Hello All,

I have been an avid reader and contributing poster here on the org.
I recently have gotten a weird clunking noise in the front wheel well(passenger side slightly toward the center.)going over manhole covers and subtle potholes.

Now I know it possible could have been caused by my 18's I had on b4. So, I took them off. and put Nissan '03 17's on and took it to NISSAN. It rides much better i must say.

Anyways, I have an extended warranty and took the car to Nissan Service. Cool, They were cool about it and replaced the front struts (both) cuz they diagnosed the problem from some bad front struts. GOOD JOB.

So, I have them replaced under warranty, but i am still hearing this weird clunking noise, going only over bumps (30-40 mph) When traveling over bumps the car does not seem to soak up the bumps to well (unlike my parents 2000 maxima se 16's, its still feels hard like i still have 18's on. A bit of WHEEL HOP after the bump if you know what i mean.

Now since, I already got the front struts done. I am thinking to have them check it out again.

I checked the tire pressure 32 psi and 215/55/17. So i figure is not to hard of a pressure.

I am guessing there is something else.
a) exhaust loose or something?
b) strut bearing bad? ---- shouldn't the new struts have come with one?
c) control arm or something bad (bushing?)
d) I have not friggin clue?

e) I think the wheel bearings are ok, no grinding noise or loose wheel (I jacked up the car and tried to wiggle the tire. - solid)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
-Anthony

 

Hmmm....sounds a little like 1. a bad wheel bearing, or 2. a bad strut mount bearing.

 

if the strut bearing was bad, it would have been obvious to them when they did the struts (and they probably put new ones in anyhow). BTW, not a bad call by the dealer on the struts...that is a common maxima problem, front struts going bad which makes that noise (I know from experience) Assuming not a bad wheel bearing, sounds alot like a bad tie rod end....check it.

 

Hey try the control arm bushings, they are known to go bad and need to be replaced. Happened to my 94 max

 

Have your dealer look at your front sway bar end links. I just went through a LOT of checking this, tightening that, replacing this (including a strut) and the end links were the problem and from what you write, it sounds exactly like the same problem. BTW, one had to be cut off to be removed so don't get scared if you see the blue-tipped wrench going into the garage!

Good luck.