Front Noise When Starting Off
The owner of a 2013 Nissan Leaf reports a noise that occurs in the front of the vehicle when starting off or shifting into reverse gear. A road test confirmed the noise, but the technician in the workshop could not reproduce it or determine its cause.
1. This is a known fault in Leaf models manufactured until 2014-09-30. The problem is most likely caused by movement between the drive shaft and the front wheel bearing.
2. Remove the drive shaft from the front carrier and mark the position or alignment of the front wheel bearing housing and the carrier.
Then remove the bearing housing and clean all contact surfaces. Apply manufacturer-specified grease to the contact surfaces of the drive shaft and bearing (Figure 2.1).
Then install the bearing housing rotated 180° from its original position and tighten the bolts to the correct torque of 80-95 Nm. Install the drive shaft, securing it with a new nut and a torque of 100-120 Nm.
Repeat the procedure on the other side.
