Any ideas on what it might be would be appreciated. Engine mount?

 

Does your Maxima have 5-speed or automatic transmission?

Is the symptom observed the instant you shift into reverse, or only when the car starts to move?

Is the symptom "solid" (always present) or intermittent?

Is the symptom any more or less pronounced when reversing on a steep slope?

Have there been any repairs done recently?

Has the car ever been in a crash?

 

Sounds like a motor mount.

 

It is a 5-speed. I notice it in the morning when I reverse out of my driveway (gentle slope). This is the only times I have noticed it so far. It is when the car starts to move. No repairs done recently. It was wrecked on the passenger front side slightly before I bought the car. I had to repair the air bag module on the front passenger side and some slight aesthetic damage to that side, but no bent rim or internal damage.

 

Please make an experiment. Attempt to reverse out of the driveway (as you normally would) but do this with the handbrake on. Listen for the "thunk". The idea is to distinguish between a sound which comes from driveline lash and one which comes from some non-driveline vehicle part.

 

I have the same problem only when going in reverse...but the difference is my sound comes from the back...and I also drive a 5sp..any help would be appreciated...

 

Your back breaks are out (pads) and the indicator level is making the sound only when you back-up. Just replace your pads and you will be alright...

 

I've had the same problem with my SE...it's an auto, only present in the mornings (probably since I rarely backup anywhere), no repairs done recently, never been in an accident, will have to find a steeper hill to back down. It could very well be the brake pads though...don't know when they were changed last.

 

Well, were you turning the steering wheel when you back up? Such as pulling out of a driveway and onto the street? Because a thunk can be felt if your strut bearings have gone south, like they have on my car. Basically, the strut bearings don't turn smoothly, causing the spring to bind on the strut mount and when they do turn, you feel a thunk or creak through the steering wheel.

 

I'll try it in the morning and let you know tommorrow. Thanks for the help!

 

I tried backing out w/ e-brake on and heard no noise yesterday. Then tried doing it again w/o e-brake and still no noise. Then w/o e-brake this morning and there was the thunk again. Seems to only happen in the morning.

 

I hear the same thunk sometimes when pressing on the braks just after a direction change (forward to backward). It sounds pretty solid, and only seems to happen when on the brakes. I sent this prob out on the test server, and felix822 said he had the same problem and said 3 mechanics could find nothing. My CV boots are in good shape, breaks are fine so are we crazy?

 

haha i had a thump but it was my air filter hitting my wheel well. Might possibly be your problem.

 

I think I heard the same noise in my '96 SE and pointed it out to my mechanic. He told me the noise is the shifting of the brake pads as you change directions, then tap the brakes.

 

Wow, I guess what I read a while back was true. Maxima.org is the place where old threads never die .