Ok a little back ground first.

Car: 1996 maxima se 5speed

I bought this max in march of this year, it had aprox. 182k miles an now has 191k. I have a book of service records dating back to day in 96'. The car was well maintained by previous owners an was used for daily driving. Car is bone stock except for wheels an audio.

I started noticing a faint creak sound when I would turn right from a stop, today I was parking infront of my house an heard it a little louder. I turned the wheels from left to right an from about center point in the steering I heard that creak while turning right, it doesn't do it the whole time steering to right just a little maybe a 1/4 turn on wheel. It sounds like its coming from the left side, I do have a torn cv boot (on the list of to do's) so I was thinking it was that since some grease has come out the boot. I also have a torn rack an pinion boot on the right side.

What could it possibly be or where should I start checking? I'm goin on my honeymoon in a week an a half an need my car lol thanks again

 

Both. The tie rod boot is a pita to get on but easy to get to.

Just replace the axle and regrease the tie rod ball joint before booting her up

 

Also you will need an alignment after replacing the Inner tie rod boot. Unless you record the number of turns to take off outer tie rod

 

hmm ill have to take the tire off an look around some, i just hope its not costly as im kinda broke atm. could the creak be from a flat spot in the cv or just something drying out from age? its kinda weird it only happens turning right, i thought it would do it both ways.

 

If your inner tie rod boot is torn then the grease that should be around the joint is drying out, and will cause creaks, as far as actual cv boots on the axle, i just replaced the axle. inner tie rod boot cost me about $5 at jy, and i got my axle for $60 something from star auto shop

 

Axle creak only when happens when you're turning as you're driving. If you get that creak, then it's the axle. If you get it from a stop, it's worn out steering gear components as Fauken said. All maximas are notorious for having the said creaking from our steering gear, which costs a pretty penny to get new from the stealership

Be safe and just get the axle replaced first, and then tie rods and boots. I'm going through the same, but am already in the process of doing it this weekend. Good luck to you though Jim!

 

Yea like everyone said probably your axle. I deal with this every three months swapping axles out. Next to on my list is control arms still have my stock ones

 

i kno it should be replaced asap, but how long do i have? im goin on a 4 hour drive on the 12th to vegas hehe an need my car since its all i got

 

I've driven on a bad driver's side axle for well over 2 years

And then my passenger one blew up going to the mountains, and drove with it for a good 3 months. But eventually got them both redone.


I say your chances are alright, though it's always a priority, and a SUPER EASY JOB! If you have an impact gun