Ever since I installed my Koni front struts, I get a light thumping in the strut mounts as I go over small road imperfections when going 10-40mph. I can't hear it when I'm on the highway or when I go over big bumps. I can also hear a little clunk in the strut housings when I push done on the front of the car. I've read that the strut mounting bearing could be bad.

What's your opinion?


Dave

 

I've got the same problem. It has to do with the bolts that hold down the Koni shocks becoming loose over the months. When they loosen the shock just moves around inside the strut and makes that clunking sound. I notice it when I'm doing left hand turns through a bumpy intersection or going over bumps in a straight line.

I'm having my shocks retightened this morning and asking the shop if they use locktite on the threads. I also have to find out what size bolt they used so I can buy a wrench for that specific size when I have to retighten it the next time it occurs.

 

When you are driving, does it seem to not steer straight or do you have to correct your steering alot? That could be a sign of bad strut bearings. Have someone look in your wheel well and while turning your steering wheel, lokk to see if the strut seems to "wander or move around" . It will move but it won,t look right. Also while doing this, look at the top of the strut (under the hood) to see if it wanders around. That,s another good sign.

 

Is the sound you are hearing clunking, squeaking, or clacking? I have a squeaking/clacking noise when I hit bumps on right turns. It's not CV Joint noise (I know how that sounds like), but rather it happens whenever the suspension hits a bump. I have H&R/Tokico combo, and this squeaking has been driving me nuts. I've had it looked at by three shops already, including a frame shop, and each one says they find nothing wrong with the car (they do hear the noise though). I plan to have my usual mechanic remove and install the suspension components again to see if retightening gets rid of the noise. As a last resort, I may take my vehicle to the dealer, but all they are going to say is "the suspension noise is caused by your mods." Well duh...I knew that already!

If you find a solution to your suspension noise, let me know what it is. You can email me at ehylee@ucdavis.edu.

 

Well I'm back from the speed shop where they installed my Konis. They couldn't find anything wrong with the struts. All the bolts and nuts were tight and so they took a rubber mallet and tapped around looking for the rattle I heard on the front right. What they did tell me was that my Courtesy FSTB's nut was a bit loose and could be the cause of the rattle. Hopefully this solves the problem.

 

I really think it's the strut mounting bearings. The bearings sit on top of the spring cap and below the strut mount. They look like 2.0" plastic washers. I called my Nissan dealer and the bearings are $22 each!?!? He knew exactly what I was talking about.

dch95, pretty much summed up my problem in his post above. My struts do wander a bit when turning in a stationary position. I can also hear the noise quite easily when I push down on the front of my car. It's just a light thump on every push. My steering feels okay and doesn't really wander, but I'd bet it will get worse.


Dave

 

My own Maxima is factory stock and I don't know much about modifications such as your Konis. I'm responding to your posting because you called out my name.

There is a possibility that the sound occurs over all bumps but the big bumps generate enough other sensations to eclipse the "light thumping". The strut mountings are a likely cause. Identifying the source of such sounds is difficult because vehicle sounds may "telegraph" through the structure and seem to come from points some distance away from the true origin.

Before spending lots of time and money, make a further attempt to locate the source of the thumping. You might get the car onto an alignment rack. This will enable you to get under the car to watch and listen while an assistant jounces the front bumper up and down. You may find it helpful to use a listening device such as a mechanic's stethoscope or a length of small-diameter rubber vacuum hose.

Bad strut mounting bearings will sometimes make a groaning or grunting sound when the steering wheel is turned from lock to lock at low speeds or even zero mph. That's another thing to try.

 

I get a clunk at full lock when I turn my wheels. The sound is clearly coming from the upper portion of the strut when I have a person push on the front and listen and feel from the wheel well and at the top of the strut. I think my bearings are toast. I guess I should have replaced them when I did the Koni install. I can't believe such a simple piece can go bad. I don't even know what a good one would look like. All I can think is that I drove on my blown struts for too long and the damage was done.


Dave

 

If I remember right, the bolt is 19mm and it should be torqued to 63 ft/lbs. . . I just did mine recently and had to assemble them so a shop would install my last one.

 

Thanks for the confirmation, Adidas_Boy! The mechanic did tell me that he thought he used 19mm bolts on the strut bottoms.

 

I have the exact same problem. At first thought CV joint, then the stut bearings. You have just confirmed the latter. Just wish I didn't have to go through the hassle of taking the front struts apart. Anyone know how long I can live with this without any damage because my stering seems fine.

 

I bought new strut bearings today and I will install them on Saturday possibly Firday. I will post back when I get them in. It should take about 1.5 hours to do both. As I'm looking at the new bearings, they are a bit thicker than the one I pulled out and inspected last weekend. The bearings currently in there are a bit chewed up.


Dave

 

One of my strut bearings (front passenger side) is also going bad. Do you guys know if I can replace just the bad one, or should they be replaced in pairs just like struts?

 

I just took a look at the shop manual pages of the front struts in the MaxFAQs site to see where the strut mounting bearing was located. You mean that little ring is the problem and do you have to unassemble the whole suspension just to replace that thing? Seeing as how close it is to the top could you not replace it from the top?

 

Unfortunately you will have take apart the entire strut assembly to get the bearing out. Yes, it is a circular ring. I think it is a good idea to change out the bearings everytime you change to new struts. I wish I did it in the first place. Who knew something so small and simple can cause so many annoying problems.


Dave

 

Well guys, I'm a defeated man. I replaced my strut bearings and there is still a little clunckiing going on. It's not as bad, but it is still there. Now I'm left to wonder if the strut insulators have gone bad. My alginment is off a little too

For those that are having problems, did your problems occur shortly after installing new springs and/or struts? I wonder if this has anything to do with the difference in ride height, strut valving, and spring rate.

I will succeed.


Dave

 

You know that the original struts were liquid filled? I'm betting now that because I installed Konis in the original strut housings that the shock itself is bumping against the side of the strut. The other day when I took off the front right wheel I wanted to check to see if the strut was loose. I pounded my fist against the strut housing and heard the shock bounce off the side. Every time I come to a particular intersection when I drive my wife to work and make a gentle left turn I hear noises from the right front strut so I think thats what it is.

 

I bet you're right. That makes good sense. I didn't test the strut when I had it out last night. If I wrap my figures around the adjusting **** of the Koni's and I press down on the front of the car, I can feel the strut move fractionally. I'll see what I can come up with.


Dave

 

I am not sure. I have Tokico/H&R and have exactly what you have...I will try the new bearings and see what I get.

 

eve since I installed my Eibach and tokico. I replaced the bearing the clunking didn't stop, I even bought a brand new tokico strut that still didn't solve the problem. The only conclusion I came up with is the strut insulater or padding. Now where the hell do I buy new padding or strut insulators?
This is not good I just bought Konis hoping that when I install them the problem would magicly dissapear, I guess not!!!!

 

if u can't find any at auto zone or hi/lo etc. then ur best bet would be nissan dealers themselves. while we're on the subject my front right is acting up too. i could see it and hear it. when i open the hood the strut rod is sticking out and leaning towards the engine. is this caused by the bearing or the insulators????