daltongc

Hey all, my Maxima has recently developed an annoying rattle from the driver's front wheel. It's a little muted and only acts up when I hit tar strips or rough road surfaces. It sounds like a worn out strut to me, but there is no bounce at all in the front end. I've examined the strut two days ago when I was changing wheels and saw nothing irregular. No oil leaking out of the top etc. While I had the car jacked up and the left front wheel off, I tapped around with a hammer to see if I could pinpoint it, but had no luck. I suspect this was because the spring had everything tight. What do you all think, does this sound like worn out struts, or could it be a bushing/bearing situation?

I've found the strut replacement directions in the FAQs, but how hard would bushings be to change?

Thanks

propz'

struts are easy to replace, tho if you're comming from nothing ie tools- then best bet is to have someone else do it. When i did mine back in 03 i had air tools took maybee 30 mins a side ...the strut mounts take more time in the back for the seat removal etc... bought a cheap spring compresser basicly 2 forked clamps that u compress the spring with little buy little... made my car feel like new but i think the kybs are close to shot now..

markmaxima

are you sure it is not your axle.

daltongc

I've got lots of tools and am very mechanical, so I'm not afraid of it. I've also got the spring compressor tool from AutoZone. Just not sure it's the strut. CV boots looked fine the other day, not hearing the pop normally associated with one of them going bad.

markmaxima

i could be a bad strut mount or worn boot.

daltongc

I found the problem. Maybe this will help someone else later on. I thought the noise sounded like a worn out strut. I had a new strut and the tool and went to change it. I started by opening the hood and removing the cap over the main strut bolt and nut in the center. I wanted to make sure that was broken loose before I jacked up the car and let the spring stretch it out. When I put my socket on it to loosen it, it was already loose! I tightened it back up to firm and took the car for a drive. The noise was gone. Saved me lots of time and money by not having to replace anything.