About a month ago I started noticing what sounded like tire noise on my 2000 GXE with 189K. After doing some research, I thought it might be the wheel bearing too. So today, I raised up the front end, and put my hands at 12 and 6 o clock on the wheel, and tried to feel for any play, and there was none. Last night, I rotated the tires, and the sound is still the same. One thing I did notice on the tires, is that one of them has a bulge in it. Not a huge bulge, but a bulge nonetheless. I plan on replacing this tire tomorrow. However, after rotating the tires last night and driving around today, I didnt notice any change in the noise. It didnt seem to move from front to back, with the bulged tire. Another thing I noticed on the tires, is that they all seem to have a low spot in the middle. If I were to put a straight edge across the tread, there would be a slight low spot in the middle. So, it appears that these tires were overinflated for a significant amount of time. Some info on the tires: they are Goodyear Viva Authority, sold at Wal-Mart (I didnt buy these, they came with the car). Seeing as how this all started about a month ago, I was trying to think of anything that happened at that time, and it did get very hot outside around that time, and that lasted for a few weeks at least. Not sure if that would have any effect at all. Does this indeed sound like tires, or something else?

 

That's probably your problem right there. Most cheaper tires tend to get noisy as they wear. Also, the bubble in the tire means that a belt has failed, and the structural integrity of the tire is compromised. Get new tires.

 

Sounds like the tires are old, the rubber has gone hard and as you mentioned they all are showing an overinflation wear problem.

Check how old they are: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11

If they are 5 years old or more it`s likely time for a complete change.

 

Thanks for that link. My tires were produced in the 25th week of 2009, so they are three years old. I am thinking I will replace two of them today with Cooper tires. I have had Cooper tires on previous cars and have been happy with them. If this doesnt quiet the noise down, I will start to look elsewhere.

 

Replaced 2 tires, the one with the bulge, and one that was slightly out of round. Noise is still there, so I will need to keep looking for the source. Any other ideas? Rear tires are still the Goodyear Viva Authority, but it seems that the sound is coming from the front to me.

 

Noises can be deceiving. It may sound like it's coming from one area, when it could be coming from another. Another possibility could be a wheel bearing.

What kind of shape are the other two tires in that you didn't replace?

 

Do you know anybody with a maxima or Ford that you could "borrow" a pair of tires, put them on your car and do a test drive?

 

That sounds like a good idea... Do a wheel swap with another Maxima and take it for a drive.

 

The tires I didnt replace are in good shape, probably 75% of tread left. Neither one of them has a bulge. I am starting to think it might be a wheel bearing, although I did try to shake the wheel with it jacked up off the ground, and there was no play. When I had the car jacked up off the ground, I also spun the tire, and it did make some noise, but I figured it was just the brakes slightly dragging on the rotor. Both front tires made this same noise. Is this normal, or should it be silent when you spin the wheel?

 

I wish I did, but I do not.

 

I took a guy from work who is good with cars for a ride last night and he thinks it is my right front wheel bearing. I'll probably call a local Nissan dealer tomorrow and see what they charge for this. Just glad its nothing too serious. I plan to keep this car for at least another year before upgrading to a 7th gen.

 

Quick question, does the noise sound like grinding squeaky?

 

A better description of the noise would help us diagnose it. Have you done work on your axles recently? Do you hear the noise only when turning? Is your car automatic or manual? And does the sound increase in pitch or volume when you speed up?


Posted from Maxima.org App for Android

 

Also if it turns out to be a hub, you can get a whole new hub with the bearing pre installed for less than $40 on eBay. It slides right on to the end of the axle.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...d=221051387164




Posted from Maxima.org App for Android

 

I'd say if you're not absolutely sure what the problem is, invest a little & take it to a shop to get diagnosed. Eliminate the guesswork.

You should probably do it fairly soon, before you ruin your new tires.

 

I wouldnt say the noise sounds like "grinding squeaky". The pitch of the noise does increase as the speed does. I havent done any work on the axles since I bought the car. I hear the sound all the time, not only when turning. I have an appointment with the local Nissan dealer tomorrow to diagnose the problem. I do have a question regarding the wheel bearings. Would it be cheaper to buy the wheel bearing and hub assembly, and swap out the entire unit, or would it be more wise to press the old bearing out of the hub, and press in a new one? I understand the entire assembly would cost more, but would it save money in labor?

 

Can you do me a favor and post what they tell you. Not meaning to hijack the thread or anything but you may have my problems.

 

Absolutely. I will update the thread tomorrow.

 

A good way to confirm bad bearings is to listen carefully to the car when driving at somewhat highway speeds in a turn. Radio off, windows closed etc.

If you are turning left and the sound increases, then the bad bearing is on the right side.
If you are turning right and the sound increases, then the bad bearing is on the left side.

Now, to differentiate between the front and back is harder. Most of the time its usually the front bearings that go bad 1st. Another way to tell is if the sound changes as you turn the steering. If the sound change is directly related to steering angle, then the bad bearing is in the front.

Hope this helps.

DW

 

Brought the car into the Nissan dealer today, and they did confirm it is the wheel bearings. Right side is the worst, but they both make noise, which I confirmed myself.

 

Thank you so much. As I was thinking it was. I slightly hear my driver side because my passenger side is grinding. Thank you