Noise from drive shaft or gearbox

TurboZ.Dude · Post by **TurboZ.Dude** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 8:31 pm

Hello guys,

I've had a strange "kudududududu" noise coming from either the left driveshaft or the gearbox. I have replaced the left front wheel bearing (it was worn out), as well as the outer joint. The noise still goes on, and I can't feel much free play at the inner joint. I have no idea what to do next.

The noise itself disappears when I push the clutch or shift to neutral. The frequency of the "kududududu" sound increases when speed increases, the noise is just about a constant low-frequency "whirr" at highway speeds.

Got any ideas as to what the problem could be?

Thanks,
Jan

Kimmo · Post by **Kimmo** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 10:26 am

Sounds like you need to try another driveshaft, and hope that sorts it... otherwise it could be time for a new box : /

Post by **etking** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 11:21 am

thrust bearing?

Timmzy · Post by **Timmzy** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 11:47 am

Incorrectly adjusted clutch cable that's flogged your thrust bearing out?

That's my guess

Its the easier of the diagnosis' if it aint driveshafts.

Darren.

Kimmo · Post by **Kimmo** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 1:43 pm

If it was the thrust bearing, wouldn't you only hear it with the clutch in?

IMO it sounds like a really shagged CV, or more likely a gearbox bearing.

TurboZ.Dude · Post by **TurboZ.Dude** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 6:17 pm

Thanks guys!

I'll try to get hold of another inner joint, that's easy to replace.

As for the thrust bearing... well, I may just as well get myself another clutch. However, the clutch seems to be fine, it doesn't slip even the slightest. I did re-adjust the clutch wire a couple of months ago because the wire had been too tight and it was slipping if I released the pedal too quickly in 4th gear on high load. But the wire wasn't so tight that the clutch would be hanging from it, so we'll have to see. The clutch (and the thrust bearing) is the next thing I'll replace/check.

I'm fortunate if it's any of those two. I hope it's not the gearbox itself... well, at least gears are going on very well, shifting is very smooth.

Now that I'm thinking of it, the noise doesn't change while I'm moving the clutch and it still has some sort of a grip. But, if I find a perfect balance so that there is minimal load (accel. or decel.) on the wheels, the noise almost disappears. I hope the bearings in the differential are OK...

TurboZ.Dude · Post by **TurboZ.Dude** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 2:54 am

The thought just occurred to me that it can't be the thrust bearing (if that's the center bearing at the clutch) because then the frequency of the noise would be dependent on engine RPM instead of vehicle speed.

Anyway, I went to all the local parts stores (except for the Nissan dealership), none of them could even get the inner CV joint ("tripod") from their import dealers! I will check the prices at the local Nissan dealership on Monday, but I suspect that I will have to go to the junkyard to get this joint, because usually Nissan dealerships have quite high prices on spares for our old cars.

BTW, I can feel some free play between the differential housing and the inner CV joint housings, is it supposed to be that way? I have slight rotational free play as well as some free play in the horizontal direction (outwards from the differential).

Kimmo · Post by **Kimmo** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 9:59 am

TurboZ.Dude wrote:BTW, I can feel some free play between the differential housing and the inner CV joint housings, is it supposed to be that way? I have slight rotational free play as well as some free play in the horizontal direction (outwards from the differential).

I'm afraid you've found the problem right there... there's a small amount of axial play in mine (sliding along the splines till it hits the circlip), but no radial play (well, one moves a little bit).

I'd say the odds of it being the CV are pretty minimal, since when they're rooted, they tend to only make noise during sharp turns.

TurboZ.Dude · Post by **TurboZ.Dude** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 7:45 pm

Darn. Well, I have to get another CV joint housing from the junkyard and see if the rotational free play disappears.

So you mean axial free play is OK?

Kimmo · Post by **Kimmo** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 7:54 pm

Rotational free play? Don't you mean radial?

The axial play is no biggie AFAIK; I think they're sposed to be able to move 2-3mm. I can't imagine how that could be a result of wear... except for extremely worn bearings that would also exhibit shitloads of radial play.

I can't see a fresh CV doing anything on its own... although the splines on your old one may be shagged from the movement, and in need of replacing...

TurboZ.Dude · Post by **TurboZ.Dude** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 8:01 pm

Kimmo wrote:Rotational free play? Don't you mean radial?

The axial play is no biggie AFAIK; I think they're sposed to be able to move 2-3mm.

That's just about how much they move on mine. So that's alright then. Phew. But no, there is no radial free play!

Kimmo wrote:I can't imagine how that could be a result of wear... except for extremely worn bearings that would also exhibit shitloads of radial play.

I can't see a fresh CV doing anything on its own... although the splines on your old one may be shagged from the movement, and in need of replacing...

Yeah, I'm thinking of the splines here... the drive shafts were blasted and re-painted but I'm sure we covered up the splines. However, since the outer CV joint as well as the wheel bearing were both shagged, I very much suspect the splines at the differential. I hope it's not the bearings though... that would mean swapping parts from my old gearbox.

Kimmo · Post by **Kimmo** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 8:11 pm

Yeah, have fun with that... good luck.

TurboZ.Dude · Post by **TurboZ.Dude** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 8:17 pm

Thanks m8!

TurboZ.Dude · Post by **TurboZ.Dude** » Fri Dec 17, 2010 8:49 pm

On Tuesday, I got hold of another drive shaft from the junk yard (the CV joints attached to it are in perfect shape!). I will install it tomorrow or on Sunday, let's hope this solves the problem.

Yesterday, when I was driving, I realized that the noise continues even if I push the clutch, so I guess the gearbox bearings are out of the question. I hope it's not the differential bearings though.

TurboZ.Dude · Post by **TurboZ.Dude** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 3:19 am

I replaced the left drive shaft today, the noise level went down to about half of what it was.

I can feel some rotational free play in the inner CV joint of the right drive shaft, so I assume the other drive shaft also has a worn down inner CV joint and that's causing the rest of the 'kudududu' noise.

Fortunately, my differential bearings seem to be alright, I have high hopes of getting rid of the noise now! Just need to get another driveshaft...