Hey all - HaPpY VaLeNtInE'S DaY!!!!

1991 Maxima SE V6 3.0L A/T
...I just began noticing a sound (and slight vibration) when I cut my wheel all the way to the left (sometimes when I cut it to the right too) but always when I cut the wheel to the left.
The sound is somewhat of a grinding noise, and I can even slightly feel a vibration through the wheel and the floor (very slightly tho)
About 2 months ago I had my Driver side CV shaft replaced and was told that I need to have the Passenger side replaced as well (but havent done so yet)...I didnt notice this sound/vibration before I had the DS shaft done (I didnt even know I needed that) so now I'm not sure if this is the other CV shaft grinding b/c of all the sand/dirt caught in the rubber boot or if its something worse...like an axle or somethin! I just hope my car doesnt fall of the dam wheels!!!

Any insight, as always, is appreciated! Love ya guys muah!

 

LoL, it can't fall off the wheels but I would change your C/V asap, I change my passenger side awhile back and its reall a pain in the a!!. there are three bolt that are really difficult to get to with a socket but it can be done, I'm having the same problem right now with my driver side and its getting really bad, so im going to change it out Thursday, if anyone have any help pointers i'd like to hear them, From how it looks the driver side should be alot easier than the passenger but i said this before about a thermostat replace ment :-/.



P.S. the only problems that can happen with a bad C/V, is it locking up and breaking then while swinging around it might damage other things

 

Yes, will not drop off. Whatever it is, u can drive until u will not hear anythin but the noise from axles [at home] ...still they will not drop off.

Axle joint makes more like cracking sound (non continuous), first starts when turning full out. Wheel bearings have it continuous; first on curves, leaning, later all the time.

Raise the wheel and try to shake with all u might in all directions. If backlash is felt, its the bearing, otherwise maybe smtg else. Worn joint has backlash while rotating back an forth.

Check out the brake.

 

I have 2 different sounds when I turn, but the one I am worried about is one that is NOT continuous. It's more like a "tock-tock-tock" sound as I am turning with my wheel cut all the way to one side. (Kind of like cracking, thats why I was afraid the wheel might fall off! Even tho I was half-kidding about that)
I can even feel it in the gas pedal (or the floor) Im not sure where I feel it, but I feel a vibration whenever I hear that noise. Anyway, I think im going to replace the CV shaft cause I was already told that it definitely needs to be done. But before I fix it I will have the mechanic take a ride with me so I can show him, or have him hear it -whatever (they always seem to have a hard time finding the issues I report to them). That way I can make sure they think its the shaft and not anything else.

 

That 'sounds' like the axle joint. How much baclash is there? Clapping sound if u push/loosen accelerator? If noticable, the its really worn.

Used to drive years wit low performance (mini that is) car with that noise while turning. Just do not hit gas while the noise is on... mechanics will want them replaced immediately, but do make your own decision.

U never know of tomorrow, maybe there is no more car worries... = new -or- crashed car. Seen both ways. I think 'whatever' u can postpone, all i$ $.

 

Well...how can I not hit the acclerator when that noise is happening...I mean I AM driving I cant just stop in the middle of the road.
As a matter of fact, I notice it happens mainly when I have the wheel cut (like taking a sharp left) AND hitting the gas at the same time. It doesnt really make the noise if I let off the gas and kind of roll while turning...I think somehow it might be related to the pedal....???

 

Could be an axle. Having someone inspect the axles would be the best bet.

 

Dont listen to the Sweedish madman . You dont want a CV joint failing on you while you're driving. A new axle (Which includes both CV joints, there are 2 per axle) is 60-70$ and maybe 2 hours to replace if you havnt done it before.

 

I replaced the CV shaft (axle) on the driver side of my car when I got a tune up done about 2 months ago..(I didnt kno I needed it replaced, cause this sound was NOT happening at the time - the mechanics just took a look around and said I needed BOTH done) so i got the driver side done because they said that was the worse one and not to mention i was already just about $400.00 in the hole cause of the tune-up and radiator flush i was having them do...basically, I didnt want to spend more than i absolutely had to at the time.

Now i actually have a sound...so hopefully that it is just the CV shaft cause id hate to replace that and the sound still be there.....

thanks for all your input guys!

 

one more question...if only one axle (cv shaft) is bad - will you still hear the sound when taking both a right turn and a left turn?

thats probably a dumb question..but i dont know $hit when it comes to cars.

 

yes you will hear the noise, and if your axle snaps, and you are on the highway you will wish you replaced the axle, because if you are hearing noise, that means it is bad

 

Hey, Thanks for the info - i will go get it checked out and replaced hopefully within the next week...Its common sense that it must be bad. Some people tried tellin me that u can drive it like that for awhile, but to me it sounds like if I kept doin that the dam thing would just snap eventually! People these days man...ya never know

But again, thanks for the input, it's greatly appreciated.