Can't go on a road trip with car problems! Please help :)

[AlexM.]

I planned on going out of town this weekend but I need you guys' help first!

Since Friday, my car has been inconsistently making a screeching. It's hard to narrow it down because it has happened in all of the following scenarios:

1) When I'm braking
2) When I'm not braking
3) When I'm turning

but it's not happening ALL the time

The screeching doesn't sound like brakes squealing. It's much more low pitched. It sort of sounds like something is slipping or the sound that would come from someone pulling something on a squeaky pulley.

If this is a break noise: ------------------------------------- where the continuous dashes are the screeching
Mine sounds like: ------ _____-------. The pitch varies, stops for a bit, then continues.

It happens at various speeds, but more common at very low speeds, and non existent at higher speeds. I don't think it's the brakes. My car has 20k miles and the brakes function normally. I've gotten my driver side cv boot replaced, which is the same area the noise was coming from. My intake came off of its hook the other day and got dented, but I dont think it would make a screeching noise from air leaking out. If anything it'd make a whining noise or a seeping sound.

Based on my research I think it could be:
a) damaged cv boot
b) loose wheel bearing
c) the rotor guard plate that rides behind the rotor being bent or catching on to something.

Also, my lug nut key is rounded off and I can't take off my lugs for the time being. A new one is on the way but until then I can't raise my car to take it into the dealership or even try to diagnose it myself Thanks guys

[DAAN.]

1 and 2 ...

didn't read the rest

[DJ_B_Easy]

Do you notice a vibration as well or just the noise? I suspect warped rotor.

[AlexM.]

Do you notice a vibration as well or just the noise? I suspect warped rotor.

No vibrations, smooth as butter.

1 and 2 ...

didn't read the rest

I partially don't understand what you're saying or why you didn't read the rest. If someone mentions a screeching sound coming from their car,one of the things that usually comes to most people's minds would be brakes so I just wanted to put it out there that it happens inconsistently regardless if I'm braking or not. I'm not trying to argue, just trying to understand. Sorry for being unclear. I need all the input I can get

[DJ_B_Easy]

In that case, Im not really sure, but I have also had a similar issue recently. They way I described it in gen chat was "NOM NOM NOM NOM" but "N" replaced with "W", "WOM WOM WOM WOM". Most of the guys there felt it was a bad CV boot or hub bearing, just as you suspect. To be quite honest, Ive had it going on for quite a while and Ive simply been too lazy to look into it further. I havent had any problems so far, just the annoying noise.

post6173516.html?hilit=Bad wheel bearing#p6173516

[AlexM.]

Thanks DJ, at least I know you've been driving with a bad bearing for a while with no issues yet (hope I dont jinx you lol).

Anyone else have any suggestions? I'm there just a rock stuck in my brake pad or something

[mmkeller]

You can easily pick up a rock on that 635 parking lot! Have you been on 635 lately? Uuugh, sounds like a belt or pulley to me, if you've narrowed the sound to the front of the car. It would drive me crazy.

[AlexM.]

Lol, no 635. I initially was worried that it was a belt but it doesn't sound like a traditional belt issue. And if it WAS a belt, it would be audible whether in drive or park, or idling, right?

[mmkeller]

IDK, belts are funny, I've had one that would make screeching noises only if it rained but would be fine other wise. Found out water was getting through because I left a bottom engine cover off and the moisture would get on the belt.

[DJ_B_Easy]

Alex what put you on to the problem with the CV boot? Was it just something that a tech noticed or were there symptoms you were noticing that made you get it checked out?

[IBCoupe]

Does it change when you turn left or right?

[SanoSuKe]

You having these kinds of problems at only 20k miles really scares me dude lol. I have no exp with that car so I'm not gonna even try. Good luck getting it fixed!

[AlexM.]

Alex what put you on to the problem with the CV boot? Was it just something that a tech noticed or were there symptoms you were noticing that made you get it checked out?

I tore it by incorrectly adjusting my ride height. How it happened is sorta complicated but yeah. I drove around with it for 5 days max while it was torn so I don't think the joint / shaft is damaged

Does it change when you turn left or right?

Nope.

You having these kinds of problems at only 20k miles really scares me dude lol. I have no exp with that car so I'm not gonna even try. Good luck getting it fixed!

Thanks man. Hopefully its something stupid like a rock stuck on the rotor / caliper. The noise is finally starting to get my nerves. Weather has been in the 70's lately so I've been driving with the windows down. I hate hearing it.

[IBCoupe]

Wait, now I have to know. What was improper about your ride height adjustment?

[AlexM.]

Well, to get to my ride height I had to remove two of the golden rings on the coilovers. The coilover is maxed out which means that if the ring and the lower mount are touching, there's no risk in only using one ring. I messed up my exhaust so I raised it to take it to a shop but I raised it by turning the locking ring, instead of twisting the lower mount or the shock itself. But I unknowingly somehow took the one ring partially off of the shock threads. When it came time to lower it back to max again, even though the lower mount and the ring met, the shock continued to spin. I thought it was just spinning in place but it was actually going down into my boot! A few days later I was getting gas and saw grease on my wheel spokes and there you have it.

Moral of the story: After your pre-load is set to 0, only adjust your ride height by adjusting the lower mount! But what happened to me is probably unlikely to happen to anyone else.

So REALLY, I have a weird noise coming from my car because I may have damaged my cv joint because I tore my cv boot due to improperly adjusting my ride height after needing to raise my car to fix my exhaust.

Update:

When I brake, there is a 97% chance that it will happen. And when it happens during braking I can disable it by letting go of the brake and pressing it again. The sound won't occur until the next time I brake.

[spawn01]

Alex, how long ago did you have the cv boot problem? It sounds like you might have brake pad vibration. Normally occurs at low speeds or light brake pressure. Can also occur when turning with moderate brake pressure or after releasing brake before a turn. The reason I asked about the cv boot, is that you mentioned you noticed grease on wheel. If some of that grease got on a brake pad, depending on the amount, it could take a couple of days for the oils to soak into the brake pad. This also depends on the composition of the brake pad. This causes a small portion of the brake pad not to have the same clamping pressure as the rest of the pad causing a very high frequency vibration that sounds like a off pitch squeal. If it is a loud screech, then your brakes are just bad. with 20K miles, I doubt it. It will also be inconsistent. If you have ever replace brake pads before, most pads come with a special grease that you put on the back side of the pad. This dampens the vibration to prevent squealing. I have seen certain wheel cleaners that will dissolve this special grease and eventually cause squealing. You can try a good brake cleaner and spray the disk while rotating the rotor. Do not spray directly onto the pad, just the rotor surface. Do not get it on your wheel! this is best done with the wheel off. If it is an oil soaked pad, the squeal will go away just momentarily but return after a few minutes of normal braking. At that point, you will need to replace the pads to get rid of the squeal. It is possible that this will correct itself as the pad wears. If this is the problem, I hope this helps.

[AlexM.]

Thanks, spawn. The cv issue was around early January. I don't think any got onto the brake pad, but its a possibility. The grease seemed like it splattered everywhere EXCEPT the rotors (at least the front side was clean).



But it definitely flung around in there...





I'll definitely double check

Thanks for your suggestions, would have never guessed all of that as a possibility.

[spawn01]

You are pretty fortunate that you did not damage the cv joint. Looks like you came close. Based on the location of the damaged boot, I would start with the inside brake pad. The rotor would appear clean after brake use. Factory brake pads on the altima are tapered on the leading and trailing edges. It is possible that grease could have built up on the leading tapered edge, causing a build up of dust and dirt. Eventually, it could cause a small piece of the pad to brake, or just the build up of dirt on the leading edge can still cause the vibration. If you get the wheel off, you can pull the pads or caliper and inspect them. I have new replacement pads, I cant use them, running g37 brakes. I am in fort worth, let me know if you need some help.

[AlexM.]

Thanks a ton. I may take you up on that offer. I've never removed my calipers or done anything brake related so I might need your help with that. If my key hasn't come in by Wednesday then I'm gonna get the custom key on Thursday. I'll do what I can on my own first and go from there.

[AlexM.]

I got a key made today and was finally able to take off my wheels. I noticed that there was this black plastic hook, where the axle connects to the hub, that was loose on the front driver side. I'm not sure what this plastic piece is but I've never noticed it being loose before and it may be causing the noise.

These are pictures from the front passenger side where the plastic hook doesn't move at all.







Anyone know what this is or if would cause the noise?

[ShadowAC]

it should be metal, unless its covered in a plastic.. its your coder pin, it basically holds everything together (crazy, i know) if its too long then i guess it could be scraping against something but i doubt it could make a large sound, if you need it replaced a local shop can usually just give you one

just make sure its not broken, if you drive without one and take ANY sharp turns then everything could fall apart and then your looking at some major expenses

i hope this helps

[AlexM.]

Thanks. I raised my car last night and the noise became very apparent when turning the steering wheel more than a quarter to the right. Took it to the dealer this morning and couldn't get the noise to trigger for the life of me. Then they started talking about how I've done so many mods to my car, which I don't. I don't think they wanted to help me out really. I'm just gonna ride on it and try checking for grease on calipers.

[ShadowAC]

havent we all been through that before lol, well good luck and keep us posted

[DJ_B_Easy]

Yeah bro thats just a Tinnerman clip, it can move a little bit as long as the ends are bent back. Mine wiggle a lot actually.

[alphapig]

Damn Alex sorry to hear about the problems

Best way to learn is the hard way though!

Seems like the joint got slightly bent/damaged? I can't imagine what else can cause that noise.

Wish you luck figuring it out, those stupid noises are infuriating

[incREDibL3]

First it was your exhaust, now you have this!
you have bad luck with the altima coupe, dude..

wish you the best! lol

[DJ_B_Easy]

Alex I have an appointment with a few techs tomorrow. WIll let you know what hey turn up on my issue, which seems a bit similar to yours.

[andyhenault]

The *cotter pin is only there to stop the nut from backing off. It doesn't hold anything together unless the bolt is loose, and isn't load bearing in any way. You should be able to find a ton of these at any hardware store.

[SanoSuKe]

First it was your exhaust, now you have this!
you have bad luck with the altima coupe, dude..

wish you the best! lol

I got into 2 accidents in the same month...2 months after buying the A/C <-- This is bad luck. Good luck Alex!! I feel your pain bro.

[spawn01]

who replaced the cv boot, did you take it somewhere or did you do it yourself? If you took it somewhere, and the noise is coming from the same side, i would take it back tell them about the noise. Replacing a cv boot normally requires removing the axle, separating the axle from cv joint, cleaning old grease and dirt from joint and ball bearings, inspect, regrease and reassemble. Most cv joint failures are associated with clicking noises while turning but we are still talking about metal on metal components. A squealing noise while under load in a turn could be possible from the joint dependent upon how much grease is in the joint. If you took it to a shop to have the boot replaced, It may be worth for them to have a look at it.