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
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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
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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
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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
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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