TSB for 2005-06 Xterra/Frontier squeeking noise in front/rear suspension

[XTERRA2005]

I purchased a 2005 Xterra and 2005 Pathfinder and they both have the same noise in the front end.

It is a squeeking sound that happens when you drive over waves or small bumps in the road.

Has them both to the dealership under warranty, they were unable to find the source of the noise.

Now that I am out of warranty, they are willing to work on them for $65.00 per hour. With know guarentee that they can fix either of them.

Anyone else having this same noise issue, and if so, how did you correct it.

THANKS.

[Big-Bird]

We happen to have a Nissan Tech on this Trucks Forum and I bet he knows the answer....

Oh NM50.....You up for some Q&A?

Sounds like rubber bushings to me but I am not very familiar with the new suspension design using Coil Overs on both of these platforms.

I say new because I know more about the UCA/LCA designs.

[Big-Bird]

I knew that I read about strange squeeking noises on newer model Nissan truck a while back. This might be the source of your noise! This fellow described some similar noises on similar terrain as yourself. Might be useful.

05 Frontier Body Mount Squeaks

[Fezzik]

Well. I thought i had front end noise issues like you have. Took it to Nissan here In minneapolis and they went for a ride with me and thought it was front end issue also. They went all over the car and had someone ride in the back... It turned out to be the spair tire. They could have swore it was front end also. They tightened and lubed the chains and the squeak is gone. CHeck this out.

[ddgsxr504]

I too also have this problem on my 2006 Pathfinder SE. My wife thinks I am crazy because she can't hear it but when I go over bumpy (pot hole filled roads) I get this little squeaky vibrating noise. I would love to hear some suggestions on this because I am highly skeptical about the body mounts seeing as how my car is less than a year old and only has about 9,000 miles on it and the sound has been a problem for a few months now.

[tkk2500]

My wife has an 05 xterra that squeeks. I seems like it takes one decent size bump to get it started and then it squeeks constantly.

[Big-Bird]

I have known strut bushings to make these noises. It could also be the rubber bushings in the lower control arm making the noise.

With the repeated concerns I think this is going to take some organized effort from a few people to narrow the possibilities down.

[Fezzik]

I guess no one is checking the spare tire. We had 3 service techs in the truck trying to figure it out on a bumpy dirt road. The spare tire squeaking resonated off the front making it sound like the front. They tightened the spare up and the squeaks in the front are gone

[tkk2500]

I plan on checking the spare just havn't had time. With the way the squeek acts it's very possible. My initial thought was that it was the exhaust but I've been under it a dozen times and can't duplicate it.

The squeek doesn't act like it's suspension or a body mount. I've checked every bushing possible both on and off jack stands and couldn't find a thing.

If it is the spare I'm gonna laugh my azz off with all the time I've spent looking at the wrong end of the truck.

My wife has been trying to use it as an excuse to buy a new car.

[ddgsxr504]

My wife has been trying to use it as an excuse to buy a new car.

That's how they are... when the first thing goes wrong they are the ones to pull the quick ditch effort on automobiles.

[ATOMGUILD]

I have a 2006 XTERRA SE and it was making a sqeek as well - and was driving me crazy... I was almost certain it was the suspension - same symptoms as all the posts I have read here. Come to find out it the latch catch for the hood wasn't completely tight and there was metal-to-metal rubbing with the latch assembly- usually gets started once I hit my first bump in the road... The solution was to increase the tension on the hood with the side rubber screw bushings (they are adjustable) and the lubricate the latch itself. Problem was fixed immediately and has been gone for almost a year now.

I hope this helps.

PS - I'm going to tigten my spare though just for future good measure!

[bryen123]

GREAT CATCH - ATOMGUILD. I have a 2006 Xterra and that sqeuak has been driving me wild for months. I too thought it was my suspension and I emptied a can of WD-40 spraying every connectin I could find in my front end. I just went out and adjusted the three rubber screw bushings and lubricatfed the latch. I took it for a test drive with the windows down on the pot holes of the NreOrleans' streets and the squeaks are Gone!!

THANKS FOR THE VERY HELPFUL POST!!

Now does anyone have a problem with their rear suspension bottoming out on bumps, especially with 4-5 people in a 2006 Xterra. I checke my leaf springs and shocks and I don;t see any visible problems. It's been doing this since I bought it and the dealership said they could not find a problem. Thanks for any responses.....

[kvanderweide]

Thanks for all the tips on this. I began to suspect the hood and associated parts when I noticed slight side-to-side motion while driving. I'll give this (and the spare) a try.

[victor_nissan]

I have a similar problem with 2001 Nissan Frontier ever since I bought it new in 2001 brand new. Seems to be coming from the front end suspension. It might be the stabilizer bushings going dry or the upper and lower control arms rubber bushing rubbing against the metal, making it squeek. I've been a mechanic for over 20 years and I do all the repairs on my nissan. Its no major problem, it happens because of the environment, rain, dirt, mud, soon after the rubber loses its lubricacy and gets replaced with dirt, sand, mud and lack of pressure washing the suspension. My truck makes that squeek after rains when the truck dries, and speed bumps, If your handy with tools try to add some MOLY LUBE DRY FILM LUBRICANT between the rubber and metal, its made for firearms as a dry lubricant and its made by BIRCHWOOD/CASEY, By the way, disassembly of front suspension parts is required.

I do not recommend adding any WD-40 or any grease to any rubber part that has to do with suspension parts. Its petroleum based and it will destroy the bushings with time.

By the way, my truck also buttoms out and all other trucks and exterras that I've seen, its just how nissan designed the automobiles, the distance between the rear axle and chassis rubber bump is to close of distance causing it to always buttom out. There are 2 solutions, get a suspension lift kit or get airbags for the rear, I have seen them on Ebay. Or just google it .
Modified by victor_nissan at 6:00 PM 1/10/2008

[NM50]

Sorry fellas.Been really hooked up lately.There is a TSB on D40 and R51 vehicles.The fuel pump has been a real poroblem on bumpy roads.LAY under your truck and push up and down on the center of the plastic fuel tank.The noise if present will be audible.Get the countermeasure part and the noise will be fixed.Sounds dumb but its the next fix after tightening the spare.

[bryen123]

Thanks for the response victor_nissan. I only sprayed the metal connections with the WD-40 because I knew about the deteroriation of the rubber bushings from past mistakes.

I was afraid that the bottom out of the rear end was a design problem. The same thing happens on my friends 2006 Xterra. It' really bad when you have 5 people in the truck because it only takes a small bump to hit bottom. I'll look into your suggestions.

[widget]

I also have a 2006 xterra and have a problem with the rear bottoming out. If any one knows of a company putting out an air bag kit I would appreciate it.

[victor_nissan]

Back Again with some info on Air Ride systems, I hope it helps.

I found this on Ebay, this is for a 2001-2007 Nissan Frontier Air Ride System.Auction # 300189580544, Maybe if you can get in contact with this company, maybe they can set a system for your nissan exterra

Arnott Air Ride Systems, Phone number is 1-800-251-8993.

There is a system that can be adjusted from inside your vehicle, or it can be upgraded.

Just check out the Ebay Listing.

[widget]

thanks I will look into that

[redeyes]

I'm new to the Nissan Forum so excuse my ignorance but what is aTSB on D40 and R51 vehicles?I just got a 06 Frontier and it has the same fuel tank squeak you described and how do I get a counter measure part.I searched this sight for hours before finding this post..thanks for the help!

[Big-Bird]

TSB = Technical Service Bulletin issued by the factory for recalls and warranty issues and even helpful tips for the Dealer techs.

D40 = 2005-2008 Frontier N50 = 2005-2008 Xterra

NM50...WTF is a D51? I'm not familiar with that body code.

[Big-Bird]

There is a Technical Service Bulletin on Rear Suspension noise on the 2005-06 Frontiers and Xterra's.

It reads as follows:

IF YOU CONFIRM There is a squeak from the rear of the leaf spring wind-up clip when: going over bumps Or by compressing the rear suspension ACTION Inspect the inside of the rear leaf spring wind-up clip plastic cover for contact (rubbing)with the leaf spring. If signs of rubbing are present, apply MOLYKOTE 7 grease between the leaf spring and wind-up clip plastic cover. See this bulletin for further detail.

[NM50]

R51 is a Pathfinder.The bulletin is for the Frontier ,Xterra,and Pathfinder.In assist it comes up under body and suspension noises.Not hard to find.

[nisstek]

Your sqeak is probably the bumper cover mount (thin metal brace that runs from one side of the bimper to the other) rubbing on the bumper bar mount. You can look from underneath up toward the top of the bumper and see where it is real close just below and to the inside of headlights.

Yeah, the hood latch on the D40s and R51s are the first place I go with squeak complaints. Only seen a few fuel sender squeaks.

[ka24s14am]

My 05 Frontier does the same thing. It squeeks all the time over little bumps. I just turn the radio up louder but I am going to check my spare tire tomorrow.

[hek1620]

this is great. i don't know how many times i've been under the hood, under the truck and nothing. i took it to nissan and the guy told me he's dealt with this issue before. he told me it was the hood latch. they "fixed" it and a week later it started again. i took it back and he said it's just going to kepp on doing it. lazy *** m.f.er's. now i can fix it myself. thanks guys.

[XterraVT]

A bunch of us on a X forum have had the Squeak from the front end as well and it turned out to be the hood. Just adjust the rubber bumpers in the corners and it went away. If you don't have the adjustable ones then use the felt pads that you use at the bottom of furniture legs on wood floors

[seeeen84]

Same squeeking problem over small bumps (I have an 06 Xterra). So from what I'm reading here I should check these things:

-Spare tire (Check)-Rubber Bushings and Hood Latch (Check)-Fuel Pump/Sender (Dealer had to replace this under warranty because fuel gauge would not go below 1/4 tank...the noise began shortly after this hmmmm...) I'm assuming this it is the fuel pump/sender. Will check this out tomorrow. Any other ideas if this is not it? What should be checked next?

[dharpe]

Hey guys,

Just to add a bit to this thread. '07 Xterra, annoying front end squeak. The hood bumper adjustment outlined in this TSB fixed it:

http://72.3.186.203/TSB/TSB_xm...55102

"IF YOU CONFIRM A Squeak noise is heard from front of vehicle while driving speed bumps or rough roads. and The noise is coming from the hood bump stop. and The noise is not coming from the fuel pump. ACTION Check the adjustment of the hood center bump stop height. SPECIFICATION: approximately 19 mm (0.74 in). NOTE: If the height is below 19 mm a squeak noise will be heard. Test drive the vehicle to make sure the noise has been eliminated."

Mine came from the factory set to around 14mm. Took it out to 20mm and it fixed it.

[Palladium]

I have 2005 Xterra and started having this aweful annoying squeaking noise that sounds like it is coming from the front suspension. It is very noticeable when my speed is only 5-30mph. I was reading this forum and thanks to NM50 for the advise to check the fuel pump by pushing up on the bottom of the plastic gas tank. THAT IS IT!!! And it sounds aweful. Now I just need to figure out if Nissan will fix it at no charge since there is a TSB on it. My warranty is out. Thanks again NM50 for that was driving me nuts.