Axel click noise

Dsupe77

Member
Car
2012 FX35 AWD
Name
Dan
Hey guys,

So I've done tons of research on the infamous axle click noise on here and some other Nissan forums. I know there is a TSB bulletin on it ITB08018

My car has been doing this for the past few months and it's getting very annoying so i want to finally do something about it.

My question is how involved is it to take the axle apart for me to grease it up? or should i just have the dealer do it? (still have warranty on it)

If it's not so time consuming i would like to do it but if its a pain in the ass i'll just bring it to the dealer.
 
Jack up both rear wheels, and loosen the 6 bolts. The reason that I suggest to lift both wheel so that you can turn the axle by hand as you will need clearance for the socket/wrench to get at the bolt & nut. If yours is FX35, torque the bolt to 53 ft-lb. For FX45,torque it to 87 ft-lb.
 
As long as the boot is not ripped and you just want to add some grease you could try this without tearing it apart.
Just make sure to use correct grease and warm it up good so it flows through needle.
When your done a spot so super glue on small hole will seal it.

image.webp
 
I just had the dealer replace my cv shaft on the drivers front due to a torn boot they saw during an oil change inspection. They did it under warranty. I know that those eventually click after they dry out, typically in turning. Is the click you're referencing something different? I haven't noticed anything on mine.
 
Hi Dsupe77,

Were you able to resolve your clicking problem? I am having the click on my 09 FX50 and I have the grease so I want to attempt to fix. if anyone has any advice that would be great. I have found several threads here about the issue but no how-to.

Thanks
 
My 09 makes a clicking noise but when it down shifts. Is related to the same problem?
Hard to say. Mine does it sometimes when downshifting but its at slow speed in a parking lot. Just shifting from R to D and back will make the clicking sound that I am trying to address. I just received my grease and new axle nuts so I will take some pics and post them here when I am done.
 
Finally had this issue addressed at the dealership yesterday and was covered under warranty.

CLICK FREE & FEELS GREAT! lol what a big difference in shifting into drive or accelerating not hearing that darn click sound!
 
I finally got around to installing my new control arms and while I was doing it I followed the repair procedure for the axle click. So far it seems to have to worked and the clicking is gone. Unfortunately I did not remember to take any pictures but it was pretty straightforward. Remove axle, clean grease and replace grease.
 
You have an extended warranty on your 2012 I would assume?

I do have extended warranty but was not covered under that. It was covered under the powertrain warranty.

I needed rear brakes badly so i figured i have the dealer do the brakes and the grease the axle at the same time.

Curious to know since the service was done my car feels more firm and tighter. could it been my axle nut or hub might of been loose before they greased it and tighten everything?
 
So i have a theory about the axle click and wanted to see if it correlates to something.

After the dealer greased the installed new cotter pins to the axle i feel like the car drives a bit different then before. The steering is more tight and firm and the biggest thing i noticed is the transmission is not as jerky anymore.

For example when i had the axle clicking noise, if i would accelerate and let off the gas it would click and kind of kick back the car a little bit. Also i don't notice hard down shifts anymore and the shifting feels smoother.

Is there any congratulation between the axle and the transmission? or did anyone else experience this as well just curious.
 
I'm wondering if it could be a few things... More grease in the axle lets it move better (hence no click) so it feels smoother... More grease and it will also probably "shift" around less (heaving grease around the parts should "hold" them in place better if you get what I'm trying to say)... Less friction on the joint lets the transmission do it's work better (imagine added friction slowing down the forward motion of your car, kinda like a stuck piston in a brake caliper)...

There shouldn't be anything "direct" but any time you fix something with a moving part, the other moving parts in that system should feel better...
 
If you look at the area that needs to be greased its just a flat surface that seats against the back of the hub. You do not grease the joints or anything else on the axle. I dont understand how this creates or prevents a click sound but I guess there is slight bit of play in the axle splines.
 

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