This "air release" sound that everyone is wondering about when going over bumps is most likely just your damper(shock) compressing quickly, that is what they sound like. Fluid rushing quickly through little holes inside of a damper will sound very similar to air escaping through a small opening. Driving over a steep speed bump at low speed would be the best way to reproduce this sound without too much other noise interfering.

 

I figured it was the shocks but I just wanted to be safe. Thanks for the info

 

Sweet!...I now know why my brand-new Maxima makes a "bump/knock" noise every time I drive over a medium-sized (or larger) bump in the road! I thought it was something in the trunk, but this thread helped me identify it. Time to go back to the dealer for more warranty work. I swear, this is the LAST time I buy a first-model-year car. Ugh.

 

I hope this is my problem but my bump is almost certainly sounding like it's in the front. I bought my Max within days of the coming out last June, so whatever issues I expect to get the worse of it.

My clunk has gotten so bad it happens not only going over bumps in the road, but even just turning from a stop. Gets worse and worse so I'm taking it in Monday. I had 3 people ride last week and say either, "What was that?" or "that didn't sound good." so it's not just me.

 

Hmm i think I may have felt this vibration the other night.

 

Looks like the TSB only applies to the 2009 model year, but I definitely get the squeak over large speed bumps or dips in the road. Anyone else experiencing this in their 2010?

 

There are two different noises the come from the suspension. If you drive with your windows down and go over speed bumps under 40mph, you'll hear this compressed air type noise (pff pff). That, according to my Nissan stealer is normal b/c Nissan puts valves on their struts that release air when you go over moderate-large size bumps, potholes, dips, etc. This must be a Nissan thing, b/c on my Infiniti, Acura, and other vehicles of the past, I've never heard that noise going over bumps so I don't know.

The other knocking/creaking/squeaking noise can be heard with the windows up. When I go over bumps, expansion joints, dips, pot holes, etc and even when turning the steering wheel from a stop to make a turn, I hear this knocking/creaking sound coming from the suspension which sounds as if something is loose or two things are rubbing together that shouldn't.