,

2011 Nissan Rogue SV (AWD) 127,000 miles.

My car lately started to make some squealing/squeaking noise which drives me crazy.

1. It makes noise only in drive with acceleration
2. I excluded a drive belt / pulleys by depressing a gas pedal in parking, spraying water on the belt. I can't hear any noise. This car has an electrical power steering, so from my understanding, there are no parts driven by the drive belt that can cause this noise while driving, but I might be wrong.
3. I excluded any medical issues by using ear plugs
4. There is no noise when driving in reverse with acceleration or deceleration (turning or straight)
5. A drive shaft has some free play on both ends and I do not know if it is normal or not for this particular model

What was done recently:
A front left (driver side) CV axle and a lower control arm
Drained/filled CVT fluid
All brakes have been serviced

In the local shop I was told that this noise could be produced by the A/C, but I do not believe that this is true, because it makes this noise with A/C turned off and only when driving. They charged me $70 for nothing. Others say that it might be a humidity to blame.

This car is not bad but considering that all front CV axles, a lower control arm, rear shocks have been already replaced, it doesn't seem to last long. Ball joints, u-joints are not serviceable which makes this car too expensive to maintain.

But anyway, guys, what could cause this kind of noise?

You've done a good job with process of elimination.

I'd look at brakes, at this point. A sticking caliper, unlubricated slide pins, or incorrectly-installed brake pad can cause squealing in one direction (forward), but will not be present when revving engine in neutral.

When the time comes to replace ball joints, you can buy the entire arm, which shouldn't be prohibitively expensive. Most of the stiuff on that car comes from China anyway, so a cheap Chinese replacement will be the same as what's on it.

AZhitman wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 30, 2020 11:09 am

I'd look at brakes, at this point. A sticking caliper, unlubricated slide pins, or incorrectly-installed brake pad can cause squealing in one direction (forward), but will not be present when revving engine in neutral.

If brakes cause this noise, can the noise go away after some driving? Because this is exactly what I am experiencing, just forgot to mention it in my initial post. It returns after a car sits for an extended period of time. It is very possible that high humidity somehow makes it worse.

Possibly. I'd still inspect them, possibly running the car on a lift if at all possible and if it can be done safely. Your brake shop should accommodate this.

That wasn't brakes issue.

That was a bad driveshaft.

I do not think that symptoms I described in my post fit brakes issue.

I am not a mechanic and my car knowledge is quite limited so I am trying to use some common sense and logic (in this case, I had to use it earlier).

This is a list of symptoms that finally led to the very-very dangerous failure:

1. Uphill driving with some vibration (initially it was mild)
2. Squealing noise when a car starts to move, it even more pronounce when turning (at low speed)
3. Not squealing when driving downhill w/o acceleration
4. "Free play" in a driveshaft, that I listed in my post, is a equivalent of the failed U-joints and a driveshaft must be replaced as soon as possible (Rogue driveshaft is not serviceable).

The situation has deteriorated quite quickly.

I can't describe how my car was shaking and shuddering when my driveshaft eventually failed.

U-joints fell apart in the shop when a driveshaft was removed (I am so lucky that it happened in the shop and not on a highway).

The failed one was replaced with a re-manufactured "transplant". It looks like it has been correctly balanced (tried on highway 80 miles/h and in the city, no vibration at all) and so far my car runs like new.

Thanks for the update, something else to look out for. Got any pictures of the broken DS?

itsa300zx wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 04, 2020 10:23 am

Got any pictures of the broken DS?

Unfortunately, no. Mechanics told me that. And I believe them, why not. I thought that my car will fall apart.

I'm not questioning anything, just wanted to see where and what was the damage for myself, so I can look at mine the next time I'm under my Rouge.

itsa300zx wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 04, 2020 10:46 am

I'm not questioning anything, just wanted to see where and what was the damage for myself, so I can look at mine the next time I'm under my Rouge.

U-joints. They failed.

Here's an example of a U-joint failure.

Anyways, good stuff on the drive shaft and u-joints.

https://youtu.be/o8TnofLf1mU

https://youtu.be/ZoA1t1ZDARQ

https://youtu.be/z2Ge6K0q5Aw