Mine had squeaked for quite a few years now. I'm concerned but it's performed fine. It's probably my fav lens, I hope you enjoy yours.

my 17-35 started sqeak after i sent it to get serviced it and also wouldn't focus well when zoomed out to 17mm and getting strangely unsharp images on and off. since it was not an 'authorised' service center i didn't get any compensation.i i'm thinking about go to Nikon service center for 'repair' soon.

Thanks for the feedback. It's reassuring (not 100% but fairly) to know that I'm not the only one who has this issue.
I got it for a pretty decent price so I think I'll just have to accept the squeak and hope I don't need to take it to the doctor anytime soon.
I agree, it is rather a whine than a squeak but since I don't have a dog I guess I'm not risking anything.
Beautiful lens btw!

I bought a used one about 6 months ago and have the exact same issue. In my case it's not so much a squeak as it is a high-pitched whine, almost like a high-speed drill. The dealer demonstrated it for me and told me not to worry about it as it was endemic to the lens (he joked that I probably shouldn't use it to take pictures of dogs). In fact, there were two used copies in stock and both did the same thing. I've never had a single problem with this lens, even when shooting my dog.

Well I have this very same lens and from time to time mine will squeak as well. I am still under the 5 year warranty so at this point I am not too worried about it. I have never dropped my lens.

From my understanding this is one of the first AF-S lenses to be produced and I have heard a couple of different opinions.

First reaction: OMG the AF-S motor is dieing you need to get that fixed
Second reaction: Thats normal for that lens, the "grease" used for the motor has been perfected since then so it won't squeak (if this is the case I figured I would have the new style grease but maybe they never changed the production line).

When it gets closer to my 5 year warranty being up I will think about it a litte harder (in the next 7 months).

I totally understand your feelings about if its a problem or not.

Mine has squeaked for a little over a year and I have not missed a shot from it.

it may have been dropped,

check nikon for possible repair cost and see if it worth your while when you add in the buying cost.

if not , send it back.

Hi all
I just purchased a used 17-35 f2.8. I was told condition like new but it turns out that occasionally it squeaks a little when focusing, esp. on closer objects. Does anybody know how bad a sign that is? Is it the motor? can it be fixed easily?
Would appreciate any feedback before I go back to seller.
Cheers
Phos