Now that the weather is cooling off, I was driving around tonight with the windows down. When in first gear, upon acceleration or deceleration, I could hear a metallic raspy crackling/creaking sound... sounds like about the right rear wheel area... coming from under the car. Strange noise, like rough metal on rough metal. It was not related to bumps or anything, but only under acceleration or deceleration. Leads me to believe a movement in the transmission or diff or something, since it was load based.

Going to the dealer... any ideas?

 

This TSB might help you. http://www.infinitihelp.com/Ownershi.../ITB05-002.htm

 

Please let us know what you find out. I heard the exact same noise as soon as the temperture dropped this fall. If this is a problem, I would like to get it fixed before my warranty expires.

 

A little clarification - it only occurs at the start of acceleration, or the start of deceleration... when the vehicle transitions from one state to another... it doesn't continue as the vehicle continues to accelerate. That's why I would assume it is suspension or transmission related, occuring at the point when an assembly shifts between a "state" of rest, and a "state" of being under load.

 

Happened to me too. There are two tsb's for it. One is to remove and replace the rear outer joint, and the other (which they did to mine) is to apply Moly grease to the outer joint where it slips into the spline. Mine has been fine now for about 5 months since they did this, and I had the exact same symptoms as you.

 

Oh, see I should have read first...that first TSB post is the correct one.

 

So... I went to the dealer and had a tech ride along.

He was aware of the TSB, but noted that he couldn't perform it because the bolts that hold the axles on are single-use... and are backordered... and have been for 2 months+.

Hmph.