My right shock slips when I turn the wheel. The piece slipping is at the top of the shock where the shock connects to the the car's body. This mechanic told me its a common problem on Maximas and I have to change the whole unit (shock & connector) for $400. Has anyone else heard of this?

 

...hmmmmm,,the slipping shock syndrome


its making noise? be more specific with symptom

 

plus the mechanic is ripping you

 

The strut and spring are supposed to turn when you turn your wheels. There is a bearing that allows that assembly to turn, it's called a strut bearing. It's a $25 dollar part from Nissan. The only other item that might be failing is the upper strut mount. Again, it's about a $25 dollar part from Nissan. Labor to change one of those parts should be about 30-45 minutes at $50/hr max. So your looking at ~$50 to $75 dollar repair bill.

Conclusion: Find another mechanic.

 

sounds like the strut insulator. Here's how you can tell. open the hood and bounce the car... pull up on the car from the wheel well also. If you can see the black rubber thingy moving, it's the insulator. They should be pretty solid.
If it is the insulator, the part is $40 from from nissanparts.cc (or 60 from your local dealer). The labor involved is simply dissasembling the strut assembly which a good shop will charge you around $50 for.

 

If you look at the piece that is slipping, its a black plastic piece (probably the strut instulator ... thanks netfurie). The piece jumps out of position and back in everytime the wheel turns about 20 degress. Sound like the strut insulator??
thanks for all the help Netfurie & njmaxseltd. I just bought this car, so I don't alot about its mechanic components yet.