hey guys. i have a 99 max. when i turn the wheel to the left, i hear a creaking sound sort of coming from the right wheel. it usually does this when it standing still and maybe when i just let go of the brake (its an automatic). do you guys think it might be a ball joint? also when i drive there s a little shimmy on the wheel. especially at low speeds. i m thinking that all this is coming from a ball joint. if u guys think it is how can i test a ball joint or whatever u guys think it might be. thanks in advance.

 

anybody???

 

bump.......

 

or can this be the bushings on the transverse link?

 

oh the creaking sound when you slightly let off of the brake some?

Owning a manual I dont experience this but, driving my mothers Pathefinder (auto) I hear that sound when slightly letting off of the brake and the car is trying to move forward. I assume the pads arent gripping as well as they should and the car is trying to break free from the pads. Solution how old are you brake pads?

 

no its not that i know what you re talking about. it s when i turn the wheel if lets say coming out of a parking spot. and plus i feel a shimmy on the wheel when driving either city or highway. its more like a steering problem. thanks for your help man

 

So its mainly noticable at low speeds? and its a creaking sound or more?

 

the creaking sound is only when i turn the wheel to the left and after the creaking sound there s like a thump or something when i turn the wheel all the way to the left. the shimmy is when i drive ahead and its constant. i gets a little less at highway speeds i guess because of the speed of the wheel, it becomes less noticeable. i m not sure but i have feeling it might be like the bushing or ball joint. thats what it sounds like to me

 

your caliper bolts might be loose!

 

check cv joint

 

ditto on the cv

 

I had the exact same problem w/ my 99 maxima auto. It wasn't a creaking tho it was like a metal on metal sounds...it was my brakepad bein low tho so i just had 2 change that.

 

well i m assuming the cv joint is good because the boot isnt ripped. and plus its not really a clicking sound.

 

If you only hear it when turning and braking, I'd guess its brake related.

 

not when when braking but when i let go of the brake. and only when the wheel is turned pretty much all the way to the left only.

 

How many miles on the car? A lot of miles could be spring plate bearings/isolators worn. Doesn't really answer why only left turn noise though so maybe I'm out to lunch on this one...anyone else??

 

a bit over 62k miles. it kind of surprises me because it doesnt have that many miles on it but things happen

 

I agree! I don't think my suggestion is so good at 60K...but then again, balljoints, tierods, etc don't sound too good at 60K. I defer to more educated (ie: experienced) owners opinions. I'll keep watchin' this post to see what other input comes in and hopefully, your successful resolution!!! Doug

 

well maybe this might help. my car also pulls to the right a little. this problem, in my belief has affected my alignment as well

 

most likely tie rods, could also be ball joints or maybe both. I am experiencing the same thing right now. 2 mechanics confirmed it. Already got all the parts to replace (Control arms, inner/outer tie rods, just did sway bar pins) just waiting for enough downtime to do it.

 

My car does the exact same thing, even after changing both axles (needed replaced, nothing to do with this noise) so it's obv not the cv joint. Please keep me updated if u ever find the cause and how to fix it!!!!

 

to check for tie rods you move the wheel from right to left? there should be very minimal play right?

 

I have the same problem. I was trying to pin-point it last night, but no luck.
In my case, I am sure it is steering related. I tested my car with the front of the vehicle on jack stands. The only moving parts were the steering components and nothing else (suspension, brakes, CV, transmittion). I know something is wrong with the steering, but I have no clue of the exact problem. My wife is my witness.

 

You might want to look at the how to regarding strut bearings. If your noise occurs when you turn the wheel all the way one direction or another and it does not matter if you are moving or not it may be the strut bearing. That is what is was for me and replacing the bearing fixed the problem. Good luck.

 

can that hurt the alignment and create a shimmy in the wheel while driving?

 

well i put on new tires, i needed them anyway, and the shimmy went away. and the car drives straight now but that weird sound is still there. my mechanic said it was tie rods but can tie rods cause that squiggly sound? i dont know

 

im a 99 with 100k. i have the exact issues down to every detail. let me know if you find out hte problem. I'm still saving up to do control arms, axles, all bushings, struts. might as well.

 

well now after the new tires it seems that i dont have that squiggly sound but i still do have that thumpy sound when i turn the wheel all the way to the left so im thinking it is the tie rods. im gonna take the car tomorrow to get both sides replaced and hopefully i think that should cure the problem.

 

how much did all that run you? i'm sure I have the same problem.

 

I have the same problem, but mostly while turning right under braking. Have all new components...tie rods, struts, mounts, isolators, bearing, lower control arm, sway bar mounts, end links...you name it. Only thing left are the brakes. I have notice while torquing the lug nuts on the front left that they are squeaky when I try to snug them up. It's a long shot, but could that be the problem? I've never heard of anyone having a problem with those, but that wheel has been taken on and off a few times over the last 123K miles. I'm guessing brakes...they are getting low and need replacing anyway.

 

I think I've found the solution. Try removing the caliper bolts, clean the crud off of them, and reinstall using anti-seize compound. Mine were slightly rusted and seemed "dry". Torque to factory settings. Also check the torque on the torque member that holds the caliper. Lastly, put anti-seize compound on the wheel lug nut studs. Torque to factory settings. Just test drove it and looks like it really solved the problem. You wouldn't believe the noise that was there before the fix. It really sounded like I had a bad spring or bad strut mount or something. I guess the parts I lubed need a little help over time. This fix will only cost you a tube of anti-seize compound and a little time. See if it fixes your problem before you spend the big $$ on the other stuff.