1996 Maxima Front wheel Bearing question

[show_time23]

Hi, i just purchased a 96 maxima when i drive i feel that the front right wheel is shaky when i hit a bump, the car kinda veers off to the right. and it makes quite a bit of ruckus when i hit a bump or a hole with the front right wheel, it doesn't make any grinding sound tho. it jus makes a noise when i hit a bump. is that the wheel bearing? Thanks.

-Salah

[loystock]

Welcome to NICO.

First make sure that your lug nuts are torqued properly (@ 80 ft-lbs). Loose lug nuts may cause the wheel to wobble and bearing to fail prematurely. A failing bearing will initially sound like hush-hush-hush then more like a grinding noise as bearing failure become more evident. The bearing noise frequency also follows the speed of the car. But IMO, a failing bearing will not cause a clunking sound over hump.

A clunking sound over hump/bump is most likely due to failing suspension (strut/strut mount) but can also be due to engine mount, tie rod, ball joint or sway bar bushing.

Since you have a clunking sound and car veers right when hitting bumps, most likely it's due to bad sway bar bushing or tie rod (least likely due to steering rack).So check the sway bar bushing as it connects to the cross member.

Make further check by jacking up the suspected wheel. Grab the tire at 6 and 12 o'clock positions and try to tilt it in both directions. If it moves you may have loose lug nuts or bad bearing. Grab the tire at 3 and 9 o'clock positions and try to move it side to side. If it moves or clunks, you have a bad tie rod, steering or something else that needs further investigation.

BTW, I deleted you other post as it is redundant