I just got an 2006 titan le 4x4. only 18000 km . wow since i've got it i've been to the dealer 2 times and now will have to go again. I have a clunk in the rear end when I start off after stopping at a light. Is this normal or should I have it looked at. also when in 4x4 there is a howl in the front end around 50 mph(80KM) is this normal.Sometimes it's just nature of the beast. jp

why on earth are you running 4wd at 50mph? That's probably the maximum speed per the manual you want to run in 4wd. These things are real trucks with true 4wd, not the AWD viscous coupling type you find in Subarus and Rav4s and other vehicles like that. If you can run 50mph, you can do it in 2wd.

That said, the clunk could be a ring and pinion issue. The Titan is a great truck, but Nissan cheaped out on the rear axle. I would definitely seek dealer service on it to ensure the rear diff isn't bad.

My understanding is its not the axles themselves that are the problem. Its the diff that has been problematic. In particular the spider gears in the diff have been known to fail. But it doesn't seem likely that this is the problem as incidents I've read about seem to cause a complete failure. Have the dealer check it out.

Hello I just got the thing back from the dealer. I took the mechanic with me for a test drive and he said the light clunk and short pause when I step on the gas is normal. It is just the transmission catching up to the rear end. I had also talked to an other nissan mechanic at the dealer about the rear ends and he said to make sure to change the rear end fluid every year. He also said that the rear ends fail when the fluid starts to burn, I have to check the condition of the fluid. I also have that noise in the front end. when in 4x there is a growling sound, any idea?????

purenergy wrote:I also have that noise in the front end. when in 4x there is a growling sound, any idea?????

Yeah, 1) don't use 4wd in any conditions where you can go 50mph, and 2)don't go 50mph in 4wd.

OH ok