As some of you may know, when you go over bumps or rough road surface, you hear a clunking noise which sounds like metal to metal contact in your steering wheel. This thread will show you how to fix the problem.

Tools Needed:
- Ratchet with 10mm and long 19mm (6 point)
- Phillip screwdriver
- T50 Torx bit with ratchet adapter
- Rubber Squeegee from Body Shop
- Yellow adhesive glue
- Tissue with rubbing alcohol

Step 1: Disconnect both positive and negative from battery 10mm (I take no chances with air bags)

Step 2: Remove left side cover


Step 3: Remove right side cruise control cover


Step 4: Remove both air bag screws with T50 Torx bit.

Step 5: Slide air bag forward and disconnect air bag harness.


Step 6: Remove both phillp screws shown along with steering wheel nut 19mm. Lift the piece out.


Step 7: Pre-fit rubber squeegee and mark where to cut as I have done with the red lines.


Step 8: Cut piece off on a flat surface. Clean metal surface and rubber with tissue wuth rubbing alcohol.

 

Step 9: Apply adhesive to metal surface and allow a few minutes to dry some but not completely.


Step 10: Place rubber on surface and hold for a few minutes for it to dry and stay in place.


Step 11: Reinstall piece and this should be your finished product.


Reinstall air bad and covers and take for a test drive. Should not hear anything from steering wheel again.

Now onto some of the other annoying noises....

 

needs to be stickied nice right up man

 

My steering wheel doesn't make any noise over bumps? Never heard of that complaint before either.

 

Whenever I make full turns I hear that clunking noise. I thought it was something rubbing against the tires themselves, but I guess not. Thanks

 

I used to have a clunk but I changed my strut bearing and the issue went away

 

When the mileage piles up with wear and tear, it will show and this will come in handy for you later down the road. I am just renewing the max for the big 300K.

 

I thought I was the only one with this problem. It sounds like a "clinking" noise, right? Mine's been making noise for like 3 years now and hasn't gotten any worse. I've considered replacing the steering column, but that's looking like a $700 job, so I won't be doing that. For an hour or so labor this seems like a reasonable method of covering up the noise, although it doesn't look like it actually fixes what is causing the pinging noise in the first place. I may be installing a smaller diameter steering wheel, so when I'm in there I will look around for the root of the problem. Thanks for the info!

 

That is the problem. That metal piece has three small rubber legs that wear out with time and get brittle. Once it gets to this state, that metal piece hits the center screw going over bumps. Once you remove the airbag, try pushing it down with your finger to see if it makes contact. If so, that is the noise you are hearing.

 

Indeed. Probably a month or two ago I ripped that piece out of my DD after living with that annoying rattle for months.

 

What is that piece?

 

My best guess given it's got some weight to it and is mounted on a flexible rubber base, some sort of vibration damper. Personally I haven't noticed a bit of difference without it.

 

OK I thought it might be turn signal interupter but i guess its in the wrong place for that.

 

Nissan calls that part a dynamic damper. under certain conditions the steering wheel could vibrate and by adding some weight (the damper) vibrations are prevented or stopped. Nissan is not unique in doing this. I know that hondas and subarus have one, even Catepillar tractors have them!

 

Do the 5th gens have the same setup? I have a similar clunk in my 2000.

 

SO YOU DONT NEED THIS PEICE I CAN JUST TAKE IT OUT CAUSE MINES BEEN LOOSED FOR A LONG TYME NOW N ITS STARTIN TO ANNOY ME PLZ LET ME KNO IF I TAKE IT OUT WAT WILL HAPPEN OR DIFF IZ

 

Not sure if they do. Remove airbag to see if it has the same part.

According to pmohr, he doesn't feel any difference but I left mine in there.

 

Yes the 2000 has one. See page ST-10, it is part # 2. Page ST-11 shows the removal.

If you don't have a manual, get one here -

http://www.aubreyandcharles.com/ServiceManuals/

or here -

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/

 

I agree with everything from steps 1-5. However, steps 6-11 are not necessary. Instead, all you have to do is get some felt tape from Home Depot. It's felt on one side and adhesive on the other. Then just tape it on one of the metal pieces without having to remove everything and gluing anything on. The fix is way easier that way.

 

That's true, but Trini's fix using the "squeegee" is a longer lasting fix. Since the noise is a metal piece pounding on another piece, the thicker, tougher the material, the longer it will last.

 

Yeah, I suppose if you're thinking of keeping your Maxima for hundreds of years it may matter whether rubber would disintegrate faster than heavy duty felt:



But for those of us who don't plan on being Buck Rogers, it's not going to matter.

 

I followed your instruction about fixing this noise over the weekend and everything you mention is accurate to a tee. Applied a piece of squeegee, replaced the parts, and let the glue dry for an hour than came back and banged on the steering wheel a few times and there is no sound. Same thing when I took it for a quick spin and rode over a few bumps. Thank you very much

 

Nice find and fix guys. Ive never notice any noise from mine but if so, I now know what to do.

 

Hi Everyone and thanks for this info. I have a 1995 Nissan Maxima SE making this annoying noise lol. Will be working on this on the coming weekend.

thanks again!