Just had my 05 SL serviced for TSB 05021 (exhaust rattle/buzz). The noise and vibration would manifest itself upon acceleration, and the TSB is listed in the "problems w/ 6th gen" sticky. There is a bracket that supports the "catalyst front tube" that is an issue. Mine had a bolt missing and was cracked. So, how many of you out there have experienced this issue?

My build date is October, 2004

I think it's time for another poll...

 

Do one better WSU...build date

The TSB addresses the problem from the the front under the car. Go look at the stickies.

Mine 03/04

 

WSU, do you hear it from the front or back?

I have this from the front,(only on acceleration).... going to take it in soon, hope its the TSB you listed.

Build date 5/03.

 

It's definitely from the front and only on acceleration, none during just idling, decellerating, or revving while not moving. My symptoms were such that the vibration could be felt through the accelerator pedal, and if I was driving past a close building the reflected sound was pronounced so that I had a greater appreciation for the loudness of the sound.

If you take it in to the dealership and it is this problem (the catalyst bracket), it shouldn't take them long to fix (though they may have to order a part). Hopefully, your issue will be straighforward to resolve. You may want to download the TSB with the picture from the link on the sticky. Not only will you have a clearer idea of what the problem might be, it will let the dealership know that you are an informed owner.

 

I got that front bracket replaced not too long ago, it didnt fix the problem, and my tech advisor is aware of it and believes that they have to replace the entire front tube. Im taking my car in tomorrow and ill update this thread.

 

Thanks for this additional information. In my case the dealereship had to order to part and put a temporaty fix in place. Right now it isn't rattling/buzzing. When I get the new bracket installed I'll know what to pursue if the problem isn't completely ameliorated. I'll get mine fixed early next week.

 

I took mine to the dealer last week for the buzz / rattle noise present at idle, acceleration and shifting at various times off and on. They checked out the bracket and said it was fine but a bolt was missing and they installed a new bolt in it. Since then the noise is gone and all is well. I didn't get under the car myself to check it but I may this weekend just to see what it looks like. Only problem I have had at all so far so I feel pretty fortunate if a missing exhaust bracket bolt is all I have to deal with.

 

Well i got my car back today from the dealer. I went to replace the rear left inner deck panel, and told my service advisor that the rattle was still there, so he told his techs to double check everything and make sure nothing is wrong. They did, i think, but no luck, it still rattles off the start and thats all. Imma call my service tech tomorrow to see whats up.

 

ok sorry for the delay, i just got off the phone with my tech advisor at Empire Nissan in Ontario CA. He updated me on the rattle noise, and his tech thinks that it could be the oil filter runoff guard. If you dont know what this, well it explains itself. When you take off the oil filter oil drips everywhere, this guards all the parts of the car so the oil can runoff into the oil bucket.
His tech tightened all the bolts that could possibly be loose, but i still have the rattle. Im going back wednesday afternoon to get this checked out and possibly replaced. He said they would lift the car up for me and let me see what the **** they are going to replace exactly cuz i havent seen it myself. Ill post pictures if i can remember to take them :-D

 

Just took mine in last friday, dropped it off at 8:30am, told the service guy that I hear a grinding metal noise, and that u can hear it alot with the windows down upon acceleration. Picked it up at Nissan at 5:00pm, Drove it off the lot, and the problem's still there. They diagnosed the problem as "Loose Heat Shield" lol, which I really really doubt, The noise is the same as when I brought it in there the first place. I called them again today and its scheduled for Friday, so I'll let ya'll know what happens. Its been a year and some change with this car, I love it to death, but with the amount of problems I been having with this car, Im seriously considering either the G35 Coupe, or waiting for the Nissan Skyline GTR to drop in 07. I went from Ford to Nissan because I thought they handled their customers better, made better cars, all that ish. But the way things are going.. seems like I just changed car companys but kept the same problems...

 

If you think you might have the problem discussed on this thread, I suggest you go to the "6th gen TSB's, look inside!" sticky, and pull up:

Service Bulletin Num : 05021
Date of Bulletin: MAR 14, 2005

Component: ENGINE
Summary: 2004-2005 MAXIMA AND QUEST; EXHAUST RATTLE / BUZZING
NOISE PRESENT DURING ACCELERATION

 

I have already went to the dealer and got that bracket replaced. That did not fix my rattle/buzz. Like i was saying i am going back on wednesday and i will update what else is rattling.

 

Sure enough, my 04 SE (Build date: June 03) has this problem. I tried to weld the bracket back together, but two weeks later it had broken again. The bracket listed on the TSB is the same as that on the car, not a 'beefed up' design I anticipated. I am going to try to repair and reinforce the bracket so it will hopefully hold up. I love my Max, but so many nagging problems, especially noises, spoil a great car

 

Sorry for the delay, i wasnt able to take the max to the dealer last wednesday. But for sure im taking it today. It will be done ASAP tonight and its gettin buffed and detailed also. The work that will done for the rattling noise is for the oil runoff plate that hangs right below the oil filter. I wont be able to provide pictures becuase my tech advisor will not be there when i drop it off. Ill update this tomorrow morning for all of you that are encountering this problem.

 

Brought mine in today and just got a phone call. They said it was the heat shield, and they took it off.. Was also told that this was not under warranty. They said that was only covered for 12,000 miles. Now I can't wait to go there and fume..

 

BS. 3 yr 36K bumper to bumper means just that!
OK...so to prove my point further that it still is on warranty for 24 months!!!
And here is what is covered...the heat shield is part of the emissions system! and BTW it is not the heat shield that is the problem look in the stickies!

 

Grrrr.

Just got back and the services manager has gone home for the day. Figures.
They removed the heat/exaust shields. Total charge $37.50. I am calling Niassan care in a few mins. Need to hear what they say.

I did bring a printout of both service Bulletins. I know they looked at them
because I left them on the passenger seat, and now they are gone.

I am at 35k for miles. Also the noise is gone now.

At least the struts are covered.

arghhhh

 

Well,
I gues Nissan had the right to charge you. You are past the 24K mark on the odo. It's always worth calling the 1800 line to see if you can get something done about the charge.

Let me ask you this...where is your heat shield now? Did the replace it with a new one or is it gone altogether? If they removed it completely WTF for? Doesn't that violate some sort of warranty/rule/ethics? any way... Call and complain.

 

Ok i got my car back from the dealer. I had them clay bar the car, detail, wax and polish 2x. :-D. I also got an oil change, and tank fill all the way to full :-D. Im currently at 3374 miles.

Now about the rattle/buzz noise, its not a rattle, and its not a buzz. its a "HUM" The master tech Victor sat in the car with me as i drove the car and i pointed out the noise at startup from park to neutral. The moment he heard the noise, he stated that it was a "function" that function being the "ABS function" Abs starts up and checks to see if everything is working if it doesnt hum then its not working and the ABS light will go on immediately.

I asked him how frequent this is and if it happens to all Maximas, he stated that i got it easy becuase its not as loud. ALL Altimas and Maximas have that function and its more like a grinding noise.

Concluding all this, all max owners no need to worry about this noise, for there is nothing wrong with it. Eventually Nissan will correct this problem in the long run.

 

Just got my oil changed at the dealer and they fixed my exhaust rattle - they modified the heat sheild and the buzz is gone! They also ordered me a new centre console cover and a skyview panel for the recall. They seem to be on the ball at my dealer!!

Warren

 

Excellent news to report from me and my dealer....for once!!

I took it in and gave them the TSB for the catalyst bracket, they fixed it, no more noise!! The org came thru!!

I fully expected at LEAST 3-4 trips for them to replicate it, but I also told them to NOT give it back to me until they did. That and the TSB probably did the trick

 

It's great to hear that you had such a positive and prompt resolution. I agree that the information and views shared here truly do make for a more positive and satisfying Maxima ownership experience. Thanks to all in the Maxima.org community!

 

Ok..I've got a modded exhaust system..and I've got the rattle/buzz...but I think it's coming from the rear rather...and it's only on acceleration when the exhaust is 'cold' (just turned on car and start accelerating).

After a few minutes of driving the buzz is gone...so I think it has something to do with the pipes heating up, expanding perhaps etc...correct me if I'm wrong?

Sparq.

 

My 05 SL is now exhibiting that buzzing sound but it only happens when I'm over 65mph (crusing on the highway at any speed above 65mph; and its a constant buzz). I don't hear it during acceleration or when I'm at speed below 65mph. You guys think its the bracket causing this problem?
I can drown out the noise when the stereo is on but its a little annoying when I have the stereo off. I'm gonna check it out when I do the next oil change.

 

If the buzz is coming from the front, I would speculate that it is indeed the catalytic mounting bracket. If the bolts are a loose in a peculiar manner or the bracket is loose or cracked in a unique way, it may have a different resonance frequency than most of the other vehicles.

 

Yeah, that buzzing sound is coming from the front section of the car. Is Nissan just gonna replace the bracket with the exact same one? If so, its gonna be a constant occurring problem. I have only 4500mi on the car.

I wonder if there's some way of reinforcing that bracket...

 

Mine was replaced (with a different bracket, I assume). It's my understanding that there was also an issue with a bolt missing from the bracket (!?). It wouldn't make good business sense to address the problem by putting in a bracket with the same issue (potential or actual), so I doubt they would do that. I am now buzz free!

 

I had rattle during taking off, my local shop found exhaust heat shiend was way loooooose. He used standard clip on them and rattle gone forever.

 

i only notice mine under light load acelleration in 1st gear. it i hammer on it i dont hear it. just light load. i have a greddy sp2 on it and it did it with stock and aftermarket exhaust. its annoying. Mine is getting fixed soon. I am too lazy to do it myself... oh mine does it when its warm or cold.... its annoying and sounds like crap everytime i come to a near complete stop or full stop then take off again.

 

I have had this racket for a while. I always wondered if it was the exhaust. I'm going to get under and check it out. Thanks for the info.

 

can we get a pic of it so we know what we're looking for?

 

^^^

 

Wow this is an old thread, but this is what you are looking for:

I originally had my weld back together, it broke again. Dealership has the new and improved part you need. If they want to much to put it on, I'd probably just buy the part and take it to a small exhaust shop to have it installed.

 

Thanks for the pic; where is it physically located on the car?

 

If the car is off the ground, preferably on lift, look underneath, between the tires under the engine. Kind of in the middle. I wish I had a pic for that. If I can get a pic I'll post it up.