I also appreciate all of the good advice you provide. I have a 95 Nissan Maxima GXE 5 spd. with about 100,000 miles. When I turn the steering wheel at a stop there is a noise from the front suspension that sounds like a short but not loud groaning or grunting noise. The wheel can be turned up to a point without making this noise but then one can feel resistance and the noise occurs. At first I just thought it was the tires but it also seems to do this when the car is moving, although the road noise makes it harder to hear. I wonder if it is a bad bushing or something similar. It seems to be coming from the front struts and springs but I've had a garage go over it a few times and they can't find anything wrong. Is this noise normal, in your opinion, and if not, what do you thing might be causing it. Thank you. Chris

 

It's flattering to be called on for advice, but it's better if you use the subject line for a description of the problem. In this case it could be Grunting in front suspension. That would draw the attention of Maxima owners who had a similar problem and solved it. Shared owner experience is a major strength of this forum.

Equip yourself with a 4-foot length of small diameter vacuum hose. Raise the hood. Have an assistant turn the wheel right and left to produce the clunking sound. The motor does not have to be running for this test. You put one end of the hose in your ear and position the other end near the top of the struts. This will help pinpoint the origin of the unwanted sound. It could be coming from the strut mounting bearing or strut mounting insulator.

See Chilton (page 8-9) or Haynes (page 10-6).

 

Thanks for your help. I'll give it a try.