Hello everyone, I have an '00 Maxima A/T with 228,000 miles. In the last 2 years, it has gotten all 4 motor/trans mounts, inner and outer tie rods, lower control arms, sway bar bushings, and sway bar end links. Front tires are new and were just balanced. Recently in the last few weeks, I have noticed a pop/clunk coming from the general vicinity of the front drivers side area, and for the most part, it only happens at slow speeds like in parking lots when I'm turning and I get on the gas, however it will occasionally happen when I'm going around 35 and I floor it. It almost sounds like something is binding, and I can feel it in the floor.

I have looked and felt around under there, and the stuff I replaced is all tight. I did a little snooping on the forum and I'm suspect of the strut bushing mainly because I have no idea how old the strut assemblies are or how many miles are on them, but I'm not entirely sure how to single that out without taking the strut assembly apart. Maybe there's something else I should be checking that I'm missing.

I have drawn this beautiful illustration of my car in a parking lot to try and explain when the noise happens. It happens between points 2 and 3 when I get on the gas.

Thank you guys for your help.

 

Sounds like a strut thing. Does it happen if you turn the wheel full lock and drive around in a circle, maybe over a few small bumps, just enough to make the front end bounce a tad?

 

I haven't tried that yet, no. Perhaps tomorrow night I will try to find an empty parking lot to try that in.

 

Mine does that on left turn full lock. But I don't care. It only happens then, and I'm only making a slow U-turn at full lock, not speeding down the highway.

I'd pull the wheel and take a good look at the strut.

 

Ok, I will do that first thing tomorrow and let you know if I see anything. Thanks!

 

Take pics and post em.

 

I think it's your driver-side CV axle.

 

How would I go about further testing the axles other than the parking lot test? I haven't been able to hear clicking when I turn, but I notice if I'm on flat ground, and I switch from drive to reverse and back, I hear clicks then but I figured that was normal. How many miles do these axles usually last? I have service records from the beginning of the cars life (2 owner) and the axles seem to be original.

 

Agreed. Old car.

The lash you are feeling and hearing in and out of gear is an indication of worn joints. Pop a new driver axle in. They're like, $50 bux.

 

I should also mention, there seems to be a tad more vibration in the steering wheel on the highway now which to my knowledge could be indicative of worn axles too. I'll still update you guys tomorrow and send pictures.

 

Not necessary. maxiiiboy already figured it out. Time for a new axle.

 

What about considering the gas inside the shock? Maybe the shocks inner piston is leaking the gas inside the other chamber.
I had a pop/clunk after a drive shaft removal/install, I let the car sit for a week or two and it went away.

 

Check the Brakes.. An often over looked issue is the Caliper bracket which over time can become worn, not holding the pad in place under the brake load when going from reverse to drive. The sound is often a pop or Loud metal clank. I don't mean a side to side movement in the pad, But a few thousandths movement up and down in the bracket under brake pressure slams the pad against it. Equivalent to running pads with no hardware. jack up the car and check the suspension.

 

Sounds like either an axle or Strut mount to me!