Whenever I turn the wheel, I hear some clicking noises. It doesnt matter which way I turn. I just had the front strut towers and struts replaced. The ride and handling are unaffected. Does anyone know what is causing this?

 

sounds like your CV joint...

 

If the clicking sound is rhythmic, and the frequency of click is proportional to vehicle speed, and the sound is most pronounced when the steering wheel is turned to full lock, the likely source is the CV joint. A bad strut bearing makes a variety of sounds, more often described as grunting than clicking, as the steering wheel is being turned. A bad strut bearing will make noise even when the vehicle is stationary. A bad CV joint will make noise only when the vehicle is moving.

 

Equip yourself with a 4-foot length of small diameter vacuum hose. Raise the hood. Have an assistant turn the wheel right left to produce the clicking sound. The motor does not have to be running for this test. You put one end of the hose in your ear 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).

 

I hear the noise all the time, moving or not moving. As I turn the wheel, I will hear about 3 clicks. Either direction. Thanx for the replies.

 

so it makes the sound as you turn the steering wheel? when the car is moving around a turn? in that case it's not your CV joint as i previously stated, i misunderstood you. i had a ruined strut mount bearing, but the noise it made when i turned the wheel was a groaning/creaking noise, not a click.

 

Go back to the place which did the strut work for you. They did something wrong and should correct it at no charge.

 

Will the strut bearing make more noise in the rain? also be very apprent when going around bumpy corners or just down a bumpy road? I am worried that my rack and pinion is going out, because my front tires are wearing out like a *****, I also think that my strut tower brace may be affecting tire wear? is that possible?

 

No. Rapid tire wear may be caused by bad wheel alignment or abusive driving practices such as racing starts, hard cornering, and extreme braking.

 

the alignment is fine, and I race but not enough to wear out a set of tires in a couple of months, what about camber or the rack and pinion? would they cause the tire wear, if not what could be wrong with a Maxima in order for it to wear tires very badly not racing or alignment? if there are any?

 

Front wheel alignment is determined by three characteristics: caster, camber, and toe. You say the alignment is fine. Therefore your question "what about camber" has already been answered. It is fine.

The rack and pinion steering gear does not affect tire wear. A faulty R & P might result in power steering fluid leaks, binding as the steering wheel is turned, lack of power assist, or excessive free play in the steering wheel. These are not the symptoms you report.

Worn out struts can accelerate tire wear, and usually in a pattern called cupping. The tread of the tire develops noticeable "hills and valleys".