I have a knocking noise coming from my front driver side tire. 1 tire rotation = 1 knock ...so effectively, the faster I go, the faster the knocking is. When I go around right turns, the knocking stays, but when I go around left turns, it fades. Is it the wheel bearing, the CV, or what? The CV boot is torn, but that just happened recently, so I don't think it would affect it at all would it?

 

Sounds like it, just take off your wheel and rotate the hub to hear where the sound is coming from.

 

I tried that. There doesn't appear to be any excessive play anywhere...and the wheel only does it under weight while rolling.

 

If it's the bearing you should hear some light scraping/rubbing when you take the wheel off and turn it by hand. If not that then you'll at least feel some catching as you turn it.

It sounds to me like a CV problem personally, if it's the knock I'm thinking of...kind of like loud clacking popcorn? Although if your boot just ripped I wouldn't expect it to happen so soon.

If that's not it then it might be something with your wheel balance; did you hit anything lately, maybe a weight fell off?

 

So when you removed the wheel and brakes, was there any play at all. Because I just replace mines because there was just a little play compared to the other side (which had none). Only cost $80 to fix ($40 for the bearing and $40 to get pressed). But if you say that it doesn't make any noise or have play then it might be your wheel or axle.

 

Okay, here is a sure fire way to tell if it's one of the front bearings on a nissan maxima.

Jack up the front tires with the wheels still on. Have someone run the motor in first gear while you feel on your suspension springs. If it's not the bearing, you will barely feel the spring vibrating. It it IS the bearing you will definitely feel the coil spring vibrating. If it's only one side you'll definitely be able to tell the difference between the left and right vibration.

If your touch is not sensitive enough to tell the difference, you can pm me for another tip.

 

Well let's put it this way: whatever it is, it's sending vibrations through the whole car. I can fell every knock in the clutch and gas pedals. I did recently purchase a bearing, so maybe I'll cowboy up and have another go at that 36mm nut.