Hi everyone,
I've had for a long time, and still have, a funny noise in my Endee. I've read a few things on here about a propeller shaft, a service bulletin, a propeller shaft bearing...I don't really know what a propeller shaft is. Is that the same as a drive shaft? I think that may be where my noise is coming from.
It sounds most like a bearing noise to me. A little like a baseball card in the spokes of your bicycle. It happens when I step on the accelerator. The more revs, the louder the noise. It is coming from under the car, i think kind of under the seats/gear shift. I can sort of hear it with the windows closed but with them open, and when I drive next to something, so that sound can reflect, its really loud. When I coast, the noise stops. its very consistent. I've had it for well over a year, so I'm not sure if its anything major. But its awfully loud, and it does seem to be getting worse.

Any ideas? Is it related to the propeller shaft thing?

To get it fixed....is it a dealer thing? Or could anyone do it. Mine is a 2004 with 60k. I bought it from a non-Mitsu dealer the end of 2006. How does the service bulletin stuff work? Can I go into any Mitsu dealer and they have records of whats been done? Will they fix it for free if its a service bulletin thing? I have no idea what warranty was left when I got it. Who could I contact to find those things out?

Recalls and warranty bulletin if yu have receiuve one for anything take yur car to the Mitsubishi dealer and they will perform the recall or bulletin at a warranty cost and yu will have not to pay anything. make sure yu call about it first and ask when they can take it, if yu drop it off they may not take it for weeks , the recall part needs to be in first for them to perform it , so call and they may ask yur vin etc and then order parts for the service bulletin / recall and when they are in they will c all yu to bring yur vehicle in for the service. Propeller Shaft is the correct term we use for driveshafts. There is a center hanger bearing assembly , the propeller shaft is divided into 2 sections . The first section leaving the transmission to the center of the vehicle , in the center of teh vehicle is the center hanger bearing at this point the rear propeller shaft connects to the front one thru the bearing assy. and goes to the rear differential . Under general acceleration the AWD system is supplying almost equal TQ distribution to teh rear wheels as with the front , and if the center bearing itself or the housing of the bearing is worn this could be why yu hear the noise under engine load/acceleration . Also could be a small possibility teh inspection shield/gaurd near it is rubbing against it.

if it changes with engine revs (which would also happen in neutral or park) its NOT the propshaft.

if thats the case, its either a rattling heat shield, or more commonly what has probably happened is that someone bent the oil filter shield into the drive belt.

I don't really understand what you said, but I did try that today. It changes a little bit with revs, going very slowly its not too loud, but as I start to speed up it gets louder, but I wouldn't say it is proportional to the revs, it only gets so loud, although it is quite loud. I also tested it in neutral, i don't hear it at all in neutral. What does that mean?

Also, i thought about it more how to describe the sound. It really doesn't sound like a heat shield. If it is something rotating, its rotating very very fast. Its more like a grinding than a "card in the spokes" kind of thing. There is no noticeable frequency to it, except when going very slowly.

If you do think its the propeller shaft...do you recommend I go to a dealer or just any shop? How big a job is it, can anyone diagnose it and fix it?

Well the propeller shaft is in the sheilded area above the exhaust piping , if yur into getting yur hands dirty then id say its yur job.

Well, I found out what was causing the majority of the noise. The clam-shell heat shield over the converter was all rusted at the edges. Some of the rusted areas must have been dragging. The guys at the shop took it off and it sounds much better. They claim its no big deal to take it off. How do you guys feel about that? Is it required?

They also recommended some other services since I just hit 60k miles.

They said the rotors are showing rust at the edges on the inside. They showed it to me, but it seems to be just the areas where the pad doesn't touch. I think they're ok.

They also recommended new plugs, a coolant flush and fill, 2 new serpentine belts, cause they were glazed, a fuel system cleaner, and a tranny flush and fill.

I don't think the plugs are needed, I haven't been feeling anything, what do you guys think?

I also think the fuel system and coolant system clean is bull.

I do plan to get the transmission flush and fill. I think 60k is a good time. Also I plan to get the new serpentine belts. Lately when I am driving with the AC on, when the compressor kicks on it squeals for a second and I think it is the belt slipping under the added load.

Any thoughts?

Also, anyone know where the best place is to get original Mitsu touch-up paint? I need Mineral Beige Pearl, aka Gray.

Yu live in an area where there is snow? LoL as posted in my post i had sorta suspected a possibility of the inspection /heat sheild around the area with the exhaust and drive shaft routing. The brake area is bull. Yu are correct , they will look like that normally especially in yur general area. Like when i drive my car and then it stays in my mums driveway when i visit relatives in USA and i come back , my rotors are rusted also in the areas the pads do not touch , the inside looks that way also. It will look that way especially if yu live in areas that are prone to any kind of snow.

The transmisiion flush isnt bad , normally about 70,000-80-000 miles , but its a good thing. ALso yeah belts should be changed when have that glaze , shiny reddish look.

The fuel system cleaner is okies , yu can put that yurself , a good kind , not anythin cheap since these systems now do not have a serviceble fuel filter like the older models.

The engine coolant is a tricky one , normally i perform this when i do a timing service Mitsubishi vehicles