q45Owner

I have been fighting this front end noise with my Maxima 03 SE 65K since I picked it up back in October.

I get thumping sound (tap tap) when going over bumps at low speeds only (less than 35MPH). Does not matter turning or not, I get the sound.

I have read all the threads many many times over this with fixes ranging from nothing to just about everything on the Front suspension.

What I have done so far:

1. Replaced all 4 struts, bearings, and mounts with Deale parts (TK blues struts) - no change in noise
2. Replaced the sway bar end links with dealer parts - no change in noise
3. Changed tires - Yokohama 520s - no change in noise
4. Tightened up the hood latch - no change in noise
5. The dealer checked the wheel bearings and eliminated that to be the problem , they said front tires were bad - I changed them and the problem is still there - no change in noise

Yesterday I took the wheels off again in serch for the fix and took some photographs for the links and the struts, can you suggest any trail there?

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

What pics?

I was gonna say the strut mounts but it seems you replaced those already. You sure everything is installed properly?

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

This one's a little confusing. Possibly bad motor mounts causing more play in the engine making clanking noises?

q45Owner

If you guys can confirm my three hunches:

1. Is my right strut sitting properly? There seems to be some gap b/w the spring end and the perch --See the picture below:

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

Pics aren't working for me

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

The gap should not cause any problems with my experience. Although I could be wrong.

q45Owner

#2. The end links look aligned & OK to you?

THIS IS THE DRIVER SIDE LINK





THIS IS THE PASSENGER SIDE LINK (MORE NOISE ON THIS SIDE)



Question on the end links - Am I supposed to torque the end links with fron suspension loaded? When I did this the car was on jack stands supported on the frame.

q45Owner

HUNCH #3: Do I need sway bar bushings? this is 65K 2003 SE only.....

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

Sway bar bushings look fine.
Try to fix the spring gap. Also are the springs installed on the right side(should say out on them)

x91max

first try this. bounce the front of ur car when its parked. if you hear it it probably is that gap which is cake to fix. anyways id also check the control arm bushings. they go bad and cause a huge racket.

q45Owner

Manual bouncing never produced any sound, not before and not now.

How do I check for the LCA bushings? Thx

x91max

lift the car off the ground take the tire off. unbolt everthing tying to the control arm so that its just the arm bolted on the hinge to the car. and see if you can generate the noise slamming it around.

q45Owner

What are we looking at? few bolts? I guess I will need a breaker bar for this?

Thanks

shoman94

iTrader: (4)

Did the 2003 have the recall for the lower control arms also? I know my 2002 had them done... maybe that is something to look into.

LikeAboss

i am going through the exact same thing. - am going to be replacing my struts with tokico and new strut mounts. i am doing the sway bar links and the inner tie rod. I hope this solves it. let me know what the conclusion is. how is the ride with tokico with stock springs.

q45Owner

Right now after the things I have changed - if I go over a harsh bump (little one but steep in incline) it seems as if my front bumber will fall to the ground.

I can visually see the hood vibrate a little as well when it goes over the bumps at lower speeds - now this can be the light reflecting from the hood bending when the car goes over/down the bump

The tokico blues are a tad tighter than the OEM this SE had - but then it could be that OEMs were on the way out and the newer ones are too new...

LikeAboss

mine happens over sharp bumps like the little ones that you don't see. I noticed that those make the noise but the big ones don't just really feel it inside the car. I had three opinions and all said the same thing about the parts needing replacement. I am going with the tokico's but really don't want a harsh ride. I just want it to ride smooth.

Quick question I wanted to know if you did the work yourself or had a shop do the work and if so how much did it cost to get the struts in. thanks I know its off topic but I am curious. thanks

q45Owner

TK blues shipped were like $299 from eBay (JDM). A mechanic and myself helping him put it in for me for $200 all corners - $120 for the 2 fronts and $80 for the rears.

What is the consensus opinon you got from 3 different mechanics on the fix?

LikeAboss

well they told me to fix those things that i mentioned. they say the struts are good but i dont agree. they said the sway links cause little bumps to feel big. my tie rod is causing vibration too which doesnt help my alignment

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

I don't think the endlinks make bumps feel worse. I have never heard that.

LikeAboss

I was talking about the sway bar links or stabilizer links. I don't know if that is the same as endlinks.

rmd0311

iTrader: (4)

Not sure if this will help. BUT, I had a similar issue with my 01. It turned out to be that the two TOP FRONT bolts that hold the radiator were loose. So the radiator had extra play. Over bumps I would here the rattle.

Prob not the same for you, but just a heads up.

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

Yeah, the sway bar end links. I don't think they make bumps feel worse.

armor_dan

You've changed everything but the tie rod ends it seems. I had the same problem, which they replaced the tie rod ends and that was the problem. Drive your car around, slowly, and whip the steering wheel back and forth. If it knocks when you do that, then that's the problem. It disappears when you are driving fast due to the pressure the friction on the tire in motion puts on them (I hope that made sense, it does in my head anyhow).

The Hulio

q45owner,

I've got an '02 I35 that exhibits the same problem, with only 64k on it. Front passenger side only however, clunk or knocking sound when going over smaller but sharp bumps. Large bumps doesn't cause it, but speed bumps do however.

I've had the dealer look it over twice, and they say there's no problem. Sway bar end links are fine, strut bearings are fine, control arm bushings are fine, struts look fine, everything is tight and they can't find a problem.

I spoke to the mechanic directly who said he's worked on Nissan's for 23yrs, and he's seen this issue quite a few times before. He said he's tried on several occasions to change all kinds of parts, and at times he's been able to fix the problem, only to have the noise return again a few weeks later. He feels it's an inherent design problem with the car, and some of them simply have this problem, and some don't.

Although I believe this mechanic, I'm going to another dealer for a second opinion. However, I expect the same result, no problems found.

Joe.

Roby1981

I have the exact same problem that started about 1 week ago on my 03 GLE. It is very annoying!

Professor

iTrader: (4)

Hit the wheel with a mallet, it Will mimic the noise ONLY when weight is on the tire, I had mine on the lift and hit it with a mallet, i can hear it but not as much as with the weight on it, AND when i do it, It seems to come from the front motor mount area in the middle, or that brace there, Thats what i found out so far.

q45Owner

Inner or Outer? I tried jiggling/wiggling the tie rods and they seem snug...were yous lose when you replaced 'em?

Thanks

LikeAboss

two questions what do sway bar links do and can a loose tie bar cause noises.

Roby1981

Brought my 03 GLE to the dealer today and had the front noise fixed. THey replaced the passenger side link. The mecanic said that there was a little play in it. Anyways went to work and back with the car afterwards and the noise is no longer there, hopefully it stays that way.

Professor

iTrader: (4)

man i replaced my links, strut plats, new rotors/pads/ and its still there.

I took the sway bar links completely Off the car and the noise is still there also
this is a unsolved mystery.

LikeAboss

anybody have a answer for my question above i really need to know

q45Owner

No u pdates here - the car still making noise. I am in for an alignment, will goto the stealership and ask them to look at it as well while they do the alignment. I am sure they will not find anything....

The Hulio

I had the exact same problem you describe. The problem was the right hand motor mount, or the rear motor mount, however you want it described.

The dealer went insane trying to find the problem, and that's what it was.

LikeAboss

how much did it cost to do that . i mean the motor mount.

bigocciput

I just had my sway bar link pins replaced and that solved the clicking noise that has been ongoing for over a year. I am so happy.

boondoxmax

iTrader: (1)

I am gonna go with swaybar bushings........I had that noise and that was the problem

Dimashka

I had the same slight rattle coming from suspension. I also changed the whole set up and it was still there. Then a buddy of mine showed me how his hood rattles a little. and i saw that mine does the same thing. So i put some electrical tape round the hood lock and the rattle at low speeds went away. Then i check my brothers 2002 maxima and he had the same problem. just check your hood while it is locked and see if it slightly moves up and down. THAT DROVE ME NUTS. Just like you i changed everything!!!

p2kmax

i get them same thumpin noise from my 2000 se but i replace all and still try the motor mounts i did and it stop

xnyc

iTrader: (9)

wow thread bump from 9 months ago. good luck with your noises