Beisdes the strange problem that I have been having with a right front tire that felt like it's flat, but it's not, I started hearing a noise that is reminiscent of either a motor mount going bad or a CV joint.

The noise is occurring on the passenger side.

It sounds like a "clunk" or a "thud."

Both CV's checked out to be OK.

What makes me think that it might not be the motor mount either is because the noise does not happen from a dead start -- even when stomping on the accelerator.

It happens mainly when shifting between 1st and 2nd and to a lesser extent between 2nd and 3rd -- either on an upshift or downshift on hard acceleration and ONLY when the A/C is running.

That worries me because it might be something inside the tranny or transaxle.

Other than requiring the engine and tranny to work harder to overcome the load put on it by the A/C, I don't know how else the A/C would be a factor.

NOW, there's one other thing that comes to mind and that is the strut bearing. There's a lot of torque steer put on it during hard acceleration, and it might be the source of the noise. The right strut mount was replaced (for a 2nd time) because it started making noise on turns, but now the left one is starting to make the same noise.

The mechanic was able to reproduce the noise, but he checked out all of the front suspension components and did not find any problems (beyond the noisy left strut mount).

If it was the right mount making noise on turns, I'd label that the culprit, but it really does sound like the noise is coming MAINLY from the right front, but I would not bet the ranch on it.

The shifting from 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 1st has always been stiff or rough ever since I got the car 40K ago (it had 103K on it when I bought it). I chalked that up to the torque converter which has a reputation of doing that.

BUT, now, when I'm accelerating hard, the tranny is sticking in 1st for a full second at the red line before going into 2nd.

Basically, I think that the hard shifting may have caused the noise problem (by loosening or wearing out some other part like a motor mount, strut mount, universal joint, etc) but is not the source of the noise.

So, what do you think is going on here? I need to know soon because I have to go on a long trip next week.

 

My mechanic thinks that the motor mounts are making the noise. He said that they are worn down to the point where the engine can be moved slightly when the car is on the lift.

In other words, the noise and vibration from the worn mounts may be annoying, but it is not bad enough to warrant replacing them -- so he suggests that I wait until they wear out further.

As long as this condition does not result in my car breaking down on the highway, I'm ok with it.

So, I'd like your opinion on what you would do?

Would you replace them now, or wait until they wear out more?

 

Start saving and when you have the money replace them, If u like to keep ur car maintained don't wait more than a couple of months, not mechanically threatening to motor but something else is bound to come up for repair and then u'll have 2 prob-good luk
edit-talking about mts

 

Good idea. I found a recent thread that's related to this one (http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=528190). Seems like this issue comes up a lot.

From the other post(s), and from what my mechanic told me, the motor mounts are causing the noise. But, I also have the left front strut mount (rather, the bushing inside) causing the spring to bind and pop -- just like the right one did a few months ago (thanks to a crappy strut installation).

The steering is locking up on right-hand turns -- also due to the bad mount.

So, in total, I have two things going bad: a motor mount and a strut mount.

I'm going to have the strut mount replaced now and start saving my money for the motor mounts.

 

good luck dude, BTW check ur local junk yard some unlucky fella wrecked his max and I pulled a nearly new one off the car (paid $15 cuz I know the guy at the yard from scavenging), haven't istalled but just an idea- look for cleaner looking mount metal than trany or valvr cover surfaces.

 

I have a clicking noise thats sound electronic coming from the dash???
like click click click......click

 

Check your a/c blower behind the glove compartment mayb striking something.

 

Well, I had the strut mount replaced, so that noise is gone. And, now I can hear the clunking of the motor mount...BUT, today I heard another noise that happened out of the blue while cruising, w/o any throttle and w/o turning the steering wheel. A single, random "clunk." Tried running over potholes and speed bumps, but could not reproduce the sound.

But, it happened again about 10 minutes later. One clunk, then nothing.

Very wierd.

 

have you checked the A/C unit to make sure it's bolted down tight? I would think so ... but stranger things have happened. W/O A/C ... no noise? Have you changed your tranny fluid at all? I would really doubt it's the A/C making the noise, but the engine is under greater load with A/C on ...

As for the shifts ... try changing out the trans fluid (flush and fill) with Redline. I bet that will help the shifting problems and maybe even take care of the noise too.

G'Luck ... keep us posted!


edit: Dunno (cause I drive a 5spd) where the trany filter is ... on my 3rd gen it was inside the trans, so I never did replace it, but I did do a flush and fill and my 91' shifted better than most new cars after. FTW!

 

I had the tranny flushed and refilled with Mobil 1 ATF about 9 months ago. It was runniNg fine before this unbearable heat wave hit. I'm going to invest in a tranny oil cooler soon.

The A/C clutch may be going, but I would expect more of a whine than a clunk.

I'm going to get a 4-wherll alignment and see if that helps.

There is definitely noises coming from the motor mounts on acceleration, releasing (it's not the springs and strut mounts as I had them recently replaced and rechecked).

 

Good good ... I think it could be the A/C clutch .. but like you I would expect more of a whine and for it to be constant. Odd ...

On the mounts ... you can look at them with a buddy at the wheel and have him go from P to N to D to R and watch the engine to see if it "jumps" ... if it does, this means the mount(s) are bad and the tourqe of the engine is making it jump like that. If you are a DIYr, make sure you use a flat of wood under the oil pan when you jack the engine up.

Keep us posetd!