I have a 2002 Maxima SE with just over 101,xxx miles. Its not all the time but on certain days its more pronounced.

when I turn the steering wheel like if I have it turned all the way to the right there will be no sound like there is nothing wrong.

But once I turn it to the left there is a grinding and a vibration that I can feel through the steering column.

I put the car on jack stands earlier today and have my girl start the car and let the clutch out in first gear so the wheels are moving and have her turn it from side to side with me under the car I did not hear anything but I did notice that the axle on the passenger looks like it might be slightly bent or something.

was wondering if someone has heard/had this problem before and what the solution would be?

new axle? cv joints? possible bearings? Help! lol. but none the less the car is still driveable just the feeling and the noise is annoying and hope it doesnt cause future problems.

Thanks Org.

 

I'd start with the axle. If not, then possible bad rack.

Was it hit on that side? We are going to need the history on the car.

 

jack it up and look at the cv boots

 

jacked it up and the cv boots look fine.

it has never been in a wreck I am the second owner and know the previous owner well. so I guess we can rule that out. it started id say maybe a month or so give or take, ive had the car since december.

anyway to tell if the axle is bad?

 

More than likely the axle/cv joint. I've gone thru 2 passenger side axles, and need a drivers side one now. It more than likely needs a load on it to make the noise, so jacking it up won't produce the sound. If it's a drivers side, contact Marty at Raxles. If it's a passenger side, depending on your transmission, good luck. Either junkyards or hating yourself as you walk to the dealership.

If you can hear the noise now and it is still driveable, confirm the problem and order parts ASAP. I drove my passenger side axle to the point where it wasn't one anymore, and it's not worth the risk.

 

yeah it only makes a sound when there is a load on it. but while it was up I looked at the passenger side axle and it looked out of balance like it could be bent.

also I started the car up this morning and went my merry way to work and there was no noise or grinding,slapping,popping, or anything. this perplexes me, one day its there another day it isn't.

 

i feel it knocking/vibrating through the steering rack....tie rods? i think I read that someone...anyone else have this problem? any way to check to see if they are bad?

 

I know when the splash guards come loose they can rub up on the axle making a noise, but I think your situation seems a little more severe. Definitely sounds like an axle-related problem.

And just some advice: never get under a car when it's running, and especially in gear. Bad things can happen. lol

 

lol yes I know stupidity on my part but I made sure I had it on jack stands and on jack lifts and the e brake fully engaged as well as the wheels chocked. I just dont want to have to take it to the stealership and pay and arm and maybe a genital just to have them look at it then pay them to fix it.

 

If the problem occurs only when you turn the wheel all the way to the left, that means it happens at low speeds and it's most likely not the tie rods. If not, then to check them, jack the car up and put your hands at the 9 and 3 o' clock positions and shake back and forth. Check for excessive play. The outer tie rod ends are visible but most of the time the inners are the ones to go bad.

 

well I only notice it at low speeds. i guess ill just get some new axles...any idea where I can get some NEW ones and not remanufactured ones? ive been looking some up and have found some under 100 bucks but not sure if they are new or not.

 

i had these symptoms last year...was a bad rear motor mount...now im getting it again so i assume its the front mount

even if its expensive, take it to a nissan service department. they will tell you exactly whats wrong with it so you arent replacing stuff that isnt the problem. then get the work done somewhere else.

 

my dad and I have no problem with installing these parts by myself I just need to find out the exact problem...do you think that nissan would charge me to pinpoint the problem? I know a guy in the local racing scene here in corpus that works at the nissan dealership here so ill try and get in touch with him.

 

hey denny i think it is the ball joint at the end of the tie rod o both ends.

the ends closest to the tire.

they usually go out around the mileage u have on your maxipad

 

well might as well change out everything haha...will pick up some tie rods and ball joints. ugh this is annoying

 

It's either a axle or a wheel bearing. When I had the same issue it was my wheel bearing. You should be able to pick up a axle from auto zone for less then $100 new. I just got one for my 6mt for $65 bucks. Actually the reman is $80
Anyway. If you get both the axle and wheel bearing it should be less than $100 together. I think the bearing is around $35 bucks.

 

are you sure its a new one? cuz ive heard that auto zone says its new but its actually remanned...

 

No, they have a remanned and then a new. I think they are pretty much the same thing anyway. You get what you pay for ya know? I don't expect mine to last long but I refuse to spend almost $500 from Nissan. I'm just waiting on Raxles. You should check them out. TONS of people on the .org love them. He just hasn't finished the 6MT HLSD axle design yet. Not sure what you have but I know his prices cut Nissan in half and are MUCH MUCH better in quality.

 

i just emailed them and am going to call them tomorrow. i have the 6mt but I dont believe I have HLSD.

 

Do you have black rubber pedals or metal? I think the only one he has is the pass. side. When I talked to him (Marty) he said he was still working on the design for the drivers side. Let me know what he tells you.

 

I sure will man...idk what the pedals are since its night time...ill go grab a flashlight to check here in a minute.

what does the different pedals stand for?

 

just checked...rubber

 

Rubber means non HLSD.

 

ahh okay...and talked to marty they only have the driver side axle . im going to order it but he's asking 219...so imma have to scrounge around for some change haha

 

they are super strong too...

I asked him: "what if I dump the clutch at full throttle on slicks?"
His response: "u cant break them"

 

he is telling the truth. Even if you do break them, I think they have a lifetime warranty

 

Do you pay the $80 diag fee for that?

 

yeah lifetime warrenty wish he would hurry up and get the passenger side! guess imma fork out that dough but it would be a good enough reason expecially for boosting later on if they "cant break" warrenty ftmfw!