Hello,
I am posting today because I need clarity on a situation. I recently acquired a Nissan Sentra 2016, and a few days ago I already started having issues.
The car is bouncing more, it feels (or at least seems to feel) like the car leans more on turns, and there is knocking noises coming from the front of the car when driving a low speeds (generally under 25 MPH). The knocking noise seems to happens when driving over bumps in the road, when coming to a stop, and accelerating.
I'm thinking the shock absorber might be the issue as the sway bar links appear to be intact and the strut mounts seem to be intact. i'm curious if the shocks are covered under warranty. I only have 9500 on the odometer. Would anyone be able to give me some insight on this.
Please forgive me if my post is too broad.
I've been having this issue for a few days now, and it's been driving me nuts.
Warranty Query
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elwesso
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Re: Warranty Query
Welcome to NICO!
I don't see any reason why a strut wouldn't be covered under factory warranty, in fact it appears that struts are considered "lifetime" warranty according to this:
https://owners.nissanusa.com/content/te ... ooklet.pdf
Normally shocks/struts can last an easy 60k-100k miles, so the fact that you blew one out would mean you should easily qualify to have it replaced under warranty. You should definitely take it in to your dealer as soon as you can to prevent damage to other components.
I don't see any reason why a strut wouldn't be covered under factory warranty, in fact it appears that struts are considered "lifetime" warranty according to this:
https://owners.nissanusa.com/content/te ... ooklet.pdf
Normally shocks/struts can last an easy 60k-100k miles, so the fact that you blew one out would mean you should easily qualify to have it replaced under warranty. You should definitely take it in to your dealer as soon as you can to prevent damage to other components.
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centralcoaster33
- Posts: 2634
- Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 10:41 am
- Car: 1997 Nissan 240SX #5
- Location: Central Coast, CA
Re: Warranty Query
Hi and welcome to the forums. Did you run over a curb or obstacle at some point recently or get into any sort of accident? Have you had any repairs or maintenance performed at a shop recently? I'm wondering what could have caused your sudden bouncing and knocking.
As far as I can tell, your car is covered by all kinds of warranty. You should have a warranty book even. A few pages in, there's a phone number. A short conversation on the phone with a warranty staff member should clear up any confusion about what is and is not covered.
My experience is that you can also take it to the dealership. They can inspect and repair things for you. If it was a warranty item, you don't pay for either, if not, then you often have to cover the costs of diagnoses and repair. So, it's a bit of a risk and you'd want to know what is wrong and what is covered before going. Talking about it usually doesn't cost anything. Sometimes, if you are nice and time it right, you can get them to take a drive with you and see what they think your bounce and knock are like. Have you gotten a second opinion on those?
As far as I can tell, your car is covered by all kinds of warranty. You should have a warranty book even. A few pages in, there's a phone number. A short conversation on the phone with a warranty staff member should clear up any confusion about what is and is not covered.
My experience is that you can also take it to the dealership. They can inspect and repair things for you. If it was a warranty item, you don't pay for either, if not, then you often have to cover the costs of diagnoses and repair. So, it's a bit of a risk and you'd want to know what is wrong and what is covered before going. Talking about it usually doesn't cost anything. Sometimes, if you are nice and time it right, you can get them to take a drive with you and see what they think your bounce and knock are like. Have you gotten a second opinion on those?
Re: Warranty Query
Hi everyone
thank you for your responses.
I did not run over any curbs and I did not hit any potholes, although in my neighborhood there are a lot of speed bumps everywhere. I have not been in an accident in this vehicle either. I've only had routine maintenance done at the service center that I go to (oil change/tire rotation).
about 3 days before i originally posted this thread I did take my car in to the dealerships service center to have it looked at. At first I didn't know what the problem could be, and I did have someone from the service center come along for a drive to see if they could replicate the noise. I mentioned the suspension could be the issue and I asked if they could look at it anyways
When the tech went for the ride along the tech that drove my car couldn't replicate the noise (they have nice paved roads by the service center). Based on that they didn't even bother to inspect it at all. Their response was they wouldn't know what it could be due to the fact that they couldn't replicate it
.
They just told me it's ok to drive and sent me on my way...
I tried to take a look myself but I have a limited tool set and equipment to properly take a look underneath.
I was looking up some information online and I read that you can bounce test the car when parked, the car springs back quick, so i'm still not sure if what I believed is the problem still is. I know that this test is not certain and is fairly subjective, but when I do drive in parking lots the car bounces back fairly quick. I get most of my bouncing when I'm at higher speeds.
Is there anyway it could be something else (sway bar/bushings/??) I have asked several people and they keep giving me the same line that the service center did. I would go setup another appointment at the service center, but I'm reluctant since they were such a big help last time.
Once again i'm sorry for the long winded broad response. I just woke up and am in a time crunch right now
and thank you for clarifying on the warranty information. I have read it myself, but I was having trouble understanding exactly what it was saying.
thank you for your responses.
I did not run over any curbs and I did not hit any potholes, although in my neighborhood there are a lot of speed bumps everywhere. I have not been in an accident in this vehicle either. I've only had routine maintenance done at the service center that I go to (oil change/tire rotation).
about 3 days before i originally posted this thread I did take my car in to the dealerships service center to have it looked at. At first I didn't know what the problem could be, and I did have someone from the service center come along for a drive to see if they could replicate the noise. I mentioned the suspension could be the issue and I asked if they could look at it anyways
When the tech went for the ride along the tech that drove my car couldn't replicate the noise (they have nice paved roads by the service center). Based on that they didn't even bother to inspect it at all. Their response was they wouldn't know what it could be due to the fact that they couldn't replicate it
.They just told me it's ok to drive and sent me on my way...
I tried to take a look myself but I have a limited tool set and equipment to properly take a look underneath.
I was looking up some information online and I read that you can bounce test the car when parked, the car springs back quick, so i'm still not sure if what I believed is the problem still is. I know that this test is not certain and is fairly subjective, but when I do drive in parking lots the car bounces back fairly quick. I get most of my bouncing when I'm at higher speeds.
Is there anyway it could be something else (sway bar/bushings/??) I have asked several people and they keep giving me the same line that the service center did. I would go setup another appointment at the service center, but I'm reluctant since they were such a big help last time.
Once again i'm sorry for the long winded broad response. I just woke up and am in a time crunch right now
and thank you for clarifying on the warranty information. I have read it myself, but I was having trouble understanding exactly what it was saying.
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centralcoaster33
- Posts: 2634
- Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 10:41 am
- Car: 1997 Nissan 240SX #5
- Location: Central Coast, CA
Re: Warranty Query
The bounce test is to test your dampers (the oil filled tube part of the shocks). If the damper is "blown", then only the spring works, so when you press the corner down and let it go, it would bounce up and down and up and down a few times until it levels out. With a good damper, the car would merely bounce back to where it belongs within 1 or 2 movements.
Did the mechanic do the ride along for free or did they charge you and you expected more for your money? Do you have a friend who you can show this bouncing to or get them to drive while you ride along and see if it bounces?
I was re-reading your posts... the bouncing, could it be from unbalanced tires? Maybe the little metal weights that balance the wheels weren't clipped on tight enough, fell off and now the wheel spins off center sort of. That would be felt at certain speeds and not others.
Did the mechanic do the ride along for free or did they charge you and you expected more for your money? Do you have a friend who you can show this bouncing to or get them to drive while you ride along and see if it bounces?
I was re-reading your posts... the bouncing, could it be from unbalanced tires? Maybe the little metal weights that balance the wheels weren't clipped on tight enough, fell off and now the wheel spins off center sort of. That would be felt at certain speeds and not others.
Re: Warranty Query
The mechanic didn't charge for the ride along. My car is covered for free inspections up to 36000 miles. The reason for my frustration was the fact i told them that the car started making the noises under 25 mph or when I was on uneven roads. The tech that went for the ride along drove my car but was speeding fast and hitting me corners hard. He only dove it a few blocks and then took it straight back to the shop.
Re: Warranty Query
I think im just frustrated with the fact that the minute I left it started happening again immediately. I was just hoping that they would take a look at It anyways. Maybe I'm just being too demanding.
The tires don't have weights on them, I have got my oil changed and tires rotated by the same people when I'm supposed to. The service rep at the shop mentioned that the tires did look slightly uneven in the front. I have two inspection sheets from them that show all tires are inflated to the specified levels one from 5000 miles and another at 9696 miles
All I know for sure is that the ride is more bumpy then usual on bad roads, I hear the knocking regardless of coasting, braking, or accelerating or turning. the knocking noise is coming from the front), but the noise seems to be dependent on the road it is on. If I'm going fast enough I don't hear it at all.
Im trying to be patient Til I can get it figured out, but I'm just stressing because I'm having financial issues and me making money is dependent on my car
I tried taking my brother who is more Savy to this, but the same issue occurred for me. He took it out turned some corners and barely noticed anything and told me not to worry about it.
I'm just concerned because I would rather get the problem figured out before I shoot myself in the foot because I let it slide.
The tires don't have weights on them, I have got my oil changed and tires rotated by the same people when I'm supposed to. The service rep at the shop mentioned that the tires did look slightly uneven in the front. I have two inspection sheets from them that show all tires are inflated to the specified levels one from 5000 miles and another at 9696 miles
All I know for sure is that the ride is more bumpy then usual on bad roads, I hear the knocking regardless of coasting, braking, or accelerating or turning. the knocking noise is coming from the front), but the noise seems to be dependent on the road it is on. If I'm going fast enough I don't hear it at all.
Im trying to be patient Til I can get it figured out, but I'm just stressing because I'm having financial issues and me making money is dependent on my car
I tried taking my brother who is more Savy to this, but the same issue occurred for me. He took it out turned some corners and barely noticed anything and told me not to worry about it.
I'm just concerned because I would rather get the problem figured out before I shoot myself in the foot because I let it slide.
Re: Warranty Query
Is there anything that you guys can recommend that I can do that will allow me to find out what the problem or at the least narrow it down some?
I'm willing to do whatever I need to do to find out what is wrong.
I'm willing to do whatever I need to do to find out what is wrong.
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centralcoaster33
- Posts: 2634
- Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 10:41 am
- Car: 1997 Nissan 240SX #5
- Location: Central Coast, CA
Re: Warranty Query
Okay, I gotcha. You said slow speeds on uneven roads and the test driver pushed the car hard around sooth roads. He was probably trying to sway the car to "feel" the suspension working. He thought he knew what he was doing more than you and ignored your directions. I understand the frustration now.
Yes, you are stressing. Financial issues suck, hard. Needing reliable transportation for work is very normal. You do not need a brand new car to have reliable transportation. I mean this. Have you heard of or read Mr. Money Mustache? I've been in your shoes and hope you get to pull out of your situation. Financial stresses have a ripple effect and make a lot of your life stressful. I think the stress is already bleeding over to your commute.
You feel and hear something. I believe it, or you wouldn't be feeling it. It is something small and your are sensitive, so others are missing it. Whatever it is, it is not going to create a situation where you are stranded on the roadside looking at a mountain of mechanic bills while you are stuck taking the bus. Nothing you have described points to imminent failure. You have a warranty, so let that be peace of mind for you. You have insurance, so let that be peace of mind for you. If things fall apart, the warranty will pay for the repairs and either that or the insurance company will provide you with a loaner car, so no additional losses to you and you'll be okay to keep going to work.
I think you could 'back burner' it. Eventually, one of two things will happen. One - It will go away. Maybe with a new set of tires and an alignment. I don't know. You'll think you might have been crazy (and your mechanic and brother will agree). Two - It will continue and get bouncier or louder. You'll realize when it happens. You'll be able to duplicate it on demand (all downhill left turns at 22MPH or whatever). That is when you will take it back to the dealership and show/ tell them about it. When they experience it, they should finally be able to tell you the cause and fix it under warranty.
If you want to keep poking around, you can. Maybe go to youtube and listen to videos that show "bad CV joint" or "bad strut sound" and see if that makes the same sound. Do the bounce test with your wheel turned all the way left or all the way right and look around in the wheel wells while doing it. I'll keep trying to help if I can. Sorry for the long post and good luck with everything!
Yes, you are stressing. Financial issues suck, hard. Needing reliable transportation for work is very normal. You do not need a brand new car to have reliable transportation. I mean this. Have you heard of or read Mr. Money Mustache? I've been in your shoes and hope you get to pull out of your situation. Financial stresses have a ripple effect and make a lot of your life stressful. I think the stress is already bleeding over to your commute.
You feel and hear something. I believe it, or you wouldn't be feeling it. It is something small and your are sensitive, so others are missing it. Whatever it is, it is not going to create a situation where you are stranded on the roadside looking at a mountain of mechanic bills while you are stuck taking the bus. Nothing you have described points to imminent failure. You have a warranty, so let that be peace of mind for you. You have insurance, so let that be peace of mind for you. If things fall apart, the warranty will pay for the repairs and either that or the insurance company will provide you with a loaner car, so no additional losses to you and you'll be okay to keep going to work.
I think you could 'back burner' it. Eventually, one of two things will happen. One - It will go away. Maybe with a new set of tires and an alignment. I don't know. You'll think you might have been crazy (and your mechanic and brother will agree). Two - It will continue and get bouncier or louder. You'll realize when it happens. You'll be able to duplicate it on demand (all downhill left turns at 22MPH or whatever). That is when you will take it back to the dealership and show/ tell them about it. When they experience it, they should finally be able to tell you the cause and fix it under warranty.
If you want to keep poking around, you can. Maybe go to youtube and listen to videos that show "bad CV joint" or "bad strut sound" and see if that makes the same sound. Do the bounce test with your wheel turned all the way left or all the way right and look around in the wheel wells while doing it. I'll keep trying to help if I can. Sorry for the long post and good luck with everything!
Re: Warranty Query
Why not drive and have the tech simply listen?
I would do that if you know that there is a spot near the dealership that allows you to replicate the noise / issue.
I would do that if you know that there is a spot near the dealership that allows you to replicate the noise / issue.
Re: Warranty Query
@centralcoaster33 it's not problem about the long reply.
I set up another appointment with the service center. It's going to take a couple of weeks before they can get me in.
I haven't really scoped out the area where I can replicate the noise when they go for a ride along but I will be sure to do that before I take them with me.
I set up another appointment with the service center. It's going to take a couple of weeks before they can get me in.
I haven't really scoped out the area where I can replicate the noise when they go for a ride along but I will be sure to do that before I take them with me.
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