Clunking noise from front end
03-28-2009, 05:24 AM
#1
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Location: Whorelando, Fl
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Clunking noise from front end
everytime I make a right or left. I here a clunking sound!
ive searched
not sure if its my control arms, tire rods, ball joints or what
help please!
thanks org!
ive searched
not sure if its my control arms, tire rods, ball joints or what
help please!
thanks org!
03-28-2009, 09:11 AM
#3
03-29-2009, 09:09 AM
#5
I have similar issues, though not lowered. It's much worse when I'm in reverse. The alignment is whack, especially noticeable at highway speeds. I was thinking tie rod ends, but could this be control arms as well?
03-29-2009, 10:42 AM
#7
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 237
I am hearing a similar noise on my car, so i replaced the strut mounts in front and i still hear the noise. So i have narrowed it down to my axles. My axles are popping back and forth making a clucking noise when i turn. But while i am down there i am going to do my ball joints as well.
Last edited by Kico; 04-26-2009 at 07:28 PM.
03-29-2009, 11:14 AM
#8
I have also had front end noise. Im lowered on Sprint springs with KYB AGX adjut I only hear the niose when I go over a bumpy road or turn hard right. I have a few different sound one sound when going over bumpy roads sound like a metal clunking along with like rattling type sound. When I turn hard right I also hear a rattling type sound. I have had sway end links, lower control arm, inner tie rod, rubber boot (RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE) . I also had both stut mounts replaced. My mechanic told me he can't figure out where the noise is coming from. So frustrating , Im going to check alignment and go from there.
Last edited by maxprivate; 03-29-2009 at 11:18 AM.
03-29-2009, 02:26 PM
#9
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Location: London, ON, CANADA
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could be many things making that noise. Axles, sway bar links, sway bar bushings, strut mount, strut bearings, etc. i dont see how it could be your control arm unless u bent it. It could be the control arm bushings or balljoint. There was a link on here with a guy who put a video up and it was his control arm bushing(the one closer to the front which is silver and has a nut on it), hope that helps a bit. I have noises too. I just did both balljoints, the rubber was torn, but it did not help the noise at all. Doin inner outer tie rods next and wheel bearings, cause I gotta do those anyway, and after that hopefully raxles, and it should be good (fingers crossed).
Last edited by vilmaxima; 03-29-2009 at 02:42 PM.
03-29-2009, 02:34 PM
#10
The guy that has worked on my car has been a mechanic at Nissan for as long as I owned my car 97.. and he couldn't find the source of the noise and told me there was nothing else he could do 
. sucks I've spent about 800 bucks on front end repairs so far.
. sucks I've spent about 800 bucks on front end repairs so far.
03-29-2009, 08:30 PM
#13
What has happened in the past with my control arm is it got really worn and the ball joints were off(not firm/has some play).So try jacking up the car shaking the wheel and IF you see wobbling or even here any slight clunking.....thats exactly what happened on my side. It could also be the strut mount.
03-31-2009, 07:00 AM
#14
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I just got back from my mechanic, who attributes my 'clunking' sound to the rusting lower radiator support, which is significantly degraded it seems. Time to do a new search, I've heard this particular repair is trouble and $
03-31-2009, 07:15 AM
#15
yes it is a lot of work for the replacement of the radiator support. Make sure you use Nissan support bracket when you have this part replaced . That is another part I forgot to add to the list of work I had done so far and noise is still there.
Last edited by maxprivate; 03-31-2009 at 07:54 AM.
03-31-2009, 07:57 AM
#17
03-31-2009, 08:15 AM
#18
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I have a horrible clunk in my front end also. My mechanic changed 4 rubbers on the left side and it stoped for awhile. Then I got the sound again, he showed my 2 long flat metal pieces that appeared to be on the frame. They were really thin and both needed to be sandwiched together and they were coming apart when I turn left, right, pothole and uphill turns. He welded it but it only held for about an hour. I still have the noise.
03-31-2009, 10:38 AM
#19
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clunking sound with turns
have you checked the sway bar links. these often go overlooked cuz when the car is on the ground they appear as normal. nissan used a ball-in-socket type swaybar links. when the ball pops out, or in my case, cracks the socket into pieces, the loose ends hit eachother when the nose of your car rolls around turns, thus the clunking sound. if its a rattling sound its possible that your brake mounts are loose or worn. mine are cranked tight but the mounts are worn so it offers a slight rattling sound when turning.
03-31-2009, 10:53 AM
#20
have you checked the sway bar links. these often go overlooked cuz when the car is on the ground they appear as normal. nissan used a ball-in-socket type swaybar links. when the ball pops out, or in my case, cracks the socket into pieces, the loose ends hit eachother when the nose of your car rolls around turns, thus the clunking sound. if its a rattling sound its possible that your brake mounts are loose or worn. mine are cranked tight but the mounts are worn so it offers a slight rattling sound when turning.
03-31-2009, 07:29 PM
#22
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Location: Connecticut / Western Mass
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Got the same problem. Replaced both my axles and didn't solve it. I can also hear the clunking if I push down on each of the fenders. Sounds like it's coming from the rear of the engine, but at the same time like the drivers side suspension so it's kinda hard to tell.
03-31-2009, 07:37 PM
#23
04-07-2009, 07:10 AM
#24
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I still have the low speed acceleration 'clunking' sound after getting my lower radiator support replaced. It really amazes me how professional mechanics simply guess at things by and large; I had asked them to evaluate this issue and they immediately attributed it to the tie bar. Granted, it needed replacement, but I remain amazed that it's generally up to us owners to diagnose our vehicles properly.
So having installed Raxles, inner & outer tie rods, and exhaust hangers all in the last year or two, I agree with djlusky and loxity that the culprit is either sway bar links/bushings and/or LCAs.
So having installed Raxles, inner & outer tie rods, and exhaust hangers all in the last year or two, I agree with djlusky and loxity that the culprit is either sway bar links/bushings and/or LCAs.
04-07-2009, 07:20 AM
#25
I still have the low speed acceleration 'clunking' sound after getting my lower radiator support replaced. It really amazes me how professional mechanics simply guess at things by and large; I had asked them to evaluate this issue and they immediately attributed it to the tie bar. Granted, it needed replacement, but I remain amazed that it's generally up to us owners to diagnose our vehicles properly.
So having installed Raxles, inner & outer tie rods, and exhaust hangers all in the last year or two, I agree with djlusky and loxity that the culprit is either sway bar links/bushings and/or LCAs.
So having installed Raxles, inner & outer tie rods, and exhaust hangers all in the last year or two, I agree with djlusky and loxity that the culprit is either sway bar links/bushings and/or LCAs.
04-07-2009, 07:57 AM
#28
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I have the progress coilovers for a bit over 2 years, it would be very disappointing to me if that was the case, Nismo. However, that will be looked at next, after troubleshooting the sway bar link theory. Here's a good link for anyone looking into this as the problem, the same symptoms are described:
http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...-how-pics.html
The thread also references a wikihow link on sway bar link replacement.
http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...-how-pics.html
The thread also references a wikihow link on sway bar link replacement.
04-07-2009, 08:03 AM
#29
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Location: Grand Rapids MI
Posts: 160
I also have a clunking noise. Still on original suspension (126k miles) stock height. The axles are brand new. I took it to a shop but they said they couldn't hear anything. It doesn't sound like it is the suspension, because I can go over speed bump head on and no noise, but if the car rolls side to side you can hear it and if you are in reverse and you have the wheels turned all the way to one side you can hear it.
04-08-2009, 06:58 AM
#31
I once had a rock something hard (forgot what it was) drop down into the spare tire area and was rattling around everytime I hit a bump or turn hard. When I was changing my rear springs, I took everything out and found it. I dont even have a spare tire in there anymore and stuffed a big blanket in there.
04-19-2009, 10:47 PM
#35
And ???? 
I also have a drivers side 'clunk' but I can't track it down either. Seems it is only on bumpy surfaces (no clunk at hwy speeds). I figure it'll get bad enough to let me know what it is eventually, until then - I just live with it. lol Sad ... but I can't figure out where it's coming from.
I've thought strut mount, ball joint (although, no other s/s of bad ball joint), tie rod ends (again, no other signs of bad TREs), control arm, hub, axle, you name it .... I'll just wait it out.
I also have a drivers side 'clunk' but I can't track it down either. Seems it is only on bumpy surfaces (no clunk at hwy speeds). I figure it'll get bad enough to let me know what it is eventually, until then - I just live with it. lol Sad ... but I can't figure out where it's coming from.
I've thought strut mount, ball joint (although, no other s/s of bad ball joint), tie rod ends (again, no other signs of bad TREs), control arm, hub, axle, you name it .... I'll just wait it out.
04-19-2009, 11:35 PM
#36
if you also get a 'wobble' feeling at HWY speeds, the clunk might be a balljoint which to some people might mean the replacement of the LCA. Due to it being a problem during steering, I would check the sway bar endlinks first.
04-21-2009, 06:31 AM
#37
04-21-2009, 06:36 AM
#38
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Location: Grand Rapids MI
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I get a wobble at low speed like 10mph. Not sure if it is related to the noise but there is a definite wobble. Also when at HWY speeds the car is very sensitive to winds. Wind never used to bother the car but now if a gust of wind hits the car it practically blows me into the other lane. I have to turn the wheel 45 degrees to correct it.
04-21-2009, 12:34 PM
#39
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Posts: 887
Ive had this similar type of noise for awhile now as well. But whats weird is this "clunk" noise only appears after I drive it in the wet. Something is getting wet that is not suppose to and causing this noise. I did think it was the struts/springs, but nothing when I push down on the fenders. Only when I go over potholes, or when weight is transferred from side to side when turning.
I had my CV boots replaced last week as they were cracked on both sides. I was thinking that was the problem. But it clearly wasn't.
Definitely discouraging that many other people are having similar issues, yet no one really knows what it is. :sad: I just hope a wheel doesnt fly off (or worse) when I'm driving.
I had my CV boots replaced last week as they were cracked on both sides. I was thinking that was the problem. But it clearly wasn't.
Definitely discouraging that many other people are having similar issues, yet no one really knows what it is. :sad: I just hope a wheel doesnt fly off (or worse) when I'm driving.
