I know jack about cars but how to check the fluids. My 02 Maxima just started doing some weird ****. Occasionally when driving (normally at lower speeds in town), it starts some sort of weird squeal, it's medium pitched, seems to be based on the rotate of the tires (faster/slower on speed) and usually a knock underneath my car that I can feel on my gas pedals accompanies it. Normally adjusting my wheel to the left stops it for a bit...

Help me! Sorry for being such a ignorant idiot, should have been a mechanic!

 

This is not when turning either... it seems to be around city speeds 25-45 mph. I searched all over this sight and found a ton of information, but nothing conclusive... Any ideas on what to check first and how much the mechanic is going to ream me for?

 

Wheel bearing or axle?

 

If my CV boot still look good, intact, no grease on the inside of my wheel, would that rule out my axel? Again, I know nothing about cars... :P

 

Could be several things brakes, bearings, brakes splash shield rubbing!

 

Jack the car up...... grab wheel 12 and 6, If it has play Wheel bearing. check the ball joint aswell make sure it is in good rubbery condition(lol). If it is the wheel bearing I would be safe and change out both, or if you are tight on cash just do one, deal with the other one later.

if above checks out it could be several other things

you say the gas acts in correlation to the sound, as in the wheel spins faster the more you will hear the noise.??

Also are you hearing clunking over bumps or is it a consitant roar from the tire? the clunking and not so smooth ride could aslo be the strut, blown or bad struts can make noise as well. ( do the bounce test )

 

Yea, as the wheel spins faster so the sounds goes. I also noticed that as soon as I let off the gas the noise stops... meaning I have to be applying gas for the sound to happen. I will try to do the wheel test... what is the bounce test?

The clunking isn't on bumps, normally just driving down the road at city speeds... Again, holding the steering wheel and applying even the slightest pressure by turning it to the left stops the noise. :-/

 

Try this: http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ml#post6495751 (post#13)

 

My maxima has recently started doing the same thing. After I start the car, it will squeal for up to 10 seconds sometime in the first 2 minutes of driving it. It seems related to acceleration, as when I accelerate, the sound gets louder. Eventually after a few seconds it gets better. I researched other threads and believe it might be a belt issue. Either one of them is too loose, too tight, or is just worn out. I also think that it might also only occur when I have my A/C on.

 

This is definitely not a belt issue, I can tell the difference.

I took it into Firestone and he said it's the CV Joint. He said even though the boot is still in tact, its just wore out (130k miles). Wants to charge $400 to replace it, $150 in labor... I called O'Reilly's and they want $60 for the part (full CV assembly, pre-greased and everything). I'm just not sure if I can do it myself.

 

I just called the Firestone guy back and asked him... he said he checked the tie rods and lower control arm bushings and that the wheels have no play in them when they are free hanging. I'm just torn between it actually being the CV joint or possibly the wheel bearing... It doesn't make any small clicks when making sharp turns which is what makes me think its not the CV joints...

 

One more question, the howl sound also only seems to happen when applying throttle (pressing on the gas). As soon as I let off the gas, regardless of the weight of my car on the wheel, the noise stops...

 

you dont sound as n00bish as your letting on.....lol

 

I've just spent the last 4 hours googling and reading... it gives me a bit of knowledge... :P

Still need to determine CV joint from wheel bearing... any tips? There isn't play in the wheel when it's free hanging but I heard that it doesn't ALWAYS happen when the wheel bearing is bad.

 

i kinda had the same problem i would hear a sqeaking sound but only when i hit a bump.. It turned out to be my struts

 

The struts definitely squeak and can knock when going over bumps, but this is a howl from the tire, that when the steering wheel is adjusted slightly to the left (putting weight on right side) stops entirely.