My car makes this low-pitched metal-to-metal burly grinding noise. I notice it comes from the driver's rear brake and when I'm applying the brake softly. If I'm rolling slowly and I push the brake in and out a little the noise will come and go -- so it's definitely the brakes. I'm pretty much certain that it's a frozen caliper, because it's happened there before and I had a new caliper installed. So it looks like this one went bad too, eh?

The second, noise is a suspension noise, also coming from the same spot (driver's rear). Basically, it sounds like the clunking of bad end-links, but I don't even know if Maximas have end-links in the rear? This popping/clunking noise isn't terribly loud, but you can definitely hear it with ease. Driving over imperfections and roads with constant little bumps will trigger the popping noise. Big bumps or dips and etc. sound fine. The strut is fine as the car's handling hasn't changed much.

I DID have an RSB installed and after that was when I noticed the problem, but again...this only happens on one side of the car and over minor types of imperfections. Any ideas?

 

I've been getting that noise too, but from the front (now both sides) very occasionally when turning sharp. I think it has to do with the z32 caliper setup but who knows. Goes away immediately when even touching the brakes lightly. After changing out everything, checking everything, etc....I've written it off to being "something annoying that I'm finished being annoyed with and will now just ignore."

Turn up the radio.

Not sure about the suspension noise, but check bushings.

 

Yeah, but my noise will happen when I press the brakes and still happens for a little if I let it go. Obviously once the caliper heats up it unfreezes, it seems. The handbrake feels loose, but will feel fine if I pull it up and down a few times. It's absurdly loud and embarassing too.

And it only happens after the car's been sitting for a little while, or if the car is off and my leg is on the brake. Or if I'm constantly riding the brakes going 5MPH in traffic.

 

Suspension noise is most likely due to loose RSB brackets. Progress trailing arm brackets are designed in the worst possible way, and the bolts have to be tightened VERY hard in order for the brackets not to slip.

 

BTW, also make sure that your muffler is not hitting anything.