Exhaust rattle / buzzing noise during acceleration - JustAnswer

Classification: Reference: Date:
EM05-003d NTB05-021d July 23, 2007
EXHAUST RATTLE / BUZZING NOISE DURING ACCELERATION
This bulletin has been amended. The Applied Vehicles, Applied VINs, and Applied Dates
have been updated. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
APPLIED VEHICLES: 2004 – 2006 Maxima (A34)
2004 – 2007 Quest (V42)
2003 – 2006 Murano (Z50)
APPLIED VINS: 2004 – 2006 Maxima, all VINs
2004 – 2006 Quest, all VINs
2007 Quest built before: 5N1BV(*)8U(*)7N136219
2003 – 2005 Murano, all VINs
2006 Murano built before: JN8AZ08T(*)6W 402002 (2WD)
or JN8AZ08W(*)6W 505916 (AWD)
APPLIED DATES: 2004 – 2006 Maxima, all dates
2004 – 2006 Quest, all dates
2007 Quest built before: March 26, 2007
2003 – 2005 Murano, all dates
2006 Murano built before: October 20, 2005
IF YOU CONFIRM
There is an exhaust rattle/buzzing noise that sounds like it is coming from the front exhaust
tube.
ACTIONS
1. Inspect both of the catalyst front tube support brackets for breaks, cracks, or missing
bolts.
2. If you have determined that the support brackets need to be replaced:
• Replace both support brackets and bolts with the new parts listed in the PARTS
INFORMATION section of this bulletin. It is not necessary to replace the front
tube assembly.
NOTE: For vehicles equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission, you will also
install the exhaust tube mounting brackets listed in the PARTS INFORMATION section
of this bulletin.
IMPORTANT: The purpose of “ACTIONS” (above) is to give you a quick idea of the work you will
be performing. You MUST closely follow the entire Service Procedure (starting on page 3) as it
contains information that is essential to successfully completing the repair.
Nissan Bulletins are intended for use by qualified technicians, not 'do-it-yourselfers'. Qualified technicians are
properly trained individuals who have the equipment, tools, safety instruction, and know-how to do a job properly
and safely. NOTE: If you believe that a described condition may apply to a particular vehicle, DO NOT assume
that it does. See your Nissan dealer to determine if this applies to your vehicle.
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PARTS INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
Gusset/Bracket - Rear
Gusset/Bracket - Front
Bracket, Upper - Exhaust Maxima - 5AT
Tube Mounting Quest - 5AT
Bracket, Lower - Exhaust Maxima - 5AT
Tube Mounting Quest - 5AT
Nut - Flange
MODEL/
TRANSMISSION PART # QUANTITY
Maxima
Quest
20817-7Y010
1
Murano 20817-CA010
4AT / 6MT / CVT 20817-CA110
5AT 20817-7Y110
Maxima - 5AT
Quest - 5AT
20711-ZK30A 1
20711-CA020 1
08918-3401A 2
Bolt - Hex All 14069-CA010 4
CLAIMS INFORMATION
Submit a Primary Part (PP) type line claim using the following claims coding:
DESCRIPTION PFP OP CODE SYM DIA FRT
RPL Front and/or Rear Exhaust
Tube Bracket/Gusset
(1) FX21AA ZL 01 0.5hrs
(1) Reference the Parts Information Table and use the applicable Gusset P/N as the PFP.
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1

SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Inspect both support brackets on the catalyst front tube (see Figure 1).
• Brackets are located between the exhaust flange of Bank 1 catalyst and the
transmission housing.
• Check for breaks or cracks, and loose or missing bolts.
• See examples of breaks and cracks on the next page.
Catalyst/front tube support
bracket - Towards rear of
engine
Figure 1
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Catalyst/front tube support
bracket - Towards front of
engine

NOTE:
• Breaks or cracks may be found anywhere on the bracket body or at the mounting
bolt holes.
• Cracks appear in a “hair line” form.
Example of break and crack on rear bracket.
Break
Crack
Figure 2
Example of break on front bracket.
Figure 3
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Break

2. If either of the support brackets are broken/cracked, or have loose or missing bolts,
replace both brackets and all their bolts as follows:
• Support brackets and bolts are listed in the PARTS INFORMATION section of
this bulletin.
a. Remove the original bolts and brackets and discard.
b. If the vehicle is equipped with a
5-speed automatic transmission,
install the exhaust tube mounting
brackets (upper and lower) and
flange nuts listed in the PARTS
INFORMATION section of this
bulletin. See Figures 4, 5, and 6.
• Torque each nut to 30.4 - 39.2
N·m (3.1 – 4.0 kg-m, 22.4 –
28.9 ft-lb)
Figure 5
Install upper
bracket around
exhaust tube.
Exhaust tube
mounting
bracket - Lower
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Figure 4
Exhaust tube
mounting
bracket - Upper
Flange nuts
Figure 5 Attach lower
Figure 6 bracket to upper
bracket using
two flange nuts.

c. Loosely install the new support brackets and bolts.
d. Position all brackets so that each bolt is centered in the bolt holes.
e. Hand tighten each bolt to hold it in the centered position.
f. Torque each bolt to 19.0 - 25.0 N·m (1.93 – 2.43 kg-m, 14 - 18.4 ft-lb), starting with
the transmission side bolt.
3. Make sure the rattle/buzzing noise is gone.
• Conduct a short test drive involving several low speed part throttle accelerations.
• It is best to listen for unusual exhaust noise while driving with windows down and
driving next to an object such as a wall, hedge, or parked cars. Any unusual
noises, if they exist, will reflect back to your car and are more noticeable.
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