Sorry about that first post, I had some troubles with my computer and it must not have completed the post. So here I go again.

I have a ’98 i30 and have a mysterious noise in my front end. When ever I drive on rough or smooth road I have a noise that sounds like something in the front end suspension is loose. I am not sure if it is drive train or suspension related.

Can anyone tell me if they have had the same problem or not? I am very interested in getting this fixed so that the noise goes away.

I am going to be putting on an Eibach spring kit in April and was also wondering what else I should replace while I have it apart. I know I will get some help from this forum because I have used several other posts to help me out. Please help with anything that you can.

 

Your noise description is very vague and could be anything by the way you describe it.

As far as doing the springs, you could replace the factory coil isolators, strut bearings, and strut mounts. It kinda depends how many miles you have and the condition of the suspension once you have it apart. All those things may be in fine shape.

Are you planning on replacing the struts as well.

 

I know i just found one of those "mysterious noises"...i had a rattling sound every time i excellerated....turns out a ring of metal near the flex joint of the y-pipe had corroded and broken free and was rattling around making a bunch of noise....i cut it off.....no more noise!!

I think everyone should hoist they're cars up and check for this....it's probably common!

 

It's not a strange noise but I have a question and seek an answer. Everytime I push the brake pedal, I observe that the engine kinda roars (or rather the idling raises tempo) and then it calms down to the normal idling. Is this normal in I30's? Or is it any indication of malfunctioning?!?

I've been using Plus grade gas, does this affect the idling? I shall be trying Shell premium next time.

Thanks.

1998 I30 - 97k miles.

 

I know that the noise could be anithing, but do you have any suggestions on what to look for?

Could you also recommend some Makes and Models of the things you mentioned to replace? My car has 76000 miles on it. I know that the boots on the struts are not any good because I can see the piston.

I thought that I had better replace the struts while I had it apart, so I am looking into getting KYB G2 struts to put in. Are they any good?

Thanks for your input.

 

If you can see the piston on the strut, then dirt and rocks can destroy the seal on the strut and you might possibly have a blown strut. Is it a banging noise, or is it more of a creaking noise?

 

like I said, could be many things. Blown strut is a good place to start.

The strut bearings, mounts, and coil isolators are just stock replacement parts. I have the KYB GR-2 & EIbachs and I am fairly happy with the set up. If you do lower your car go with a set of KYB dust boots as well, they will give you an extra inch of wheel travel.

 

for the guy with the RPM increase when he brakes: Might be one of 2 things or both.

when you slow down your car may upshift to a higher gear which will raise your RPMs

an/or your throttle position sensor might be a little wacky. A good symptom of this is when you almost come to a stop your transmission will jerk a little.

sounds like there's nothing wrong with your car.

 

It is more of a banging noise that a creaking. That could be it, huh? I guess I will have to wait and see if my Eibach spring and strut install solves this mysterious noise then. I will keep you posted when I get it done.

 

Thanks Paredline for your message. I hope I expressed my concern properly. It may or may not have sthg to do with the either of the things that you suggested. In the first case, the increase in RPM is not at all noticable, and in the second case, the transmission doesn't give a jerk. When I come close to a stop, I hear little audible increase in the engine RPM (just like the way one can feel when we hold the clutch and hit the gas pedal in stickshift cars) and it calms down in 3 to 5 seconds. Apparently, the engine is shifting into the 1st gear but sthg (equivalent to clutch) is also acting at the same time I suppose. Did I give the correct explanation of what's happening? Is it really a concern to be concerned of?

 

**Please note, this is a long post..couldn't fit it into 1 paragrah.**

Hey Ckitzmann,

We "may" have the exact same or similar problem. I have a 2000 Maxima SE with about 71,000kms on the odometer. My noise comes from the front passenger side of the vehicle and sounds like it's from the bottom of the front suspension area. Your sound comes from even the slightest uneven road and it's like something metal fluttering/hitting each other right? Makes you believe it's like a suspension/strut issue...

I've also posted 2 threads on the .Org, did my own research, brought my Max to 2 Nissan dealers and a independent mechanic... and my problem still persists (since Nov'03). The NIssan dealers and mechanic stated that it's 80-90% probability that it's a strut issue. Upon inspection of strut, it looks fine, no dirt/leaks. I've compressed the front shocks my leaning my body weight onto the chassis to create suspension movement (up & down movement), but i can't re-create any noise using this method.

Most of my research on the .Org pinpointed the issue to a bad strut bearing (but i never had grinding noises when wheels were turning) and also that the noise could be emitted from warn bushings on the stabalizer bar. I have since replaced my passenger front strut bearing and both bushing on stabilizer bar. Nothing helped.

I couldn't find my previous posts and I can't seach either. Else, I would have added a link here for you to see. Have you tried to see if this re-creates another noise, which could be related. With the car started and stationary, have your car in "N" (Neutral). Then with the steering wheel in centre position, quickly turn the wheel left/right (from centre) and keep doing it and see if it makes a "knocking" noise. I can recreate this noise 80% of the time..

I've also decided that (like yourself).. that it's about time for a set of aftermarket shocks and springs (Illuminas and H&Rs) and 'hopefully' this will change my fortunes...

Maxima0002

 

my dad's 02 I35 has the same problem. we went back to the dealer 2 times and replaced the shocks and struts. We had the car up on the machine and checked the whole front end. The sound is still there.. its like a knocking sound no matter if you are going straight/turning as long as you are hitting a few "small" bumps. we are thinking if there might be something lose in the bottom of the steering rod. I guess this problem is pretty common after a few k miles.

 

Hey Sanf38,

so even after the strut/spring replacement, the sound is still there!? The dealer never sourced the sound?

Thanks..maxima0002

 

i have a sound coming on my i35 from the front passanger side.. it sounds like something is rubbing when i accelerate.. this sound only happens when i accelerate harder than you wouldnt normally, but not hard enough as if im flooring it

 

maxima0002,

No luck at all. The I35 was up on a machine that the mechanic has to be signed off to use it. It's used to test out sound/vibrations on parts of the car. Everything came to spec. I think I will take a look at the lining of the exhaust pipe from head to toe. It does sound like knocking of metal to metal sometimes. If that doesnt work. I would focus on the steering rod next.

 

Thanks for the reply sanf38..
If it makes any difference, I felt something hit the front of the floor board on the passenger side when I sitting there, I'm not sure if that's directly related to the knocking sound we're hearing..

I haven't have a chance to prop up the vehicle, but I'll be taking a look along that area from underneath when I get a chance too.

If you can, keep us posted... I will as well.

Take care,
maxima0002

 

arite...jacked up the car. checked almost every bolts where my hands could reach. I didn't notice any lose section at all. I am kinda busy lately, so i won't making an appointment with the dealer for the steering rod check anytime soon. I don't think this is a safety issue at all. So I guess it is ok for now.

 

The only reason I ask that, is because I did an H&R Springs, KYB/AGX swap on my suspension...within two months, I developed a banging noise in my left rear suspension. It turned out it was a blown strut. I didn't install the dust boots correctly, and the metal shaft was showing. I think in that short amount of time, it could possibly destroy the strut.

 

hood could be loose on the two front rubberpads. mine was
they screw out to tighten the hood

also the grill was loose about 6 little bolts

 

hey guys.. check out the above post. Possible solution to our problems.. the WHEEL bearing..

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....79#post2812079

maxima0002

 

Hey everyone,

to my amazement, I found the source of the noise....it was my front Passenger side strut. When you turn the steering wheel with quick motions from left to right (turning the wheel +/- 15 degrees from dead center), you can actually see (with a flashlight) the strut turning and the spring coiling up and makes this 'knock/pop' sound. I had my hand on the spring while the steering wheel was turned, you can totally feel the spring wind (I don't know the proper term) and would make a popping sound and I believe my problems over uneven roads and bumps are caused by this strut/spring.

Anyone know why this would occur? I haven't done any changes to my suspension except for the FSTB.

maxima0002

 

maxima0002-

This can be caused if the spring is not properly "clocked" or "seated" in is perch on the strut.

I am experiencing a chattering noise over bumps as well. It almost sounds as if the spring and the strut seperate over bumps, then make noise as they come back together.

I need to do a little more exploring, but that is what is sounds like. I know that that is not the true culprit, but that is the easiest way to explain the noise and when it happens.