klunking noises are back
08-20-2010, 04:32 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 195
klunking noises are back
Front drivers side is "producing" some klunking noises.
They appear when it's hot outside and get worse when turning right.
At first i though that it was related to the suspension, since the original endured 119,xxx miles. So i changed it, and it was fine for about 4 days.
What do you guys think might be the issue?
Ball joints, tie rods or sway bar bushings?
I`m leaning towards an idea of sway bar bushings since it only happens when outside temps hit 90+....
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance
They appear when it's hot outside and get worse when turning right.
At first i though that it was related to the suspension, since the original endured 119,xxx miles. So i changed it, and it was fine for about 4 days.
What do you guys think might be the issue?
Ball joints, tie rods or sway bar bushings?
I`m leaning towards an idea of sway bar bushings since it only happens when outside temps hit 90+....
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance
08-24-2010, 06:24 AM
#7
Do a search Yogi! 
There's ALOT of good info on diagnosing a bad motor mount vs. a bad strut.
It's hard to tell the differences in most circumstances, but there ARE more obvious signs to the motor mount going south....
Lots of good info on this topic to be SEARCHED!!
gr
There's ALOT of good info on diagnosing a bad motor mount vs. a bad strut.
It's hard to tell the differences in most circumstances, but there ARE more obvious signs to the motor mount going south....
Lots of good info on this topic to be SEARCHED!!
gr
08-24-2010, 01:23 PM
#8
Interesting, I've had an on and off knocking sound that I figured was the anti-roll bar d-bushings. However, when starting the car, I can hear it for a few seconds too so a motor mount problem makes sense.
08-25-2010, 04:17 AM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 195
I took a look at the mount yesterday and it looks fine, I tried to push down on the manifold just to verify that mount is making noise bo to no avail - silence again.
Then i pushed on the driver side fender couple time - and boom - clunking again.
It seems that the noises are coming from somewhere around the firewall, very close to the wheel.
The biggest mystery for me is that when i changed my suspension, the noises went away for about 4 days...hence why i thought that the issue might be with ball joints, tie rods or sway bar bushings...
Anyway i will be taking "closer" look it this weekend.
08-25-2010, 09:45 AM
#12
Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Northern California
Posts: 158
Suspension Replaced?
Are you referring to new struts and strut mounts?
I just replaced all my original struts (211,000 miles!) and that fixed a major klunk coming from the right front strut. It had some type of internal damage but still had gas pressure. After putting new struts on I discovered another less obvious klunk coming from the right front suspension. It was the inner tie rod, replacing it cured almost all of the noise from the front of the car. I still have one small occasional klunk coming from the front left side and suspect another tie rod.
If you have ramps I would suggest getting the car up on them and have someone gently rock the steering while you watch the tie rods and lower ball joints for play. It's hard to diagnose suspension problems when the wheels are off the ground so use the ramps if you have them.
You can eliminate the sway bar by simply detaching the link on that side and drive the car. If the noise goes away it's the sway bar.
Nissan has a recall for the transverse link (lower control arm) on 2002 models and that could be something to check too.
I just replaced all my original struts (211,000 miles!) and that fixed a major klunk coming from the right front strut. It had some type of internal damage but still had gas pressure. After putting new struts on I discovered another less obvious klunk coming from the right front suspension. It was the inner tie rod, replacing it cured almost all of the noise from the front of the car. I still have one small occasional klunk coming from the front left side and suspect another tie rod.
If you have ramps I would suggest getting the car up on them and have someone gently rock the steering while you watch the tie rods and lower ball joints for play. It's hard to diagnose suspension problems when the wheels are off the ground so use the ramps if you have them.
You can eliminate the sway bar by simply detaching the link on that side and drive the car. If the noise goes away it's the sway bar.
Nissan has a recall for the transverse link (lower control arm) on 2002 models and that could be something to check too.
08-28-2010, 05:29 AM
#14
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 82
Ive had a loud clunking noise in the front right side of my car and it's been pissin me off for the last yr & a half
Ive changed lower control arms, staba bushings,rods,struts, springs ,everything but the engine mounts the car is a 2003 so i figured i would changed these parts anyway
after changing them i still had the noise and it was making a simple drive to even the grocery painfull cause i live in queens and anybody who lives here too will know that the road is f*@#$% up but anyway i have a friend who works @ nissan who came to change my valve covers and i described the problen and he told me that they see that problem almost every week and to change the passenger side motor mount. low and behold i did it and the noise was gone i now find reasons to drive my 03.........
Ive changed lower control arms, staba bushings,rods,struts, springs ,everything but the engine mounts the car is a 2003 so i figured i would changed these parts anyway
after changing them i still had the noise and it was making a simple drive to even the grocery painfull cause i live in queens and anybody who lives here too will know that the road is f*@#$% up but anyway i have a friend who works @ nissan who came to change my valve covers and i described the problen and he told me that they see that problem almost every week and to change the passenger side motor mount. low and behold i did it and the noise was gone i now find reasons to drive my 03.........
08-29-2010, 01:53 PM
#17
I went to Honda tech today and because of the amount of cars there and the small bumps in the road it was a LOT of stop and go and turning......I hear almost like an " old door" sound coming from the car when I turn the wheel ...sounds like the right side.. its driving me NUTS
......from what Im reading here it seems like maybe the motor mount might be the issue...could I look at it and tell if its bad ..would I notice it when turning?
...and a friend said to get the " full" motor mounts that dont have much space on either side like the stock ones..he recommended the brand "Energy Suspension "
......from what Im reading here it seems like maybe the motor mount might be the issue...could I look at it and tell if its bad ..would I notice it when turning?
...and a friend said to get the " full" motor mounts that dont have much space on either side like the stock ones..he recommended the brand "Energy Suspension "
08-29-2010, 01:58 PM
#18
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: N.Y City
Posts: 37
I would see if there is any play with ball joints first, if so you can replace the lower control arm. If not...try Sway brushing...motor-mounts...and possibly bump stops. Maxterror is right Energy Suspension does make some good stuff.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sctludwig
3rd Generation Maxima (1989-1994)
8
09-01-2022 01:32 PM
Maxima30
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
2
09-07-2015 06:13 PM
Justin Kroll
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
7
09-02-2015 11:06 AM