I get a really annoying squeaking sound while going over LIGHT bumps in the road. Pot holes, speedbumps, etc... AREN'T a problem. Anyone know what this may be caused by? I know it's probably one of a million possible things, but I've looked under the car twice (I work at a shop so I have access to a lift whenever I need it) and haven't seen anything that looked like it'd be an issue. Just for the hell of it I lubed my ball joints, etc.. but the squeaking is still there and I know it's something to do with the suspension it's not my exhaust hangers or anything like that. My only other thought is maybe my struts are bad but ride quality doesn't seem bad at all although they are the original struts. Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

HEHEHEHE

Squeaking? You have to be more specific. Like where is it comming from? Is it your interior panels/dash? Comming from the outside? Is it the "one gallon water jug being tossed around" noise? It could be your struts like you said...

 

Well....obviously it's coming from the outside since I was lubing my ball joints (yes, go ahead, giggle like a little school girl!) It sounds like it's coming from the drivers side but I can't really tell whether it is coming from the front or the rear. I'm 99% positive it's a suspension issue so I'm just trying to figure out what part it is! I'm actually hoping it's my struts because then it gives me a reason to finally lower my car (hell I was reinstalling my front strut bar the other night since I bought a torque wrench and tend to be quite **** and wanted to make sure they were torqued correctly and wound up snapping one of the strut bolts off)...so I guess new struts will be coming in the future anyway. In the meantime I'd like to figure out what this noise is though because I don't want to go ahead and replace my springs and struts and have the noise still be there if it's being caused by something else. Maybe I can try to get a soundclip up if it'll help

 

You're not alone. I have the same problem as do many others on here

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=410868

Getting it looked at sometime in the next week, whoever figures it out first, please share.

 

i had that problem, it had something to do with the bump stops

 

i just play the radio really loud. my squeaking noise was really loud when i first installed my eibach/gr2 and after a month the squeaking is not as loud but still annoying.

 

I had the same problem for a year. I removed the right front suspension(including the control arm) about 4 times searching for the squeak. I later traced the squeak to the bonnet lock!! Added some grease and squeaks were gone. I later adjusted the lock and the rubber stops to tighten the bonnet. Rule out the bonnet lock first before wasting time like me.

 

What's a bonet lock? I had changed the springs/struts a few months ago and my rear left creaks when it's cold and it's dang annoying.

 

#1 source of suspension squeeks are from bad front strut bearings. Also, if you have an addco (or another brand but same design) rear sway bar, the bushings for those can go bad and cause a god awful amount of squeeks.

 

in my 1997 Maxima GXE, though I do have two worn lower ball joints. Hmm.. I wonder if those are easy to replace.

As far as squeaks, I've never experienced any at all (on the outside) with this Maxima. Sorry I'm no help on this problem. I'll look farther down the threads to see if I can assist someone else.

 

Since you are going to replace them then what is the problem?...Get a pickle fork and go to town on it!

 

If we're not busy at the shop tomorrow I'll try to get my car up on the lift to take a real close look at things. If I find anything I'll let you all know

 

i30ds:

On the 97 it seems that the ball joint is not bolted on but rather press fit into the control arm. I read somewhere that the recommendation is to replace the entire control arm. Is this your understanding?

 

No, who ever told you that is a moron... it separates just like a tie rod ball joint. First, loosen the tightening nut on top of the ball joint. Then, you can either a use a tie rod removal tool (try the kent moore tools from nissan or possibly something from autozone), or you can use a pickle fork. This will damage it, but if you are going to replace it who the hell cares right?

 

I hate to sound like an idiot, but when it comes to these ball joints, I am. Is there a "how to" somewhere on this? I'm sure there is info in the manuals, but I don't have one. The autozone website says that the lower ball joint on the 95-98's is not replaceable. On 93-94's, there are three bolts that hold the ball joint in place but a tool (perhaps the "pickle fork") is needed to press out the ball joint after removing the nuts from the bolts.

On the 97, is a special tool required to install the new ball joint if the old one can be pressed out, albeit with damage to the ball joint? I looked at my assembly this evening and I cannot really see how the ball joint separates from the control arm. Thanks for you help

 

THe info I gave you is directly from my 97 FSM.

Did you see the nut on the top?? All you do is loosen that and seperate it from the control arm. To seperate it, you can use either of the tools I mentioned, but using the pickle fork will damage the rubber boot that surrounds the joint. Since you are going to replace the joint (which would include a new boot) you could use a pickle fork.

 

So when I reinstall the new ball joint, how hard is it to press it back into the control arm while the control arm is still on the car?

 

That I dont know... It could go in with ease or it might take a hammer (with some thing like a little wood block on top). YOu have a nut on top of the ball joint so that will offer some protection.