A little background...

A couple of months ago I was driving regularly and I came to a stop at light, and the car just wouldnt go anywhere, the clutch had pressure and engaged properly, etc. So I took it in and they said the axle had come unbolted from the car (or something to that affect) and they tightened everything back up and it seemed fine, although it made a slight rubbing noise after that.

It seems like its getting progressively worse, it makes a low humming rubbing noise at low speed and you cant notice any noise at higher speed or during acceleration. When turning at low speed, the noise is louder and kind of has a pop to it. Last night when I went to come to a stop coming out of my friends apartment complex, the front of the car shook similar to if you were experiencing wheel hop.

Any ideas as to what could be the problem?

 

So....maybe you need a new axle?

 

you need a new axle...and while your at it check your motor mounts. If you motor mounts are bad, the axle isn't lined up properly with the hubs and that can cause excess wear on your axle joints, hubs, rotors, and will cause wheel hop.

the axles are actually super easy to replace...if you have an afternoon and a good set of sockets and wrenches you can do it yourself....only if you are somewhat handy with your Maxima!

 

also check your hubs for vertical play. Jack up the front of the car and spin the wheel, also push and pull(towards and away from the engine) on the top of the wheels to feel any "play". If you've got play, then you've got a bad hub.

as far as axles go, i like the remanufactured and new Cardone axles from Kragen.

 

yeah sounds like the axle is dead/dying

possibly the cv joint bearings have excessive clearance in the cage .

best to just get a whole new axle

 

I had noises coming from the front end and replaced my bearings and motor mounts.. and no more noises in the front end..

 

catalyst, did you ever figure out what your problem was? I seem to be having the exact problem you are having with my 01 AE also. Did you change your axle like everyone said and if so did it fix your noise and popping problem?

 

I had similar issues with my mirage 89. I had installed a remanufactured axle and the boot was a lot thicker and stiffer on the tranny side. When the axle was installed the boot was stretching and was pulling the cup out of the tranny. I had to change that boot for a thiner one.