Rear Area, Lower
NTB99-056D/BT99-038D: REPAIR OF SQUEAKS AND RATTLES IN THE REAR AREA, LOWER FOR 2000 MAXIMAThe rear area, lower includes: Door panels, glass and door mounted controls, front and rear seat assemblies, center console, carpeted areas, parcel shelf and interior mounted stop lamp.
NOTE: Read through all of the incidents listed in this section that apply to the incident area in the vehicle. Some repairs may need to be done in combination with others.
WARNING: If a part of the SRS (air bag) needs to be serviced, always turn the ignition switch off, disconnect both battery cables and wait at least three (3) minutes before performing the service.
INCIDENT 1: CREAK NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR SEAT BACK
Verify:
This noise may occur when making left or right turns over 15 MPH.
Isolate:
This noise may be caused by contact between the lower rear seat back bracket and the vehicle body mount. The noise can be eliminated by pushing on the bottom of the seat back while the incident occurs.
Repair:
1. Remove the rear lower seat cushion and the rear seat back.
Figure 1:
2. Install a spacer (8.9 mm thick, 15.5 mm inside diameter & 20.0 mm outside diameter) between the lower rear seat back bracket and the vehicle body mount (see Figure 1). Tighten the bracket bolts to 13 - 16 N-m (1.3 - 1.6 kg-m, 9 - 12 ft-lb).
Recheck:
Test the vehicle as described above to confirm the repair is complete.
INCIDENT 2: RATTLE NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PARCEL SHELF
Verify:
This noise may occur when driving on rough roads over speeds of 15 MPH.
Isolate:
This noise may be caused by contact between the rear center seat belt retractor housing and the retractor mounting bracket. The noise can be eliminated by pushing on the retractor housing while the incident occurs.
Repair:
1. Remove the rear lower seat cushion and the seat back end/side cushions. Refer to page BT-50 of the 2000 Maxima Service Manual.
NOTE: The seat back does not need to be removed - just folded down.
2. Remove the left and right "C" pillar finishers. Refer to page BT-32 of the 2000 Maxima Service Manual.
3. Remove the rear parcel shelf finisher. Refer to page BT-32 of the 2000 Maxima Service Manual.
4. Remove one bolt and one screw and remove the seat belt retractor and housing from the vehicle (see Figure 2).
Figure 2:
5. Install felt tape to the seat belt retractor housing (see Figure 2).
6. Re-install the seat belt retractor and housing. Tighten the retractor anchor bolt to 44 - 54 N�m (4.4 - 5.6 kg-m, 32 - 40 ft-lb).
7. Tighten the retractor mounting screw.
8. Re-install all previously removed components.
Recheck:
Test the vehicle as described above to confirm the repair is complete.
INCIDENT 3: RATTLE NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR TRUNK ROOM AREA
Verify:
This noise may occur when driving on rough roads between speeds of 15 and 20 MPH.
Isolate:
This noise may be caused by contact between the sun roof drain tube and the left rear inner fender panel.
Repair:
1. Remove the left side trunk room finisher.
Figure 3:
2. Install foam pad (P/N 76884-71L01) to the sun roof drain tube where it contacts the inner fender panel (see Figure 3).
3. Re-install the trunk room finisher.
Recheck:
Test the vehicle as described above to confirm the repair is complete.
INCIDENT 4: RATTLE NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE TRUNK ROOM
Verify:
This noise may occur when driving on rough roads over speeds of 15 MPH and/or when closing the rear door(s) with all the windows rolled up.
Isolate:
This noise may be caused by contact between the fuel pump drop resistor shield and the inner fender panel The noise can be temporarily eliminated by touching the resistor shield as the rear door(s) is closed with all the windows rolled up.
Repair:
1. Remove the left side trunk room finisher.
Figure 4:
2. Install foam pad (P/N 76884-71L01) to the inner fender panel to prevent contact with the fuel pump drop resistor shield (see Figure 4).
Recheck:
Test the vehicle as described above to confirm the repair is complete.
INCIDENT 5: RATTLE NOISE COMING FROM THE TRUNK ROOM/PARCEL SHELF AREA
Verify:
This noise may occur when driving on rough roads over speeds of 15 MPH.
Isolate:
This noise may be caused by contact between the trunk spring rods and the support clip. The noise can be eliminated by performing the following repair.
Repair:
1. Push the spring rods forward to remove them from the support clip.
Figure 5:
2. Install felt tape (P/N 68370-4B000) to the support clip (between the spring rods and the support clip) to prevent the rattle noise (see Figure 5).
3. Re-insert the spring rods in the support clip.
Recheck:
Test the vehicle as described above to confirm the repair is complete.
INCIDENT 6: RATTLE NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRUNK ROOM
Verify:
This noise may occur when driving on rough roads over speeds of 15 MPH and/or when closing the rear door(s) with all the windows rolled up.
Isolate:
This noise may be caused by contact between the trunk spring rod and the trunk lid hinge. The noise can be temporarily eliminated by pressing against the spring rods as the rear door(s) is closed with all the windows rolled up.
Figure 6:
Repair:
Install felt tape (P/N 68370-4B000) to the trunk lid hinge (between the hinge and the spring rod) to prevent the rattle noise (see Figure 6).
Recheck:
Test the vehicle as described above to confirm the repair is complete.
INCIDENT 7: RATTLE NOISE COMING FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE LID
Verify:
This noise may occur when driving at a speed of about 40 MPH.
Isolate:
This noise may be caused by contact between the spring and weight within the center console lid retaining clip.
Figure 7:
Repair:
Install felt tape (P/N 68370-4B000) between the clip spring and weight (see Figure 7).
Recheck:
Test the vehicle as described above to confirm the repair is complete.
INCIDENT 8: RATTLE NOISE FROM LEFT OR RIGHT REAR DOOR(S)
Verify:
This noise may occur when the left or right rear door is closed with all the windows rolled up. This noise may disappear or change with the window glass (in the subject door) rolled down about one-half inch when the door is closed.
Isolate:
This noise may be caused by excessive clearance between the window regulator guide and slide plate.
Repair:
1. Remove the door finisher.
Figure 8:
2. Apply grease between the window regulator guide and slide plate (see Figure 8).
3. Re-install the door finisher.
Recheck:
Test the vehicle as described above to confirm the repair is complete.
INCIDENT 9: RATTLE NOISE FROM CENTER CONSOLE BOX (HEATED SEAT-EQUIPPED MODELS ONLY)
Verify:
This noise may occur when the vehicle is driven on pavement or rough roads at speeds of 15 to 25 mph.
Figure 9:
Isolate:
This noise may be caused by intermittent contact between the back surface of the cup holder (see Figure 9) and the connector of the front seat heater switch harness.
It can be eliminated by pushing on the center console, near the cup holder, when the incident occurs.
Repair:
CAUTION: Be careful not to scratch finisher and other parts.
Figure 10:
1. Remove console A/T finisher (see Figure 10).
Figure 11:
2. Remove the five screws securing the console box assembly (see Figure 11).
Figure 12:
3. Pop loose the instrument panel lower center trim tabs (see Figure 12) at the front of the console box assembly. Slide console box assembly backward, lift and remove it.
Figure 13:
4. Apply urethane foam to the front seat heater switch harnesses (see Figure 13).
5. Reassemble the vehicle.
Recheck:
Test the vehicle as described above to confirm the repair is complete.