the cars giving me problems, motor still runs very strong but the wheel hub and bearing on the passenger side keeps going out. Last night i put in a new spindle with a good hub and bearing and it still kept making the rubbing grinding noise, in my opinion im starting to think that the passenger axle is bent, it vibrates at slow speeds then when it reaches freeway speeds of 65-75 mph it stops and you cant hear the rubbing wheel hub/bearing noise. so im pretty up to my neck and i cant keep trying to fix it, i spent too much money trying to fix it already.

 

Seems like you already probably narrowed it down by process of elimination.

 

Usually, a bent axle will be felt more under acceleration rather than cruising. A bent axle could cause premature bearing wear.

 

I'm confused, maximas are front wheel drive and have no spindle in the front. What did you replace new and why on earth did you re-use a "good" bearing. New hub, new bearing, assemble in old knuckle. Anything less is half-assed, and will not last. A good hub can be re-used, but ALWAYS use a new bearing.

 

Is your lower radiator support in good condition? If the crossmember already separated from it, the engine tilting down also puts stress on the axles as well. Just a thought for you to check..

 

Seems you never really found what the problem is before you threw parts at it.
Do some more trouble shooting and figure out what's really wrong, then fix it correctly.
There is no "spindle" on our FWD 4th gen.

 

i have heard a few ppl before call it a "spindle". What is the correct terminology?

Saylee,

Sounds like a new axle is in order. I hear mixed reviews with auotzone axles.

 

Depends on what he's calling a spindle. The hub is the part with the wheel studs. It presses into the bearings. The bearing/hub then presses into the knuckle. The splined portion of the CV joint then passes through the assembly.
Spindles are something that bearings and hub spins on. Our rear axle has two of them.

 

Sorry, I keep calling it a spindle, it is actually called the steering knuckle. It had the hub and bearing in it already, low miles

 

Have you checked your dust shields? Its also possible your used knuckle might have a bad bearing. Take you old knuckle to the stealership and have an OEM pressed in by them.

 

I have exactly the same problem on my 98 Max. Car eats passenger side only wheel bearings. Did you ever figure out the exact problem and what was the solution?

 

I kinda been having this problem too. The car has a slight vibration while cruising and its way more noticeable on the highway. I just cant figure it out and its pissing me off.

I was gonna try to replace the passenger bearing...but how the heck do i trouble shoot? I have shaken the wheels at 3 oclock and 6 oclock and dont get much play. BUT, when i changed my brakes and rotated the hub by hand, the hub wasnt rotating completley circular and seemed to be off. At the time i thought my rotors was just warped and once everything was bolted up i would be good to go. Evidently not....

opinions?