I notice a noise coming from the passenger/front side of my car when I go over small or large bumps in the road. My question is, are there any common problems that can cause clanking noises on 01 Maximas? I have bounced my car up and down while stopped to see if maybe it was the suspension, but the noise wasn't present on the outside. I can only hear it on the inside. Are there any components that typically come loose and clank on these models? I just don't know where to start. I'm tying to sell this car and I don't want this noise to be the deciding factor for a potential buyer. Any ideas would help. Thanks

 

strut blown....

 

Poke around underneath and make sure every bolt you can reach is tight.

 

people that start a thread before trying to isolate and find the problem themselves....

 

SunDown13X - do NOT hijack another member's thread like this or you will earn yourself a vacation.

 

90 % it's your sway bar links. Grab your sway bar by the link area and wiggle it up and down. If you feel any slight play replace it. Oh and you need heat on those nuts and watch out not to burn the boot. Real close. (you can cover CV boot with a wet rag)

 

blown strut, dont replace everything but the strut, i did and it was costly, replace strut, problem solved

 

 

Go with NisTech on this and at least check the stab. bar end links FIRST. I replaced my end links just a couple of months ago after having a reasonably loud tap/knock coming from the front end of my relatively low mileage '00. It was actually most noticeable on a relatively smooth road. It takes very little wear of the stab. bar end link's ball socket to generate quite a loud sound. I had also on initial checking of the end links missed the one worn one. I only found it on further troubleshooting after I just happened to disconnect the opposite side link from the LCA and started jerking (with considerable force), that end of the stab. bar, up and down. Check the easy stuff first!

 

It might be you're door panel that might be loose. I had that problem myself. Or can be the glove box a little loose, who knows. "Check it out".............

 

Thanks for the replys everyone. I'll check out all of those things. I first thought it was my glove box, because it sounded like it was coming from that area. I drove with the glove box open and held tight and I still heard the noise, so it wasn't that. I'm going to check out all the others mentioned so I can narrow it down.

 

I didn't know where to start to look for such a problem, that's why I posted this question. So, thanks to those who helped... and to those who didn't, oh well.

 

Also make sure your battery is tight in the bracket and that the radiator isn't moving around. They can sound like front end problems.

 

I can definitely hear it the most when I tuck my head down under the dash by the glove compartment. When I hit a bump on the passengers side, I can hear a thump or knock, but only once. Then I can hear it again if I go over another bump. It's not continous. Only shows up when I drive over an imperfection in the road.

 

front right strut on the 5th gen is notorious for going bad if it's OEM. It's never the left, always the right......

 

Please tell me you are not driving when your head is under the dash by the glove compartment.......

 

Oh yeah, I'm always driving with my head under the dash. Just testing out my mad skills...

 

Wheel bearing?

 

The front wheel bearings are new. I'm almost sure it's a blown strut.

 

Right... as in the passenger side, correct?

 

check your strut boots, the factory ones are go bad after a while i used kyb they are pretty good! thats was causing the noise in my car

 

Truth.

I have a 2001 SE AE and it came with the Front Suspension Clunk as part of the standard equipment.

I recently replaced my struts myself, using Monroe Sensatracs from rockauto.com and surprise, the clunk is GONE.

The other suggestion to check the sway bar end links is good advice. It is free, easy, and quick to do. Check 'em.

-AJ