About a week ago, I noticed a very subtle droning sound while driving my 04 Max. It's hard to describe, but I do know that its coming from the rear of the vehicle and can be heard over 30mph. The faster the car is moving, the pitch of the sound increases (not high pitch though). When I let off the gas and coast, it can still be heard.

I spoke with a neighbor who knows a bit about cars. He mentioned it might be the wheel bearings that can prematurely wear out due to poor road conditions. Although I travel mostly highway in NJ, I cross over railroad tracks at least 2 times a day during my commute.

(I also had the rear subframe replaced which was recall work on the 04) I just wanted to hear some of your thoughts on what the noise could be.
I've got an appointment at Nissan set up for next week to get it checked out. Thanks in advance!

 

The wheel bearings are a "low" possibility. Jack the rear wheels up and spin them. Check for irregular/adnormal noises or play. You can have a brake shop check the wheel bearings for free (they of course will be hoping you'll buy something).

It is very easy to pick up debris that get stuck under your car. Check your tires for anything stuck in them. Check your rear flaps to make sure they are not loose. Tighten the screws in needed.

Best of luck!

 

Brake caliper stuck and pad is rubbing perhaps? When's the last time you had them serviced or lubed the sliders?

CM

 

Thanks for the advice! I'm kinda embarrassed that I didnt check the tires, flaps or underneath the car yet. Hopefully its one of those things I could take care of. Maybe the ice loosened up one of the flaps.
The weather has been pretty crappy in NJ the past week but I'll check today.

 

I had my max in for Scheduled Maintenance about 1.5 months ago. The service rep. mentioned that my brakes should be done soon. With 75,000 mi on the car, I only had the rotors resurfaced and pads replaced at 34,000 mi.

 

I am new so I can't start a thread yet.

I have a 2004 Maxima SE. Here's my issue, when I'm accelerating there's this little, metallic rattle as if something small is loose or as if something is hitting against a small steel plate. It comes from the front right side of the car and it only happens when I'm at ~2200-2500 rpm. It's difficult to hear unless I'm driving in a parking structure where I can hear it echo off the concrete walls. Has anyone come across this before?

Thanks!
~Jesse

 

I had the same exact issue, and I too could only hear it inside the parking garage at my job. Had it checked out and the result was the heat shield that had come loose. The dealer took care of it because it was under warranty so I really couldnt tell you what it looks like, where to find it, or how to fix it.

 

Exhaust leak/crack may cause a droning sound.

 

I can still hear it while I am coasting though. Don't hear it under 30mph.... still havent figured it out yet.

 

Theres also a bulletin on this for your max's. its for the front exhaust tube gussets(brackets) they crack and will cause an exhaust rattle. Check those as well

 

Thanks, I'll check that out real soon

 

Lund, is that some sort of canadian Max or what. J/K, seems you've mirrored your pic.

Anywayz, since I can't create a new post(or search for that matter, which should change by the way) either I guess I'l ask here. Brand new '07 SE, when backing up after moving forward I get a klunk when first applying the brakes (in reverse). Anyone ever get this and may know what it is. It's not really loud or that noticable, but I'm **** an notice all and it doesn't sound right. I basically do the same routine daily when pulling into the driveway, pull up passed the driveway, full stop, trany into reverse, begin moving then brake as I approach the apron of the driveway. As I brake, I get the single clunk, almost as if something that was moving forward has play and has now moved in the other direction. Any thoughts?

 

Hehehe good eye. I mirrored my pic to have the background fit. I coulda just as well mirrored the background instead but I think that a "British" version of the Maxima looks kinda funky. LoL

 

Since I still am a few posts away from starting a thread I figured I'd add to this one where I've already staged my case.

Going back a 2 posts I stated that I was getting a clunk when changing direction of travel at slower speeds. Well i pulled the wheels off this weekend and found out the cause. Front pass side caliper. The pad seems to be moving within the unit, and the outermost caliper assembly ( the par that the pads reat in) also seems to have a little bit of play. I was actually able to wiggle it unlike the other side that i first checked which was very tight. There were also signs of scratching or wear as well on the back of the pad that faces out. About 1/2" profile of the caliper assembly that indicates the movement. I then checked everything for tighness, which it was but was able to move the pad in the assemby which doesn't seem right.

Called dealer this AM and they said they would look at it tomorrow am with me there still. i told them I new what was wrong and that I didn't want to drop off for the day if they were gonna have to take it back again to do the work. Seemed pretty good about it, said hed write it up as vibrating brakes and go from there.

So has anyone ever heard this before? Sorry long winded as well as the hi-jacking of this thread.

 

I had a strange noice coming from the rear of my Z. Seem that I picked up a very small stone that got stuck between the rotor and the shield. Took the rotor off, the stone fell out...no more noise. I could not believe that something so small could make that much noise

good luck

 

sounds like exhaust to me, or rear brakes

 

Thanks for the responses! I was able to jack up the rear and check things out. I spun the left rear wheel around a bit and noticed that the brake pad rubs the rotor on a certain spot. My conclusion, rotor is warped. Time for new pads and rotors all the way around. Now to find that group deal thread for pads and rotors....

 

No but easily possible. The clips that center the front pads are not that strong. The pads also have a clip that puts a little pressure on the caliper to slightly push the pad away from the rotor. If one of the clip is twisted, breaks off or not installed properly, it could cause what you describe.

And welcome to the twilight zone.

 

So I went to the stealership yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. They were extremely nice, and when they pulled my car in I asked to talk to the tech. Gave him a quick run down of the issue and asked to come back with him. He said he'd pull it in, and pull the wheels off. Sure enough within minutes he came out to get me. We looked a tthe caliper, I told him more in detail my thoughts and he gave me the option of first taking apart, checking and lubing the back of the shims(pads). Stated that nothing seemed wrong and that he's seen it before. So I opted to have him lube them up and rebuild. He said we should try this and go from there. If it still acts up then he would change everything out no problem. I was amazed at his interest in helping me. In anycase, I denied the free wash as I had to get back to work. The issue is still there, but not as much now(only been a day) and I know it's nothing bad, rather than just my mind singling it out. I'll monitor and go from there. But all in all, my first dealership experience in a while went pretty good. Two thumbs up to Openroad Nissan in Morristown, NJ.