03-Riding Like a Rock - Nissan Murano

Old Grunt · 12-19-2011, 10:38 AM

2003 SL AWD, 102k miles. Problem: recently has begun to drive with vibrations coming from the gas and brake pedals; not too bad on the steering wheel. The sound from the tires are somewhat like the drone of a large 4x4 with Mickey Thompsons going down the highway. I put it on cruise control just so I don't have to feel the vibrations.

I took it to the Nissan shop and they replaced a broken motor mount. The local tire shop rotated, balanced, and aligned the front end last week. While reading the blogs here, I see issues with lower ball joints, maybe shocks, motor mounts, maybe CVT?...

Does anyone have any similar experiences like this? I need help diagnosing so that I can DIY the repair......unfortunately, my first born is too old to give away, so I need to try to fix myself.

**njjoe** · 12-19-2011, 11:06 AM

Whenever I read about a car that rides like a rock I think of a frozen strut/shock.

-njjoe

Old Grunt · 12-19-2011, 11:12 AM

That was my initial thought, however the front shocks were replaced about 30k miles ago. I did see that the driver side shock boot was shreded....so you may not be too far off.

**njjoe** · 12-19-2011, 11:20 AM

OG-

I was thinking more of the rear shocks. There have been more than a handful of posts dealing with frozen rear shocks.

Out of curiosity, have you tried putting the transmission in neutral while driving to see how it affects the vibration?

-njjoe

Old Grunt · 12-19-2011, 11:28 AM

Yes...the rear shocks do need replacing. Hmmmm. I will try coasting in neutral on the drive home and see if there is any difference.

tomjack · 12-19-2011, 06:58 PM

Something else to think about would be a front wheel bearing. Does the vibration change when you're turning one way but not the other?

Old Grunt · 12-20-2011, 02:04 PM

Just completed a 400 mile drive. There is no difference in the drive, handling, or sound while in neutral, turning, low speed or high speed. The high pitched whine of tires is overwhelming.....I wonder if it is a cupped tire? They have been rotated twice since this phenomenom has started. I will have to get it back to Nissan to check the wheel bearing, struts, tires, alignment, rear shocks, and transmission. If they can't find the culprit, I will be in need of a thermite grenade!

**Eric L.** · 12-21-2011, 12:20 PM

Something else I would check is the transfer case fluid. A dry transfer case can be pretty noisy too.

Old Grunt · 12-21-2011, 04:26 PM

Update: took it to Nissan today and got the shop foreman to take a ride with me. Within the first 1/2 mile, he diagnosed a wheel hub bearing. 3 hours and $398 later,it sounds as good as a 103K mile CVT, front wheel drive can possible sound.

Thanks for all of your input. I am now going to invest in a manual and do more tinkering myself.

**zebelkhan** · 12-21-2011, 05:31 PM

It is good that issue has been resolved. Did you ask Nissan why they did not properly diagnose it the first time?

Pilgrim · 12-21-2011, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Grunt

Update: took it to Nissan today and got the shop foreman to take a ride with me. Within the first 1/2 mile, he diagnosed a wheel hub bearing. 3 hours and $398 later,it sounds as good as a 103K mile CVT, front wheel drive can possible sound.

Thanks for all of your input. I am now going to invest in a manual and do more tinkering myself.

It's definitely a good thing to fix, but it doesn't address your original complaint, as this will have no effect on the ride at all. It only changes the noise level. If you had a suspension problem, you still have it. "Riding like a rock" to me means stiff, unyielding suspension. Was the problem only noise and vibration in the steering wheel?

Old Grunt · 12-21-2011, 08:15 PM

You're correct....I missed a post. After I initially had the tires rotated and aligned at a local tire place, the noise and handling issue was not resolved. That was the point that I started asking questions here. I then took it to Nissan for a diagnosis....they originally fixed a broken engine mount and an oil coolant O-ring. The vibration stopped but the noise did not. I figured maybe it was a cupped tire or strut as indicated in one of the previous blogs. After my drive yesterday, I was forced to return to Nissan and kidnap the shop foreman. All issues, problems, and complaints have been satisfactorily resolved. I even met 3 different salesmen trying to unload the 2011 Titan. It's actually a good deal, but for now, I'm runnin the mighty mo until the wheels fall off!

**njjoe** · 12-21-2011, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Grunt

It's actually a good deal, but for now, I'm runnin the mighty mo until the wheels fall off!

That's funny. I wonder how close you came to having that come true.

-njjoe

Pilgrim · 12-21-2011, 11:41 PM

ooOOOOoo-kkkayyyy then. Good that it's settled.

12-19-2011, 10:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
Old Grunt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Central Florida Posts: 12	03-Riding Like a Rock 2003 SL AWD, 102k miles. Problem: recently has begun to drive with vibrations coming from the gas and brake pedals; not too bad on the steering wheel. The sound from the tires are somewhat like the drone of a large 4x4 with Mickey Thompsons going down the highway. I put it on cruise control just so I don't have to feel the vibrations. I took it to the Nissan shop and they replaced a broken motor mount. The local tire shop rotated, balanced, and aligned the front end last week. While reading the blogs here, I see issues with lower ball joints, maybe shocks, motor mounts, maybe CVT?... Does anyone have any similar experiences like this? I need help diagnosing so that I can DIY the repair......unfortunately, my first born is too old to give away, so I need to try to fix myself.

12-19-2011, 11:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
njjoe Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Jersey Shore (not THAT Jersey Shore, the real one) Posts: 11,745	Whenever I read about a car that rides like a rock I think of a frozen strut/shock. -njjoe __________________ 2005 SL AWD, Platinum -OEM HID conversion & HID fogs -OEM iPod interface -Upgraded (non-Bose) speakers - Pioneer TS-A1702C & TS-G1643R -Muth signal mirrors -Valley Industries hitch and wiring harness -Aluminum fuel tank shields

12-19-2011, 11:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
njjoe Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Jersey Shore (not THAT Jersey Shore, the real one) Posts: 11,745	OG- I was thinking more of the rear shocks. There have been more than a handful of posts dealing with frozen rear shocks. Out of curiosity, have you tried putting the transmission in neutral while driving to see how it affects the vibration? -njjoe __________________ 2005 SL AWD, Platinum -OEM HID conversion & HID fogs -OEM iPod interface -Upgraded (non-Bose) speakers - Pioneer TS-A1702C & TS-G1643R -Muth signal mirrors -Valley Industries hitch and wiring harness -Aluminum fuel tank shields

12-21-2011, 12:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
Eric L. Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 8,199	Something else I would check is the transfer case fluid. A dry transfer case can be pretty noisy too. __________________ 2003 Midnight Blue SE AWD w/VDC Colgan Bra, Mobil One, JWT POP charger PAC aux input adapter, hardwired Escort Passport x50, KUDA mount for MP3 player, Porterfield R4S brake pads (now Akebono ProACT), ATE Superblue Yokohama Envigor (much improved over stock Goodyears) Lots of squeaks and rattles.

12-21-2011, 05:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
zebelkhan Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Morgan Hill, Ca Posts: 6,042	It is good that issue has been resolved. Did you ask Nissan why they did not properly diagnose it the first time? __________________ 2004 SL AWD - Super Black - Leather Package (Café latte) - Tow Package - Floor Mats - Splash Guards - Cargo Area Protector - Rear Bumper Protector - Front Window Tint - Dawn Color Matched Body Side Molding – Day Time Running Lights - PAC-NIS1 Aux Audio input - Pressure Pro TPMS and Anti Theft Sensor Locks - 7" Xenarc VGA Touchscreen - Compaq EVO e-PC 2.0 GHz Pentium 4 Carputer with 120GB HD, DSATX PSU / Shutdown Controller, Road Runner Front End, iGuidance 3.0 Navigation, DVD player, Internet access, XM satellite radio, Deluo GPS receiver, Linksys WiFi Antenna, TERK XM antenna - Tweeter 22uF CAP mod - Magnetbra - Custom Backup Camera - Aries Polished Stainless Steel Sidestep (nerf) Bars - Euro-Tech Nudge Bar - Homemade Lower Grill Cover - Auxiliary Projection Fog Lamps - Aluminum Fuel Tank Shields - Wade Window Deflectors - Nissan Sunroof Deflector - Scosche UBRH Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit

12-19-2011, 11:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
Old Grunt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Central Florida Posts: 12	That was my initial thought, however the front shocks were replaced about 30k miles ago. I did see that the driver side shock boot was shreded....so you may not be too far off.

12-19-2011, 11:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
Old Grunt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Central Florida Posts: 12	Yes...the rear shocks do need replacing. Hmmmm. I will try coasting in neutral on the drive home and see if there is any difference.

12-19-2011, 06:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
tomjack Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Port Richey, FL Posts: 1	Something else to think about would be a front wheel bearing. Does the vibration change when you're turning one way but not the other?

12-20-2011, 02:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
Old Grunt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Central Florida Posts: 12	Just completed a 400 mile drive. There is no difference in the drive, handling, or sound while in neutral, turning, low speed or high speed. The high pitched whine of tires is overwhelming.....I wonder if it is a cupped tire? They have been rotated twice since this phenomenom has started. I will have to get it back to Nissan to check the wheel bearing, struts, tires, alignment, rear shocks, and transmission. If they can't find the culprit, I will be in need of a thermite grenade!

12-21-2011, 04:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
Old Grunt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Central Florida Posts: 12	Update: took it to Nissan today and got the shop foreman to take a ride with me. Within the first 1/2 mile, he diagnosed a wheel hub bearing. 3 hours and $398 later,it sounds as good as a 103K mile CVT, front wheel drive can possible sound. Thanks for all of your input. I am now going to invest in a manual and do more tinkering myself.

12-21-2011, 08:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
Old Grunt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Central Florida Posts: 12	You're correct....I missed a post. After I initially had the tires rotated and aligned at a local tire place, the noise and handling issue was not resolved. That was the point that I started asking questions here. I then took it to Nissan for a diagnosis....they originally fixed a broken engine mount and an oil coolant O-ring. The vibration stopped but the noise did not. I figured maybe it was a cupped tire or strut as indicated in one of the previous blogs. After my drive yesterday, I was forced to return to Nissan and kidnap the shop foreman. All issues, problems, and complaints have been satisfactorily resolved. I even met 3 different salesmen trying to unload the 2011 Titan. It's actually a good deal, but for now, I'm runnin the mighty mo until the wheels fall off!

12-21-2011, 11:41 PM	#14 (permalink)
Pilgrim Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 2,024	ooOOOOoo-kkkayyyy then. Good that it's settled. __________________ 2007 Murano 1983 280ZX Turbo 1994 BMW 325i

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