rear end thumping noise

2003 INFINITI G35
117,000 MILES • 3.5L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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SHONWELTY
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Rear end thumping noise at all speeds just started two weeks ago.
Dec 26, 2019 at 10:10 AM
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KASEKENNY
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
This could be a number of things. Does the noise get faster as the speed increases or does it stay consistent? If it increases, it could be a bearing in the rear end, the driveshaft, or a tire.

Is it possible to get a recording of the noise?
Dec 26, 2019 at 10:47 AM
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SHONWELTY
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It sounds like to me it gets quieter the faster it goes at low speeds it's seems to be louder.
Dec 26, 2019 at 11:55 AM
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SHONWELTY
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It makes the same sound as if it has a flat tire.
Dec 26, 2019 at 11:57 AM
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KASEKENNY
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Have you checked the air pressure in the tires and for a flat spot? Has this vehicle been sitting for a while? A thumping noise that gets quieter when getting faster is normally a flat spotted tire. Is there a vibration as well?
Dec 27, 2019 at 5:51 PM
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SHONWELTY
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Yes, no flat spots on tire and no vibration. checked wheel bearings.
Dec 27, 2019 at 6:02 PM
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KASEKENNY
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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Is it possible to get a recording of this noise? I think hearing it will help identify it.
Dec 28, 2019 at 7:32 PM
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SHONWELTY
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My bad it does get louder the faster you go feel like drive shaft?
Dec 28, 2019 at 8:43 PM
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KASEKENNY
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Okay. If it gets faster then clearly it is something spinning that is effected by vehicle speed and not RPM. This means drive shaft, rear end bearings, or a tire.

I would start with inspecting the u joints as that is the most likely on a RWD vehicle like yours. Here is a guide that will help with that:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-u-joints-work

If these check out then the I would move the tires but it sounds like you eliminated a lot of this so a drive shaft is likely.
Dec 29, 2019 at 6:57 PM
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