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Rumble at 40-45, Possible Transmission Issue!?

4.7K views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  Flashy23  
#1 ·
Hey All,

Been a while since I've been on here. I have a friend who has a 2007 X and gave the following description of his issue. Any help/comments is appreciated!

When going moderately along at about 40-45 mph, often there will be a “rumble” noise and feeling as the XTerra tries to change gears. It feels nearly exactly like going over mild rumble strips or bumps, which is what I thought it was the first few times. Eventually I realized it was having trouble shifting.

If I push the “O/D off” button such that overdrive is OFF, the problem doesn’t happen. So, I think that it occurs trying to shift into the highest gear.

If I accelerate to highway speed, there is no problem shifting into the highest gear. It is only on intermediate-speed type roads at ~40-45 mph that the problem occurs.

Have you seen that before or have an idea what it could be?​
 
#5 · (Edited)
Hey Munkman,

I am willing to bet that your rumble has nothing to do with leaking radiator fluid but you better check all the same.

So under no power and while coasting, the 'rumble' is absent?

Only while changing gears?

I'm thinking U-Joint, C-joint, possibly transfer case.
 
#6 ·
Thanks for the suggestions/comments everyone. I passed them all to my friend who eventually got things figured out and replied back and I figured it was worth posting just in case someone searches for this in the future!

Pull the radiator cap and check the color for the strawberry milkshake of death .Green ok
pink, trans is dead.
It was green, so that’s good!


Check your transmission fluid level. If it's low then there isn't enough fluid to shift properly as auto trannys use the fluid to shift.
The transmission fluid was pretty low! (Funny you have to loosen a bolt to pull out the dipstick…)

So under no power and while coasting, the 'rumble' is absent?
Correct.

Only while changing gears?
Yes it seems that way.

The last comment got me thinking. Can/have you gone faster than 40-45mph? With O/D on and O/D off? What happens? Increased vibration/rumble or does it go away?
Yes I have gone up to 75mph with no problems, with O/D on and off. The problem goes away at those speeds.

Once I finally checked the fluid level and saw it was low (ok, I should have done that way earlier!), I decided to take it in for a transmission service (drain & flush). Since then the problem is very significantly improved, but not completely gone. The rumble now seems reduced in magnitude, so I’d say things just seem a little “rough” but not nearly as loud or obvious. Also, it occurs less frequently. At this point I would say it is noticeable to me because I know what has been happening, but it would not be too noticeable for someone new to the car. I wonder if maybe in the “low fluid” condition I broke a couple of teeth on gears or something.
 
#7 ·
Thanks for the suggestions/comments everyone. I passed them all to my friend who eventually got things figured out and replied back and I figured it was worth posting just in case someone searches for this in the future!


It was green, so that’s good!



The transmission fluid was pretty low! (Funny you have to loosen a bolt to pull out the dipstick…)


Correct.


Yes it seems that way.


Yes I have gone up to 75mph with no problems, with O/D on and off. The problem goes away at those speeds.

Once I finally checked the fluid level and saw it was low (ok, I should have done that way earlier!), I decided to take it in for a transmission service (drain & flush). Since then the problem is very significantly improved, but not completely gone. The rumble now seems reduced in magnitude, so I’d say things just seem a little “rough” but not nearly as loud or obvious. Also, it occurs less frequently. At this point I would say it is noticeable to me because I know what has been happening, but it would not be too noticeable for someone new to the car. I wonder if maybe in the “low fluid” condition I broke a couple of teeth on gears or something.
Just wondering if you had the transmission looked maybe, or are you just living with the rumble. I'm only asking since I'm seeing the exact same condition with my 2007 Xterra.
 
#8 ·
Once I finally checked the fluid level and saw it was low (ok, I should have done that way earlier!), I decided to take it in for a transmission service (drain & flush). Since then the problem is very significantly improved, but not completely gone. The rumble now seems reduced in magnitude, so I’d say things just seem a little “rough” but not nearly as loud or obvious. Also, it occurs less frequently. At this point I would say it is noticeable to me because I know what has been happening, but it would not be too noticeable for someone new to the car. I wonder if maybe in the “low fluid” condition I broke a couple of teeth on gears or something.
Just wondering if you had the transmission looked at since posting this, or if you're just living with the rumble. I'm having the same problem with my 2007 X as well.

(Sorry if repost. The first time I tried to post this it didn't seem to appear.)
 
#9 ·
I think I am having the same problem with my Xterra 2007. The noise comes up while between 40-60mph after which it levels out. The noise is so disturbing not having enjoyed my Xterra's performance so far.

Please any hint on what to do? Not minding the cost. I have done tire alignment, checked the transmission fluid, U-joint, C-joint, wheel balancing. I need my Xterra back in top shape. Thank you.