I've had this for like two weeks no, i've looked and looked and jacked my car up numerous times and i CANNOT pin where this sound comes from.

I just went to meineke (this meineke has a very good long-lasting staff that can fix almost anything) and they couldn't even identify where this sound was coming from. They said they thought that if this car had speed sensitive steering that one of the components can create the sound like I'm getting. (97's... or no 4th gens for that matter have speed sensitiving steering right?)

It's definitely not suspension, not strut tower bearings, not tie rods...

When you turn the steering wheel you get the noise, once the direction of force changes then it makes it again. So, if it has nothing to do with the suspension then it must be a component of the steering, whether it's speed sensitive or not right?

The sound comes from the *MIDDLE* of the engine, no lie, like... sounds like it's right behind the aft bank of the engine; is there where the steering box or anything of that sort is located? i.e. below the throttle body.

It's a popping noise, quiet enough that you can only hear it at very low speeds or when stopped, it isnt loud enough to be heard of regular road noise, so I couldn't say if it still makes the noise while the car is moving at normal speeds.

 

how many miles u have on it? and did u loss speed?

 

my '97 is only at 64k

it has no apparent adverse effects, just a noise. Can't feel it in the steering wheel, doesn't change the cars performance whatsoever... it's just there

edit:

the mechanics i've spoken to have suggested taking it to a nissan dealership where they can probably identify the problem.

i just contacted two local dealers, one wants $79 just to diagnose, the other wants $85. the latter, if you have it checked and drive away you pay the $85, if you have it repaired on the spot you don't have to pay the diagnosis fee, merely the labor/parts (but you dont know how much that will be because I have no idea what is wrong...)

I'm not cheap, i'd spend the money to fix my car in a heart beat. But i am a "poor college student" and I only have so much available at any given time, so it's kind of hard to take it there and have it looked at and then if I can't afford the fix on the spot im out almost $100 bucks, stealerships suck.

 

Could it be the power steering pump making noise?

 

you are probably low on washer fluid. I had the same problem...

 

huh?

 

sorry its a joke...i have no idea what it can be, i had a werid noise from around my throttle body coming too, but its a totally differnt kind. Its there all the time everytime i press down on the gas paddle.

I have decided to let it keep making it till i get a code or something breaks there is no point in fixing things that dont need to be fixed.

G Luck!

 

I would say to just ignore it, but I know how dang stressing it is to have some noise coming from the front end of your car.

 

My gues is either ball joints, axles or wheel bearings

 

i really dont think so .. it's literally a popping sound, like a tie rod would make that is on its way out

 

Try turning the wheels while the car is turned off (just sitting in your drive way). If you still get the "popping" noise then I would think ball joints and/or tie rods i.e. suspension. If not then steering. And I thought the 4th gens did have speed sensitive steering? I will have to check on that.

 

Yup ball joints would do it.. bad axles too

Check the water splash guards along side the engine, if the screws that hold them in have broken off they might be banging against the tire when you turn it.

 

good idea, i just went and tried it. so i guess i can eliminate suspension, the if i pull real hard with the car of and turn the tires and go back/forth the noise is non existant.

therefore it must be with the steering.. but it's weird, you know like when you turn the wheel you can hear the power steering pump work more, gets a bit louder and such .. that's not the sound im talking about. it's a *POP* sound that only happens when the direction of force changes (change which way you're turning the steering wheel.)

has anyone had to have any steering labor fix/replacement ... and if so, do you have any idea how much this can run?

 

Could it be something do to with the steering lock in the steering column?

 

if you mean the locking mechanism while the car is off .. i don't think so; i just found out first hand that it is working properly when i went outside to test tomj's theory, and without putting on the acc it locked the steering wheel; so as far as i know that is functioning properly.

also, it doesnt restrict the wheel when it happens, you cant feel it at all

 

Ok we need some power steering expertise... is there a valve or something involved in the PS system that opens/closes depending on direction the steering wheel is being turned...its probably not the actual rack and pinion mechanism since it doesn't happen when the car is OFF...

I'm thinking that when you switch directions something in the hydraulics has to switch states (open to close, or vice-versa)... and thats whats popping....

 

Could it be ther upper strut mounts?

 

Maybe your maxima is haunted by its previous owner

 

i would leave it alone till something breaks or till u get enough cash to fix it. diagnose it with some other mechanics

 

i drive to amherst weekly (~ 300mi round trip,)

i'd rather not have it fail on me when I'm on the pike, and i'm 150 miles away from home (since i leave amherst the following day)

i think i can rule out struts since i can turn the wheels when the car is off, with no sounds, correct? It *must* be the power steering, it will only make the noise when the car is on and the power steering turns the wheels. it also sounds like its coming from behind/underneath the throttle body (is this where some steering components are? steering box or anything like that)

 

does it only do it wile your moving or does it do it when your standing still, it could be ur cv joints, or it might be the problem i had: Check your upper fender well when your car's jacked up and make sure that the strut has not been rubbing against the fender well, it should be noticable

 

always, moving and stopped

not to sound retarded, but i honestly do not know much about suspension, which component is the "strut" itself; the hydrolic shock bolted onto the hub that goes up into the strut tower? if so (why are they called struts if its a shock?)

 

I know that exact noise, I noticed it once while parking. I assumed it was something wrong but it's completely normal. I use to push down on one side of my steering wheel while parked but running to create it. I'm pretty sure its just the valvework in the power steering assembly switching. Since the power steering pump only pumps fluid, to get the assist both directions, a set of valves switches the direction of power steering right or left, the popping noise is what you hear when it changes directions.

 

if this is true why did it *suddenly* appear? it's not a quiet pop that you would miss; i'm not deaf... this noise was non existant and then appeared one day.

 

given that your noise only appears when you change the direction of force i'd go with "69 CHARGER RT" advice and say check the strut mounts.
Also try tightening your wheels to a torque spec of 80 lbs.

 

you just talking about my lugs?