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Nissan Leaf. Manual - part 867

SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES

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SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS

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 comments. Refer to

INT-17, "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, perform a diagnosis and repair the noise that the customer is

concerned about. This can be accomplished by performing a test drive with the customer.

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

are provided so that the customer, service adviser, and technician use the same language when describing

the noise.

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

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

faces = high-pitched noise / softer surfaces = low-pitched 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

dependent on materials / often brought on by activity.

• Rattle – (Like shaking a baby rattle)

Rattle characteristics include 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 sounds / 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 / dull sounds often brought on by activity.

• Buzz – (Like a bumblebee)

Buzz characteristics include high frequency rattle / firm contact.

• Often the degree of acceptable noise level varies depending upon the person. A noise that a technician may

judge as acceptable may be very irritating to a customer.

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

DUPLICATE THE NOISE AND TEST DRIVE

SBT842

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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 the repair is reconfirmed.

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 items:

1) Close a door.

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

3) Rev the motor.

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

5) At idle, apply motor load (electrical load, half-clutch on M/T models, drive position on 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 the 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, and mechanics stethoscope).

2. Narrow down the noise to a more specific area and identify the cause of the noise by:
• Removing the component(s) in the area that is / are suspected to be the cause of the noise.

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(s) that is / are suspected to be the cause of the noise.

Do not tap or push/pull the component(s) with excessive force, otherwise the noise is eliminated only tempo-

rarily.

• Feeling for a vibration by hand by touching the component(s) that is / are suspected to be the cause of the

noise.

• Placing a piece of paper between components that are suspected to be the cause of the noise.

• Looking for loose components and contact marks.

Refer to

INT-15, "Inspection Procedure"

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-50397) 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.

NOTE:

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

• The materials contained in the NISSAN Squeak and Rattle Kit (J-50397) are listed on the inside cover of the

kit; and can each be ordered seperately as needed.

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

- SILICONE GREASE: Use instead of UHMW tape that will be visible or does not fit. The silicone grease will

only last a few months.

- SILICONE SPRAY: Use when grease cannot be applied.

- DUCT TAPE: Use to eliminate movement.

CONFIRM THE REPAIR

After repair is complete, test drive the vehicle to confirm that the cause of 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.

SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES

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Inspection Procedure

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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. The cluster lid A and instrument panel
2. Acrylic lens and combination meter housing
3. Instrument panel to front pillar garnish
4. Instrument panel to windshield
5. Instrument panel mounting 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

applying felt cloth tape or silicon spray (in hard to reach areas). Urethane pads can be used to insulate

wiring harness.

CAUTION:

Never use silicone spray to isolate a squeak or rattle. If the area is saturated with silicone, the

recheck of repair becomes impossible.

CENTER CONSOLE

Components to check include:
1. Shifter 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-50397) to repair the noise.

TRUNK

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

In addition check for the following items:
1. Trunk lid dumpers out of adjustment
2. Trunk lid striker out of adjustment
3. Trunk lid torsion bars knocking together
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 items:
1. Sunroof lid, rail, linkage, or seals making a rattle or light knocking noise
2. Sunvisor shaft shaking in the holder
3. Front or rear windshield touching headlining 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.

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SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES

SEATS

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

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

noise.

Causes 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 motor wall. The noise is then

transmitted into the passenger compartment.

Causes of transmitted underhood noise include:
1. Any component mounted to the motor wall
2. Components that pass through the motor wall
3. Motor wall mounts and connectors
4. Loose radiator mounting 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, motor 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.

Content .. 865 866 867 868 ..