kaptainkrunk

iTrader: (3)

Hi all,
My 98 max is making some "thud thud thud" noises when driving thats coming from the driver side....sounds are centralizing somewhere in the wheel well area. I replaced both the driver and passenger side axels in Jan with brand new Raxles. I just started to notice the noise now though, and seems to be occuring when i drive over little bumps in roads. I did lower my car with some k-sport coilovers over a year ago, so I dont know if something connected to them is beginning to fall apart. Do you guys think the axels have gone bad again? On the highways and even under accelerating the noise doesnt come up...only over bumpy roads...what do you guys think?

kaptainkrunk

iTrader: (3)

bump.....anyone?

2da mizzax

iTrader: (4)

ball joint. sway bar linkage. bad strut. tie rod end. could be a number of things. perhaps you should take the wheel off and look for something loose.

kaptainkrunk

iTrader: (3)

Is there anyway I can localize it to any specfic thing? I took off the wheel and checked for loose stuff but didnt see/feel anything in particular.

2da mizzax

iTrader: (4)

If you want to do something first, change the sway bar linkages. It will only cost you about $50 in parts and prob needs to be changed anyhow. easy to do. if you want to inspect it first, jack the car up. grab the wheel @ 12 and 6 o'clock. push and pull to see if there is any movement. If there is, it could be your ball joint or bearings. grab the wheel @ 3 and 6 o'clock. push/pull. if there is movement yoru tie rod and or bearings could be bad. if you have movement in both directions then it is your bearings. if only movement in one direction, then it is either the tie rod or ball joint (depending on direction of motion. next, look at your strut for oil on the shaft. if none, drop the car and give it the good old bounce test. That will tell you if the strut is blown or not. either way I would change the sway bar linkages. If you believe in ES bushings, now is the time to order them too.

kaptainkrunk

iTrader: (3)

appreciate the advice...ill give it a test tommorow

kaptainkrunk

iTrader: (3)

appreciate the advice...ill give it a test tommorow

kaptainkrunk

iTrader: (3)

So i think i might of isolated the problem to the ball joint. I am thinking that while im down there I might as well replace the tie rods and sway bar linkages. The question now is what replacement parts should I get, I am finding several types for each replacement, so if you guys have a trusted online place with part #'s that would be nice. Also can you point me to some DIY instructions for replacements, I have a feeling if these ball joints are like truck ball joints i am going to have to bust out a hammer .

wildwesbmw

Not sure on which parts store to use. I've changed ball joints on another car and a friend's advice to get a short heavy hammer (believe it's about 8 lb) really worked well. Local harbor freight for the hammer.

Mxrider52

iTrader: (8)

Definately get OEM parts besides ball joints(get moog) since nissan doesnt sell them sepaerate from the LCA.