Maybe I should have bought a Ford!

3671 Views 21 Replies 14 Participants Last post by ATLtoCO Frontier, Feb 11, 2010

GBMotorsports

Discussion Starter · Feb 10, 2010 (Edited)

Just took my truck into the dealership again today. This time for a squeaking u joint. After 2 hours they told me they were going to replace the entire driveline. What does that entail? Is it normal for this to be happening at 49,000 miles?

Also, Occasionally when I hit the brakes I hear a horriible grinding noise coming from the front wheels and I can feel it in the brake pedal. Is that the ABS? Is anybody else having the same problem? When I asked the dealership about it they just kinda of shrugged it off since I cant duplicate it for them. (It seems to only happen when I start to slide as I brake)

Oh, and the truck has been squeaking in the front left wheel well(I believe its the suspension) and the techs told me that they had to wait until the driveline was fixed because they cant tell the difference between the sound of my effed up driveline and the squeak coming from the front wheel well. Brilliant!

OK, Im done ranting. Has anybody else experienced the same problems?

EDIT: Does anybody else hear a wierd noise after they shut there truck off coming from the vents?

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Clint

· #2 · Feb 10, 2010

The grinding noise? Does the pedal have a rapid pulsation at the same time? If yes it is the abs.
Entire driveline would be all the parts that's used to propel the truck.
They are fixing it rather than claim "it's normal" and sending you away.
Let them fix it and you'll be happy again.
I'll pretend I didn't see the ford comment.

Clint

GBMotorsports

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 10, 2010

Clint said:
The grinding noise? Does the pedal have a rapid pulsation at the same time? If yes it is the abs.
Entire driveline would be all the parts that's used to propel the truck.
They are fixing it rather than claim "it's normal" and sending you away.
Let them fix it and you'll be happy again.
I'll pretend I didn't see the ford comment.

Clint

Yes it does pulsate. I guess what I was trying to get at, is should I push for them to fix it or is this normal? Ive owned many fords and never had a problem with any of them. I bought the frontier because I have to drive A LOT for my job and wanted something that was better on mileage and supposed to be more reliable. So far I have been dissapointed and those F150s are looking more and more appealing every day.

Fishy_Frontier

· #4 · Feb 10, 2010

The u-joints in our trucks are non-greasable, therefore they wear out over time. It's not out of the ordinary for a u-joint to go bad at 49k. I have replaced all of my u-joints. I wouldn't consider it a problem if the dealer is fixing it hassle free under warranty.

If you are hearing the grinding noise when you are breaking and sliding then that is most definitely the abs. It's your truck compensating for driver error. You can solve that by either driving slower or changing your breaking technique.

The squeak in the front left could be the suspension. It's more likely that it is the hood bump stops or the hood latch though. Try greasing the bump stops and the hood latch with white lithium grease or any regular automotive or bicycle grease. I'd bet that stops the squeaking.

I'll ignore the Ford comment as well

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Griff

· #5 · Feb 10, 2010

The grinding is the ABS and even a Ford will do that...instead of locking up the brakes are pulsating so your wheels can maintain traction. As to your drivetrain, that stinks. As stated they could have blown you off until the warranty is up. Hate to say it, but if I were you I would trade up to a newer Frontier! I will admit the F150 was my 1st choice until I realized how much the total cost to own one was. Ford has done a great job with that truck even though it is very boring to drive even with the 5.6. But, after spending time with my Frontier I am beyond satisfied and wouldn't change a thing.

Not sure how you drove 50k miles and just now discovered the ABS system!

GBMotorsports

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 10, 2010

Im not new to ABS. None of my other vehicles that were equipped with it made such an awful grinding noise. It sounds like its metal to metal. Ive checked my brakes and they seem to be just fine, so I dont know whats wrong with them. And Fishy, the ABS isnt activated because of my driving style, its the other people on the road that I have to watch out for.

00 FRONTIER

· #7 · Feb 10, 2010 (Edited)

Uh-oh, someone broke out the ford comment again. Let's see... There it is:

http://www.clubfrontier.org/forums/f12/whats-f150-53929/

Agree that u-joints fail as they are non-servicable. I think you can replace just the u-joints if you really wanted to but for some reason the dealer replaces the entire shaft. I wouldnt complain. Squeaky front end? Someone on hear had to have their control arm re-torque'd or could be the hood stop, seems common.

Weird, someone else from Gresham on here. I thought I was on another planet!

Is Gresham Nissan taking care of those repairs?

Haulin3kidz

· #8 · Feb 10, 2010

The noise you refer to when braking is the ABS. And as a former F150 owner, yes it's a different sound/sensation, but normal. The noise from the vents is normal after you shut the truck off too (a little bit of a hiss and then the sound like a damper is closing?) While I do like my Frontier, I am beginning to have the same thoughts as the OP. My rear axle is howling (at 13k miles and I don't off-road) and I have a noisy belt tensioner. Both of which the local Nissan dealer can't seem to hear when I come in for service. Add the fact I had to make 5 trips to the dealer before they finally replaced my leaky rim/tire combo and I too have started to consider the 2010 F150. The gas mileage would be about the same as my Frontier and with my family of 5, I could use the bigger cab.

GBMotorsports

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 10, 2010

lol, I do agree the F 150s arent quite as nice as the frontier is when it comes to comfort and amenities. In my experience I have had no problems with a Ford vehicle.

Im perfectly ok with them replacing as much as they want, just so long as I dont have to pay the bill.

I will take a look at the Hood stop to see if that is the source of the sound but I dont think it is. And yes, Gresham Nissan is taking care of it.

rocket

· #10 · Feb 10, 2010

i had my rear U-joints replaced at about 60k. made a horrible squeal. if you still have a warranty then i would let them replace them. i believe the joints ran me about $60 a joint. glad i had the warranty.

20009

· #11 · Feb 10, 2010

Gonna buy a Ford? good luck, coarse they're way better than GM. The noise you hear is in fact the ABS stopping the wheels from sliding. They are suppost to do that. The squeak on the front MAY be that you need new pads. That's NORMAL wear, 25-30K. If it has a MANUAL trans, the clutch is reccommended to be replaced at around 65K but many go a lot longer, some not that long. On mine, the sending unit went out somewhere around there too on the fuel gauge but you know what? I got WELL over 130K on my truck now and the mofo still squeaks, still has no fuel gauge but it runs like a BAT OUT OF HELL!!! :laugh:
:hi:

dsent

· #12 · Feb 10, 2010

Is'nt FORD about to have a large recall as well?

I can't put my finger on it just now but I remember hearing something about it in the last couple of days.

colin123

· #13 · Feb 10, 2010

GBMotorsports said:
Just took my truck into the dealership again today. This time for a squeaking u joint. After 2 hours they told me they were going to replace the entire driveline. What does that entail? Is it normal for this to be happening at 49,000 miles?

Also, Occasionally when I hit the brakes I hear a horriible grinding noise coming from the front wheels and I can feel it in the brake pedal. Is that the ABS? Is anybody else having the same problem? When I asked the dealership about it they just kinda of shrugged it off since I cant duplicate it for them. (It seems to only happen when I start to slide as I brake)

Oh, and the truck has been squeaking in the front left wheel well(I believe its the suspension) and the techs told me that they had to wait until the driveline was fixed because they cant tell the difference between the sound of my effed up driveline and the squeak coming from the front wheel well. Brilliant!

OK, Im done ranting. Has anybody else experienced the same problems?

EDIT: Does anybody else hear a wierd noise after they shut there truck off coming from the vents?

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh: really man, really!! is this serious :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh: only happens when your sliding while braking, what do you think that is i mean come on dude. and oh no instead of taking apart your drive shaft and put it back together the just get an entire unit new as a whole and put it on so they don't have to mess with u joints thats horrible. maybe you should buy a ford and give this nissan to someone that will appreciate it

09Fronti6sp4x4

· #14 · Feb 10, 2010

You can go buy the POS deathtrap Ford my wife and I had to trade in because Ford MC wouldn't fix it. I don't think your familiar with ABS at all my Wife's new Pilot is the same way, and so is every new vehicle on the market.

Fishy_Frontier

· #15 · Feb 10, 2010

GBMotorsports said:
And Fishy, the ABS isnt activated because of my driving style, its the other people on the road that I have to watch out for.

No worries man. I just thought it might have been doing it in the dirt or in the wet or something. I've had my brakes growling a few times due to idiots on the road

ATLtoCO Frontier

· #16 · Feb 11, 2010

Bamps said:
Gonna buy a Ford? good luck, coarse they're way better than GM.

Based on what? The GMT-900s are great trucks. They're extremely reliable, drive amazingly well, and get the best MPG. The new Fords aren't bad, but their current engine options really let them down. The front end is hideous too, but that is a personal preference. GM and the new Dodge's are the best half tons on the market. Ford will be right there with them when their new V8 comes out next year.

dsinkster

· #17 · Feb 11, 2010

My U joints squeak like crazy and I only have 17k miles

GBMotorsports

Discussion Starter · #18 · Feb 11, 2010

colin123 said:
:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh: really man, really!! is this serious :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh: only happens when your sliding while braking, what do you think that is i mean come on dude. and oh no instead of taking apart your drive shaft and put it back together the just get an entire unit new as a whole and put it on so they don't have to mess with u joints thats horrible. maybe you should buy a ford and give this nissan to someone that will appreciate it

How old are you? Making fun of people on the net is like competing in the special olympics, even if you win your still retarded. I'm not referring to the sound of tires sliding, or the brakes grabbing. This is a metal on metal grind. I have checked my brake pads/rotors and cant find anything wrong with them. I have owned many cars from many different manufacturers with out any problems from any of them. This NISSAN has been into the dealership 5 times since I bought it barely over a year ago. I cant speak for everybody but as far as im concerned that doesnt speak well for there reliability.

For everybody who has given helpful information without turning this into a ford vs. nissan bash I thank you.

colin123

· #19 · Feb 11, 2010

GBMotorsports said:
How old are you? Making fun of people on the net is like competing in the special olympics, even if you win your still retarded. I'm not referring to the sound of tires sliding, or the brakes grabbing. This is a metal on metal grind. I have checked my brake pads/rotors and cant find anything wrong with them. I have owned many cars from many different manufacturers with out any problems from any of them. This NISSAN has been into the dealership 5 times since I bought it barely over a year ago. I cant speak for everybody but as far as im concerned that doesnt speak well for there reliability.

For everybody who has given helpful information without turning this into a ford vs. nissan bash I thank you.

dude your taking in your nissan complaining about the noise it makes when your sliding while braking and mad that they can't reproduce the noise. the reason you or anyone else can't find anything wrong with it is because there is nothing wrong, its called an AntilockBrakeSystem or ABS for short. taking a vehicle into the dealership a bunch of times to try and find a problem that isn't there hardly counts against the reliability of the vehicle just towards the ignorance of the driver. from the sound of it you seem to engage your ABS a fair bit which is probably more of a reflection of your driving than anything else, slow down and stop riding peoples butts. your asking me how old i am and your making remarks at the expense of mental challenged people. on top of that your saying you didn't want to make this a ford vs nissan thing but make a thread with the title of maybe i should have bought a ford, come on dude could you possibly put your foot in your mouth any more than you already have.

have you ever even read your manual:

You may feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal and hear a noise from under the hood or
feel a vibration from the actuator when it is operating.
This is normal and indicates that the ABS is
operating properly. However, the pulsation may
indicate that road conditions are hazardous and
extra care is required while driving.

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[email protected]

· #20 · Feb 11, 2010

Brakes

The grinding noise is from inferior stock brake rotors, i got premium after market rotors and no grinding.

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