Nissan Pathfinder (2011 year). Manual - part 471

SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES

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SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES

Work Flow

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CUSTOMER INTERVIEW

Interview the customer if possible, to determine the conditions that exist when the noise occurs. Use the Diag-

nostic Worksheet during the interview to document the facts and conditions when the noise occurs and any

customer's comments; refer to 

IP-9, "Diagnostic Worksheet"

. This information is necessary to duplicate the

conditions that exist when the noise occurs.

• The customer may not be able to provide a detailed description or the location of the noise. Attempt to obtain

all the facts and conditions that exist when the noise occurs (or does not occur).

• If there is more than one noise in the vehicle, be sure to diagnose and repair the noise that the customer is

concerned about. This can be accomplished by test driving the vehicle with the customer.   

• After identifying the type of noise, isolate the noise in terms of its characteristics. The noise characteristics

are provided so the customer, service adviser and technician are all speaking the same language when

defining the noise.

• Squeak —(Like tennis shoes on a clean floor)

Squeak characteristics include the light contact/fast movement/brought on by road conditions/hard surfaces

= higher pitch noise/softer surfaces = lower pitch noises/edge to surface = chirping. 

• Creak—(Like walking on an old wooden floor)

Creak characteristics include firm contact/slow movement/twisting with a rotational movement/pitch depen-

dent on materials/often brought on by activity.

• Rattle—(Like shaking a baby rattle)

Rattle characteristics include the fast repeated contact/vibration or similar movement/loose parts/missing

clip or fastener/incorrect clearance.

• Knock —(Like a knock on a door)

Knock characteristics include hollow sounding/sometimes repeating/often brought on by driver action.

• Tick—(Like a clock second hand)

Tick characteristics include gentle contacting of light materials/loose components/can be caused by driver

action or road conditions.

• Thump—(Heavy, muffled knock noise)

Thump characteristics include softer knock/dead sound often brought on by activity.

• Buzz—(Like a bumble bee)

Buzz characteristics include high frequency rattle/firm contact.

• Often the degree of acceptable noise level will vary depending upon the person. A noise that you may judge

as acceptable may be very irritating to the customer.

• Weather conditions, especially humidity and temperature, may have a great effect on noise level.

DUPLICATE THE NOISE AND TEST DRIVE

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SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES

If possible, drive the vehicle with the customer until the noise is duplicated. Note any additional information on

the Diagnostic Worksheet regarding the conditions or location of the noise. This information can be used to

duplicate the same conditions when you confirm the repair.

If the noise can be duplicated easily during the test drive, to help identify the source of the noise, try to dupli-

cate the noise with the vehicle stopped by doing one or all of the following:

1) Close a door.

2) Tap or push/pull around the area where the noise appears to be coming from.

3) Rev the engine.

4) Use a floor jack to recreate vehicle “twist”.

5) At idle, apply engine load (electrical load, half-clutch on M/T model, drive position on CVT and A/T models).

6) Raise the vehicle on a hoist and hit a tire with a rubber hammer.

• Drive the vehicle and attempt to duplicate the conditions the customer states exist when the noise occurs.

• If it is difficult to duplicate the noise, drive the vehicle slowly on an undulating or rough road to stress the

vehicle body.

CHECK RELATED SERVICE BULLETINS

After verifying the customer concern or symptom, check ASIST for Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) related

to that concern or symptom.

If a TSB relates to the symptom, follow the procedure to repair the noise.

LOCATE THE NOISE AND IDENTIFY THE ROOT CAUSE

1. Narrow down the noise to a general area. To help pinpoint the source of the noise, use a listening tool

(Chassis Ear: J-39570, Engine Ear: J-39565 and mechanic's stethoscope).

2. Narrow down the noise to a more specific area and identify the cause of the noise by:

• removing the components in the area that you suspect the noise is coming from.

Do not use too much force when removing clips and fasteners, otherwise clips and fasteners can be

broken or lost during the repair, resulting in the creation of new noise.

• tapping or pushing/pulling the component that you suspect is causing the noise.

Do not tap or push/pull the component with excessive force, otherwise the noise will be eliminated only

temporarily.

• feeling for a vibration with your hand by touching the component(s) that you suspect is (are) causing the

noise.

• placing a piece of paper between components that you suspect are causing the noise.

• looking for loose components and contact marks.

Refer to 

IP-7, "Generic Squeak and Rattle Troubleshooting"

.

REPAIR THE CAUSE 

• If the cause is a loose component, tighten the component securely.

• If the cause is insufficient clearance between components:

- separate components by repositioning or loosening and retightening the component, if possible.

- insulate components with a suitable insulator such as urethane pads, foam blocks, felt cloth tape or urethane

tape. A NISSAN Squeak and Rattle Kit (J-43980) is available through your authorized NISSAN Parts Depart-

ment.

CAUTION:

Do not use excessive force as many components are constructed of plastic and may be damaged.

Always check with the Parts Department for the latest parts information.

The following materials are contained in the NISSAN Squeak and Rattle Kit (J-43980). Each item can be

ordered separately as needed.

URETHANE PADS [1.5 mm (0.059 in) thick]

Insulates connectors, harness, etc.

76268-9E005: 100

×

135 mm (3.94

×

5.31 in)/76884-71L01: 60

×

85 mm (2.36

×

3.35 in)/76884-71L02: 15

×

25

mm (0.59

×

0.98 in)

INSULATOR (Foam blocks)

Insulates components from contact. Can be used to fill space behind a panel.

73982-9E000: 45 mm (1.77 in) thick, 50

×

50 mm (1.97

×

1.97 in)/73982-50Y00: 10 mm (0.39 in) thick,

50

×

50 mm (1.97

×

1.97 in)

INSULATOR (Light foam block)

80845-71L00: 30 mm (1.18 in) thick, 30

×

50 mm (1.18

×

1.97 in)

FELT CLOTH TAPE

Used to insulate where movement does not occur. Ideal for instrument panel applications.

68370-4B000: 15

×

25 mm (0.59

×

0.98 in) pad/68239-13E00: 5 mm (0.20 in) wide tape roll. The following

materials not found in the kit can also be used to repair squeaks and rattles.

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SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES

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UHMW (TEFLON) TAPE 

Insulates where slight movement is present. Ideal for instrument panel applications.

SILICONE GREASE

Used instead of UHMW tape that will be visible or not fit.

Note: Will only last a few months.

SILICONE SPRAY

Use when grease cannot be applied.

DUCT TAPE

Use to eliminate movement.

CONFIRM THE REPAIR

Confirm that the cause of a noise is repaired by test driving the vehicle. Operate the vehicle under the same

conditions as when the noise originally occurred. Refer to the notes on the Diagnostic Worksheet.

Generic Squeak and Rattle Troubleshooting

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Refer to Table of Contents for specific component removal and installation information.

INSTRUMENT PANEL

Most incidents are caused by contact and movement between:
1. Cluster lid A and the instrument panel
2. Acrylic lens and combination meter housing
3. Instrument panel to front pillar finisher
4. Instrument panel to windshield
5. Instrument panel pins
6. Wiring harnesses behind the combination meter 
7. A/C defroster duct and duct joint
These incidents can usually be located by tapping or moving the components to duplicate the noise or by

pressing on the components while driving to stop the noise. Most of these incidents can be repaired by apply-

ing felt cloth tape or silicone spray (in hard to reach areas). Urethane pads can be used to insulate wiring har-

ness.

CAUTION:

Do not use silicone spray to isolate a squeak or rattle. If you saturate the area with silicone, you will

not be able to recheck the repair.

CENTER CONSOLE

Components to pay attention to include:
1. Shift selector assembly cover to finisher
2. A/C control unit and cluster lid C
3. Wiring harnesses behind audio and A/C control unit
The instrument panel repair and isolation procedures also apply to the center console.

DOORS

Pay attention to the:
1. Finisher and inner panel making a slapping noise
2. Inside handle escutcheon to door finisher
3. Wiring harnesses tapping 
4. Door striker out of alignment causing a popping noise on starts and stops
Tapping or moving the components or pressing on them while driving to duplicate the conditions can isolate

many of these incidents. You can usually insulate the areas with felt cloth tape or insulator foam blocks from

the NISSAN Squeak and Rattle Kit (J-43980) to repair the noise.

TRUNK

Trunk noises are often caused by a loose jack or loose items put into the trunk by the owner.

In addition look for:
1. Trunk lid bumpers out of adjustment
2. Trunk lid striker out of adjustment 
3. The trunk lid torsion bars knocking together

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4. A loose license plate or bracket
Most of these incidents can be repaired by adjusting, securing or insulating the item(s) or component(s) caus-

ing the noise.

SUNROOF/HEADLINING

Noises in the sunroof/headlining area can often be traced to one of the following:
1. Sunroof lid, rail, linkage or seals making a rattle or light knocking noise
2. Sun visor shaft shaking in the holder
3. Front or rear windshield touching headliner and squeaking 
Again, pressing on the components to stop the noise while duplicating the conditions can isolate most of these

incidents. Repairs usually consist of insulating with felt cloth tape.

OVERHEAD CONSOLE (FRONT AND REAR)

Overhead console noises are often caused by the console panel clips not being engaged correctly. Most of

these incidents are repaired by pushing up on the console at the clip locations until the clips engage.

In addition look for:
1. Loose harness or harness connectors.
2. Front console map/reading lamp lens loose.
3. Loose screws at console attachment points.

SEATS

When isolating seat noise it's important to note the position the seat is in and the load placed on the seat when

the noise is present. These conditions should be duplicated when verifying and isolating the cause of the

noise.

Cause of seat noise include: 
1. Headrest rods and holder 
2. A squeak between the seat pad cushion and frame 
3. The rear seatback lock and bracket 
These noises can be isolated by moving or pressing on the suspected components while duplicating the con-

ditions under which the noise occurs. Most of these incidents can be repaired by repositioning the component

or applying urethane tape to the contact area.

UNDERHOOD

Some interior noise may be caused by components under the hood or on the engine wall. The noise is then

transmitted into the passenger compartment.

Causes of transmitted underhood noise include:
1. Any component installed to the engine wall
2. Components that pass through the engine wall
3. Engine wall mounts and connectors
4. Loose radiator installation pins
5. Hood bumpers out of adjustment 
6. Hood striker out of adjustment
These noises can be difficult to isolate since they cannot be reached from the interior of the vehicle. The best

method is to secure, move or insulate one component at a time and test drive the vehicle. Also, engine rpm or

load can be changed to isolate the noise. Repairs can usually be made by moving, adjusting, securing, or

insulating the component causing the noise.

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SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES

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Diagnostic Worksheet

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INSTRUMENT PANEL ASSEMBLY

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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

INSTRUMENT PANEL ASSEMBLY

Exploded View

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1.

Display unit bracket RH/LH

2.

Steering member assembly

3.

Knee protector

4.

Instrument stay RH/LH

5.

Knee protector brace

6.

Speaker grille RH/LH

7.

Instrument lower panel LH

8.

Cluster lid A

9.

Side ventilator grille RH/LH

10. Combination meter

11.

Steering lock escutcheon

12. Column cover upper

13. Column cover lower

14.

Cluster lid C

15. Display unit

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INSTRUMENT PANEL ASSEMBLY

Removal and Installation

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INSTRUMENT PANEL

Removal

CAUTION:

Before servicing, turn the ignition switch off, disconnect both battery terminals, then wait at least

three minutes.

1. Disconnect both the negative and positive battery terminals, then wait at least three minutes.
2. Remove the center console. Refer to 

IP-21, "Removal and Installation"

.

3. Remove the combination meter. Refer to 

MWI-88, "Removal and Installation"

.

4. Remove front pillar upper finisher. Refer to 

INT-19, "Removal and Installation"

.

5. Remove optical sensor. Refer to 

EXL-147, "Removal and Installation"

.

6. Remove AV control unit. Refer to 

AV-33, "Removal and Installation"

 for BASE AUDIO, 

AV-113, "Removal

and Installation"

 for MID AUDIO, 

AV-256, "Removal and Installation"

 for BOSE AUDIO WITHOUT NAVI-

GATION, or 

AV-420, "Removal and Installation"

 for BOSE AUDIO WITH NAVIGATION.

7. Remove display unit, if equipped. Refer to 

AV-115, "Removal and Installation"

 for MID AUDIO, 

AV-258,

"Removal and Installation"

 for BOSE AUDIO WITHOUT NAVIGATION, or 

AV-422, "Removal and Installa-

tion"

 for BOSE AUDIO WITH NAVIGATION.

8. Remove cluster lid D. Refer to 

IP-17, "Removal and Installation"

.

9. Disconnect GPS antenna (if equipped).
10. Remove the passenger air bag module. Refer to 

SR-9, "Removal and Installation"

.

11. Remove the instrument stay RH/LH bolts.
12. Remove instrument panel and pad assembly.

• Disconnect all remaining harnesses.

Installation

Installation is in the reverse order of removal.

STEERING COLUMN COVER

Removal

1. Remove front pillar lower finisher LH. Refer to 

INT-19, "Removal and Installation"

.

2. Remove intstrument lower panel LH. Refer to 

IP-14, "Removal and Installation"

.

3. Remove the steering column cover screws, then remove the steering column upper and lower covers.

Installation

Installation is in the reverse order of removal.

16. Center ventilator grill RH/LH

17.

Cluster lid D

18. AV control unit

19. A/C and AV switch assembly

20.

Lower glove box latch assembly

21. Lower glove box

22. Fuse block cover

23.

Lower glove box damper assembly 24. Lower instrument panel RH

25. Upper glove box door

26.

Upper glove box

27. Instrument side finisher

28. Instrument panel and pad assembly 29.

Passenger air bag module

2011 Pathfinder