I have experienced a problem with my maxima. Today when I went to drive to work I heard it making a grinding noise when it was driving and when I applied the brakes, there was lound thunking/chugging noises from the passenger right front.

I figured that it was something grinding on the rotor or perhaps a brake pad fell out causing some weird noises when the brakes are applied... but I took the side apart and the brakes look fine to me.

Is there another possible diagnosis for this type of problem?

Thanks in advance!

 

Road debris flew up in there and then dropped out.

 

Check your caliper piston.