NISSAN X-TRAIL 2003 Service Repair Manual

SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES
BL-7
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
K
L
MA
B
BL

DUPLICATE THE NOISE AND TEST DRIVE
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 you confirm the repair.
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:
1) Close a door.
2) Tap or push/pull around the area where the noise appears to be coming from.
3) Rev the engine.
4) Use a floor jack to recreate vehicle “twist”.
5) At idle, apply engine load (electrical load, half-clutch on M/T model, drive position on A/T model).
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 that 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
(Engine Ear or mechanics stethoscope).
2. Narrow down the noise to a more specific area and identify the cause of the noise by:

removing the components in the area that you suspect the noise is coming from.
Do not use too much force when removing clips and fasteners, otherwise clips and fastener can be broken
or lost during the repair, resulting in the creation of new noise.

tapping or pushing/pulling the component that you suspect is causing the noise.
Do not tap or push/pull the component with excessive force, otherwise the noise will be eliminated only
temporarily.

feeling for a vibration with your hand by touching the component(s) that you suspect is (are) causing the
noise.

placing a piece of paper between components that you suspect are causing the noise.

looking for loose components and contact marks.
Refer to BL-8, "
Generic Squeak and Rattle Troubleshooting" .
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 ure-
thane tape are available through your authorized Nissan Parts Department.
CAUTION:
Do not use excessive force as many components are constructed of plastic and may be damaged.
Always check with the Parts Department for the latest parts information.
Each item can be ordered separately as needed.
URETHANE PADS [1.5 mm (0.059 in) thick]
Insulates connectors, harness, etc.
76268-9E005: 100 × 135 mm (3.94 × 5.31 in)/76884-71L01: 60×85 mm (2.36 × 3.35 in)/76884-71L02: 15 ×
25 mm (0.59 × 0.98 in)
INSULATOR (Foam blocks)
Insulates components from contact.Can be used to fill space behind a panel.
73982-9E000: 45 mm (1.77 in) thick, 50 × 50 mm (1.97 × 1.97 in)/73982-50Y00: 10 mm (0.39 in) think,
50 × 50 mm (1.97 × 1.97 in)
INSULATOR (Light foam block)
80845-71L00: 30 mm (1.18 in) thick, 30 × 50 mm (1.18 × 1.97 in)

BL-8
SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES

FELT CLOTHTAPE
Used to insulate where movement does not occur. Ideal for instrument panel applications.
68370-4B000: 15 × 25 mm (0.59 × 0.98 in) pad/68239-13E00: 5 mm (0.20 in) wide tape roll
The following materials, not available through NISSAN Parts Department, can also be used to repair
squeaks and rattles.
UHMW(TEFLON) TAPE
Insulates where slight movement is present. Ideal for instrument panel applications.
SILICONE GREASE
Used in of UHMW tape that will be visible or not fit.
Note: Will only last a few months.
SILICONE SPRAY
Use when grease cannot be applied.
DUCT TAPE
Use to eliminate movement.
CONFIRM THE REPAIR
Confirm that the cause of a 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.
Generic Squeak and Rattle TroubleshootingEIS008PS
Refer to Table of Contents for specific component removal and installation information.
INSTRUMENT PANEL
Most incidents are caused by contact and movement between:
1. 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 apply-
ing felt cloth tape or silicon spray (in hard to reach areas). Urethane pads can be used to insulate wiring har-
ness.
CAUTION:
Do not use silicone spray to isolate a squeak or rattle. If you saturate the area with silicone, you will
not be able to recheck the repair.
CENTER CONSOLE
Components to pay attention to 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 to
repair the noise.

SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES
BL-9
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
K
L
MA
B
BL

TRUNK
Trunk noises are often caused by a loose jack or loose items put into the trunk by the owner.
In addition look for:
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:
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.
SEATS
When isolating seat noise it's important to note the position the seat is in and the load placed on the seat when
the noise is present. These conditions should be duplicated when verifying and isolating the cause of the
noise.
Cause of seat noise include:
1. Headrest rods and holder
2. A squeak between the seat pad cushion and frame
3. 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 engine wall. The noise is then
transmitted into the passenger compartment.
Causes of transmitted underhood noise include:
1. Any component mounted to the engine wall
2. Components that pass through the engine wall
3. Engine wall mounts and connectors
4. Loose radiator mounting pins
5. Hood bumpers out of adjustment
6. Hood striker out of adjustment
These noise 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, engine 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.

BL-10
SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES

Diagnostic WorksheetEIS008PT
PIIB0723E

SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES
BL-11
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
K
L
MA
B
BL

SBT844

BL-12
HOOD

HOODPFP:65100
Fitting AdjustmentEIS009QH
LONGITUDINAL AND LATERAL CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT
1. Remove hood lock assembly, loosen the hood hinge nuts and close the hood.
2. Adjust the lateral and longitudinal clearance, and open the hood to tighten the hood hinge mounting bolts
to the specified torque.
3. Install the hood lock temporarily, and align the hood striker and lock so that the centers of striker and lock
become vertical viewed from the front, by moving the hood lock laterally.
4. Tighten hood lock mounting bolts to the specified torque.
FRONT END HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
1. Remove the hood lock and adjust the height by rotating the bumper rubber until the hood becomes 1 to1.5
mm (0.04 to 0.059 in) lower than the fender.
PIIB1215E

HOOD
BL-13
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
K
L
MA
B
BL

2. Temporarily tighten the hood lock, and position it by engaging it with the hood striker. Check the lock and
striker for looseness, and tighten the hood lock mounting bolts to the specified torque.
CAUTION:
Adjust right/left clearance between hood and each part to the following specification.
Hood and front grille (A–A) : Less than 1.0 mm (0.04 in)
Hood and fender (B–B) : Less than 1.0 mm (0.04 in)

BL-14
HOOD

SURFACE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
1. Remove hood lock, and adjust the surface height difference of hood, fender and headlamp according to
the fitting standard dimension, by rotating RH and LH bumper rubbers.
2. Install hood lock temporarily, and move hood lock laterally until the centers of striker and lock become ver-
tical when viewed from the front.
3. Make sure that the hood lock secondary latch is properly
engaged with the secondary striker with hood's own weight.
4. Make sure that the hood lock primary latch is securely engaged
with the hood striker with hood's own weight by dropping hood
from approx. 200 mm(7.87 in) height.
CAUTION:
Do not drop hood from a height of 300 mm (11.81 in) or
more.
5. Move hood lockup and down until striker smoothly engages the
lock when the hood is closed.
6. When pulling the hood opener lever gently, make sure that front
end of the hood rises by approximately 20 mm (0.79 in) and that hood striker and hood lock primary latch
is disengaged. Also make sure that hood opener returns to the original position.
7. After adjustment, tighten lock bolts to the specified torque.
PIIB1082E

HOOD
BL-15
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
K
L
MA
B
BL

Removal and Installation of Hood AssemblyEIS009QI
REMOVAL
1. Disconnect washer hose at the connection.
2. Remove hood hinge mounting nuts on the hood and then the hood assembly.
CAUTION:
Operate with two workers, because of its heavy weight.
INSTALLATION
Install in the reverse order of removal.
CAUTION:

Before installing hood hinge, apply anticorrosive agent onto the mounting surface of the vehicle
body.

After installing, perform hood fitting adjustment. Refer to BL-12, "Fitting Adjustment" .
SIIA0154E

BL-16
HOOD

Removal and Installation of Hood Lock ControlEIS009QJ
REMOVAL
1. Remove hood lock cable from hood lock and clip of upper por-
tion of radiator core support and hood ledge.
2. Remove dash side finisher. Refer to EI-35, "
BODY SIDE TRIM" .
3. Remove attaching screw and then the hood opener.
4. Remove dash panel grommet and pull hood lock cable toward
the passenger compartment.
NOTE:
When pulling the cable, be careful not to strip or scratch the
outer surface.
INSTALLATION
1. Pass hood lock cable through the opening while keeping the
winding radius 100 mm (3.94 in) or larger.
2. After confirming that the grommet is properly positioned, push
the grommet securely into the hole.
3. Apply sealant to the area on the grommet indicated with the *
mark.
PIIA3650E
SIIA0156E
PIIA0173E