Front Differential Failure

[QX56]

I have been dealing with knocking coming from the front suspension every time I hit the smallest of unevenness in the road. It seem to be sway bar related so I replaced the sway bar links. NG

I was at my brother-in-laws tire shop for routine maintenance and mentioned the knocking to him. He grabbed the driver side axle near the front differential and gave it a good shake up and down. "Does it sound like this?"

I asked him why he made a bee line to the front shaft and he explained that he had the front diff. replaced in his Titan for the same reason.

I contacted Infiniti and dropped the truck off on Wed. The service rep. called and confirmed the bad bearing in the front diff. He also said they had the part in stock and it would be replaced on Thursday, which it was.

The part was repaired no charge under the 72k drive train warr. thank God! I'm pushing 58k on this 2007 right now.

 

[bud4ya]

Thanks for sharing I have a 2007 now and I have just under 45k and just made a post on should I purchase and extended warranty for mine. Any other issues with yours besides this?

Just debating if I will exceed $2,200 in repairs over the next 3/36k miles. Guess it is gamble

 

[QX56]

Bud - I really have had few problems with this 2007. I owned a 2004 before this and Infiniti replaced it under the lemon law. That said I'm very happy the 2007 has a 72k drive train warranty and the differential was replace no charge.

I had the power brake vacuum booster go bad on me in the spring time but replaced it myself as it was out of warranty. I also have a knock in the steering that lead me to the differential problem but still exists after the diff. replacement.

I'm hopeful this knock is just faulty rack and pinion mounts as I have read in other threads.

I think the extended warranty is a must for anyone who is not comfortable with a wrench. I am lucky enough to have a brother-in-law who manages a automotive repair shop. I personally would purchase the Infiniti extended warranty if I was in the market. As someone once said to me "You don't bring a steak to you favorite restaurant and ask them to cook it."

 

[bud4ya]

I appreciate the feed back. My buddy was a mech who can help with repairs. Just hard to pin him down on time sometimes.