The Clonking Dinner Plate Noise!

[WoREoD]

As other people have mentioned they might have a similar noise / problem I though it might be worth starting a separate topic, so…..

The Clonking Dinner Plate noise!

What are the symptoms?
1) It comes from the rear axle area and usually seems to be on the nearside (see below).
2) Its doesn’t really sound like two dinner plates rattling in the boot, its more like two very large china meat servers – or an exhaust rattling cos one if its rubber loops has fallen off (that dates me!)
3) It happens mainly at speeds of up to 40mph on bumpy roads and can be reproduced on the same road at will.
4) It happens in Auto or manual, usually at a cruising speed.
5) It also happens in all three suspension settings.

What else?
1) Driving with the left foot on the brake pedal seems to make it not occur.
2) I’m beginning to suspect that the “nearside” aspect is actually induced by the camber of the road. First clue from this was the HPC technician who said he heard it on the offside a couple of times.

Whats does the HPC say?
1) They spent a day and half on this and everyone agreed its not the gearbox. They did numerous test runs, with and without the lower panel and with and without the boot mats and insulation, even to the point of getting the apprentice technician to ride in the boot!
2) The took off the pads, calipers, wheel hubs and checked every suspension bolt and fitting they could see.
3) They found the rear fog light mount was loose (all four bolts) but that didn’t cure it.
4) Nissan technical also got them to tighten up the shoes in the handbrake assembly.

But its still there!

I’ve looked at the similar topic on NAGTROC and a couple of people on there have described similar. However that topic seemed to go off on to all sorts of rattles so its difficult to sort through the possible causes. This is not a trim rattle!

My guess now is that its in the rear axle somewhere, but its not a limited slip diff clonk cos I know what that sounds like. GTR-SpecV said “that is prop shaft noise from front flywheel to rear gearbox”. I think that’s possible but why is it definitely at the rear of the car?

I’d like to know if anyone else has the same symptoms so as to get an idea of how widespread this is. My HPC and its technician have been brilliant about trying to find it but Id still love to track it down for a fix…… I have to drive below 50 sometimes…..

[RSPaul]

Yes - I definitely have this exact noise!

Pi$$ing me off, as the computer also crashes/freezes every time I use the car, so no music/radio to turn up to drown-out the boot full of crockery!

[Zed Ed]

I can't place this on mine, but I'll keep an ear open

My car generally makes sounds like Van Halen.

[Pugwash]

I was told to ignore all bangs, thumps, whistles, crashes and whizzes as it was normal.

I will now keep an ear out for this.

[stealth]

Mine used to stick when it was new and not engage reverse ,then when it did it shot back a bit with a massive clunk noise .I used to get a few rattles here and there ,they have all gone now and reverse is sweet.Just get some miles on the cars and they will most likely settle down.

[paul__k]

My 2 guesses based on the noise is not there when braking are:

1. Multi plate 1.5 way LSDs are notorious for noise at low speed tight turns and also up to about 50mph. The way the car is run in and the type of oil can also have an affect.

2. Pad rattle in the calipers.

No problems here as far as I can tell but happy to bring mine round for a comparison.

Paul

[Zed Ed]

yep, I've heard this now

corrugated concrete floor in a local car park brought it on

bit like a rampant morris dancer

[thoob]

I think the clatter might be the central jack point resonating on the rear diff, if you look under the car from the back, in the centre at the front of the carbon panel there is a metal dome, this panel/metal dome has movement in it.

[paul__k]

I've got it as well!!

[Naranja]

Me too. I've also got the one from the front but this is deffo brake pad rattle, I recognise it from years of Jap superbikes, does disappear under light pressure on the brake pedal. Nothing to worry about anyway.

[Pugwash]

Me too!!

[WoREoD]

Originally Posted by Naranja

Me too. I've also got the one from the front but this is deffo brake pad rattle, I recognise it from years of Jap superbikes, does disappear under light pressure on the brake pedal. Nothing to worry about anyway.

May not be anything to worry about but after 850 miles in five days its driving me round the bend........... Given that it occurs in every 40 or less speed limit zone (and there are lots of those round here) its spoiling the car for me.......

[maxxwaxx]

I dont have this so far anyway, hope you get to the bottom of it i know from tvr experience how these things can really get to you

[Robbie J]

mine sounds like 2 tin foil plates rubbing...

[Tariq]

Originally Posted by Robbie J

mine sounds like 2 tin foil plates rubbing...

Mines sounds like it has kicked big time in a curry house when stationary (500 miles only).