Hello everyone. 1st time poster/longtime lurker for help with topics/repairs on my 04' Maxima. I've noticed as of recently my car will make clicking/popping noises from the drivers side/left rear while braking (depending on how hard I am braking and speed has also seemed to be a factor). I had to change my rear brakes/rotors last weekend and while working on my car I noticed what may be my culprit, however, am not quite sure what exactly it is I'm looking at. I can say that if I'm driving at highway speeds 60-80 and need to suddenly brake my car will click/pop and also appears to sway from side to side. Suggestions as to what part/piece this is? How difficult of a repair? How dangerous is this to keep driving my car as-is?

see below for pics. Thanks in advance on advice!

http://imgur.com/a/WsNe9#0

 

You might have a problem with your front subframe. Looks cracked.

 

This is on my rear left side though. Is that still the front subframe? How difficult of a repair/how much $$? Is it dangerous to keep driving as is?

 

Don't know what this part is called, but I can tell you what it does. That rod keeps your wheel from moving forward or backwards under accel/deceleration. The mounting that is attached to (obviously) has split and is allowing your wheel to shift back and forth. I would get this fixed quickly. Broken suspension components are nothing to mess around with as they affect the stability, performance and most importantly the safety of your car. The dealer or a reputable body shop should be able to take care of this for you. Not knowing how difficult this part is to get to makes it tough to tell you how much it will cost to fix, but I wouldn't be surprised if this were a $500+ job at best.

 

I appreciate the input. Do you think a fix could be easy as somehow welding something onto the broken piece to help hold it together? Any additional input regarding this issue would be greatly appreciated. In the meantime I am continuing to drive it as-is and have just been taking my braking a little easier and trying to avoid any sudden stops

 

Looks like you need #55400. Don't leave it like that it needs to get replaced asap.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/maxima-...2754_2758.html

 

Figured I'd check back in with an update. After checking with a local mechanic I was told it looked to be the subframe that was cracked. I took it up to my local dealership to verify and they confirmed indeed that it was my subframe that was cracked and it actually was under an extended warranty! Taking it in this Wednesday to get it taken care of! Thanks for the replies and input!

 

Good news then. I remember that recall vaguely. It was to do with premature corrosion on the rear subframe. They had a recall out for it and replaced them entirely. Glad that worked out for you.