Wierd Noises - Brakes - Suspension

My 2002 Xterra 4x4 has 15,800 miles. Since delivery the suspension makes strange noises on rough roads. It usually occurs when the brake pedal is slightly depressed on a rough road. There are strange metallic rattling noises coming from the suspension. It sounds like a 1970's Oldsmobile with a really loose suspension. Also, there are metallic scraping noises when I turn the wheel in either direction---similar to audible brake wear indicators, but the brakes are fine. These are intermittant problems, but occur often.

Second problem is the cruise control. It surges slightly and the transmission gets stuck in gear when it downshifts on a hill to maintain speed.

The dealer says they cannot reproduce---nothing wrong---everything is mechanically fine---and I have taken it in three times. Tomorrow will be number 4.

Has anyone ever had similar problems, solutions, etc. Thanks very much. fiberlaw.

Not sure about the noises, but the cruise control behavior isn't too unusual. The cruise control is pretty simple-minded and doesn't cooperate with the transmission very well. When it "downshifts" to climb a grade, odds are it's still in 4th gear but the torque converter just unlocked. It doesn't like to settle back into lockup until the load on the engine is all but gone for a moment, hence the delay. Turn the Overdrive (4th gear) off when the converter unlocks and it will actually shift down to third and the TC will lock up again. It will pull better, and it will be much kinder to your tranny temp-wise. Once you crest the grade, turn Overdrive back on and it will settle back into 4-locked again.

Brent

Yeah, the noises are confusing me as well. Only one I could think of was the turning noise might be the steering stops are worn (plastic cap is gone) or ungreased.

That would only be at full lock, which I didn't read into his post...

Might be a long shot but have you checked the backing plate on the rotor? Could be bent or loose causing the intermittant scraping sound.

My X just started this noise too. Mine is kind of a metallic resonating rattle, most obvious at 2100 RPM. When I'm pulling my boat, it last longer due to the slower RPM windup. I am going to investigate it this weekend, I will post if I find anything. It sounds like a heat shield, or something.

These are the same noises I am having on my 2002 X with 12,800 miles on it. I thought it was the brakes but the dealer has said (3 times) the brakes are fine. They cannot "reproduce" the problem. The noise is very loud and occurs both when braking and accellorating going anywhere between 5 and 50 miles per hour.. I've had it with the dealer and will probably be calling Nissan..

On my 2000 X, there was rattle that was traced to the gas tank skid plate hitting the exhaust? Putting a shim in between stopped the noise.

Toy Man

How is that possible? The gas tank skid is nowhere near any part of the exhaust. It runs down the opposite side of the vehicle.