Ok so I get in the Max two days ago and I start hearing this noise that sounds something like putting a playing card in the spokes of a bicycle. The odd thing is that it happens when driving straight, turning right but when turning left it goes away. Could this be CV joint or axle? I'm steering away from wheel bearings but I will roll the dice either way and let the damn dealership fix it. I just want to know what it is before I walk in to get robbed. I'm well within warranty so I'm not overly concerned but they always try to pull some crap.

 

Do a quick check of the little flaps, in front of the rear wheels. Had the exact same sound, but only when turning right into a 45 degree incline (driveway). One of the bolt holes holding that little flap broke somehow and it was hitting the tire when the body would flex due to the turn into that elevated driveway.

Might not even be it, but you never know. Thought my strut was toast, for 2 weeks.

 

I had something like that and it is gone now that I had the rotors turned.

 

Like Strontium said, check the splash guard in the front-side of each front wheel well because I've seen this too but not when just going straight. If it is the CV axle be prepared to get shafted at the dealership because the cost of a new CV joint is ~$500 plus whatever labor is. I had a blown boot on my front right inner CV joint and they said they would probably replace the boot for $270 unless the joint was bad. If it is clicking then it is bad. You can look to see if your boots are blown. I think you get a better view from the backside of the tire.

I just replaced my CV axle today after getting a rebuilt one from the local autoparts store. It is not very complicated but requires a few heavy duty tools to get some of the large nuts/bolts loose. A new 24" breaker bar did it for me but I didn't have much rust or anything to make it harder. I hope this one lasts longer.

Good luck.

 

Wow .. I will check the mudflaps tomorrow. As far as the CV joint and axle, that should be covered under warranty correct? I would hate to get any angrier with Nissan service, if that is even possible at this point.
Will update after I check the flaps.

 

If your car is under 60k it might be covered. hopefully your dealer's service department is cool but if it is a CV joint and the boot is split, they might claim that it was damage caused by road debris or whatever and then the might not cover it.

btw, the splash guard is on the inside of the wheel well between the engine and the tire.

Good luck and let us know.

 

Ok i took a look at the splash guard today and they both seem kind of loose, however the side with the noise was missing a plug so I stole one from the lip guard under the bumper. The noise is still there though. I also looked at all the boots and they look like they're in good shape. I'm hesitant to take it to the local dealer though because I don't like them and they hate me. Besides they just suck. Will roll the dice with another service department and see how I make out.

I'm curious as to what this could be if the noise goes away when turning left and if I hit a bump while turning it sounds like something is scraping but there are no signs of scraping anywhere in the wheel well.