2004 Maxima - ongoing front end problems in shock area

[dnb]

My '04 Max has had noise in right and/or left sides in the shock area from day 1. I have seen the dealer 5-6 times about it. The car was bought new. They have replaced the shocks twice and the hats at least once. The sound sound starts as a low frequency, very soft duh, duh over certain types of roads. In the early stage, bumps won't do it. It is on uneven roads. Low speed bumps will do it. Months later, it has become louder and the slow speed that would do it in the beginning now moves up to hearing it anywhere between 5-40mph. 2 weeks ago, they replaced the shocks again. The right side is far worse than when I brought it to them. So bad that it sounds like something is loose. The noise is no longer only low frequency, but in the mid ranges.I'm pretty fed up at this point. The car was marked as a problem car. They had a specialist who doesn't work for the dealership working on it. they had it for a week a year ago. They agreed to extend the warranty on this item. All to no avail. The left side is better after this last shock change, but a week later I could hear the low freq., very soft, duh duh beginning again.Has anyone experienced this? Thanks for your help. dnb

[jsmithsole]

My '04 Max has had noise in right and/or left sides in the shock area from day 1. I have seen the dealer 5-6 times about it. The car was bought new. They have replaced the shocks twice and the hats at least once. The car was marked as a problem car. They had a specialist who doesn't work for the dealership working on it. they had it for a week a year ago. They agreed to extend the warranty on this item. All to no avail. The left side is better after this last shock change, but a week later I could hear the low freq., very soft, duh duh beginning again.Has anyone experienced this? Thanks for your help. dnb

Sounds like you have a lemon on your hands. May be too late now though, I'm not sure exactly how the law works but I'd look into it. I know at least 2 people who have had Nissan buy back there car, after lots and lots of complaining!! I luckily have never had a problem... Good Luck!J

[Silvergoddess]

You explained the same problem I have with my 2004 Maxima. I had to take my car in for nearly 3 months straight before they found the problem. They did everything including putting in a new carpet kit (to mask the sound) until they discovered it was a strut problem. Now the left front is having the same problem exactly a year later and it's driving me nuts. Now the car is no longer under warranty.

[dnb]

Hi Silver Goddess,Is your car an SL or an SE? Mine is an SL.Thanks,dnb

[dnb]

Dear J,Are the people you referred to Maxima '04 owners or others? Was the problem the same as I'd described or were these buy backs for other reasons?thanks, dnbPS do you know of any other places (bulletin boards) where I can post this request?

[Beancooker]

You found the best forum on the net for this kind of problem. I'll see what I can find out for you! Are you still under warrenty on the struts?

[dnb]

Thanks, J. Apparently so. They extended the warranty on this issue. I now think to get me out the lemon law period. They just installed new ones 2 weeks ago and are going to look at it again this Wed. Any help you can bring would make me very grateful.Thanks,dnb

[MinisterofDOOM]

We had (have) the same problem with our 2004 SE as well. Took it in about a week ago, but it seems to still be making the same noise.

A few months back, we replaced both sway bar end links on my grandpa's 2nd gen Pathfinder that was also making noises similar (but not exactly the same) to what our Maximas are doing, under the same circumstances. This solved the problem. This has me thinking our problem is related to something other than the struts. I doubt it's the end links, since those led to more of a clicking sound (though it was very loud). But replacing the struts doesn't seem to help, so my guess is it's some other suspension component that is moving around when it shouldn't be.

[dnb]

Dear Minister,Did you buy your 04 maxima new or used? Is this the first time you have brought it in for the problem?Thanks,dnb

[MinisterofDOOM]

It was bought new, and yes, this was the first time we've had the car in for that problem.

[Silvergoddess]

Mine is an SL. I have had a Datsun/Nissan for 15 out of 22 years. This is the first time I have been disappointed. I love everything else about the car, but this problem drives me nuts.

[jsmithsole]

Dear J,Are the people you referred to Maxima '04 owners or others? Was the problem the same as I'd described or were these buy backs for other reasons?thanks, dnbPS do you know of any other places (bulletin boards) where I can post this request?

I am talking specifically about the 6th gen.Here's more info:

Update:For whatever reason, each version of the Maxima (transmission, leather differences) has a different part #. But as long as your dealer replaces both your struts and the # end with 6 you are good to go.

Nissan has finally redesigned the 2004 Maxima strut. If you feel yours may be defective, read the posts below and/or contact your dealer.

These #'s are for 2004 SE 5 speed auto w/ leather only:Old Part #'s: 54302-7y425 54303-7y425

New Part #'s SE leather and 4sp SL: Right 54302-7y426 Left 54303-7y426

For SL 5speed: Right 54302-7y026 Left 54303-7y026

Even if you only have one defective, both should be replaced with the new ones.

If your dealer is unaware of new #'s and will not order you the new ones, contact Nissan through email or phone to get their approval.

Threads for reference:http://forums.maxima.org/showt...age=3

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=386689

------------------SL 4speed strut is the same as SE auto w/ leather. SL 5 speed has been replaced witht the second new strut #'s in June 2006. (Not certain if the 0 indicated SL 5 speed or if this is yet another Strut.)

SE auto w/o leather or SE Manual, the above part #'s do not apply to you. Although the new part may apply to you. Contact Nissan to check if there is a new strut available:

1 800 NISSAN-5

[dnb]

J, Thank you very much for your help. I am bringing in the car tomorrow and will give them the part numbers. Will let you know. That Maxima.org site you found for me is terrific.Aloha,dnb

[SPYYDERT]

I am also experiencing the noise in my new car perticularly at low speeds 5-20mph in parkinglots and other uneven surfaces. My car is a 2004 Maxima SE, 6speed manual, Leather nav elite with 20K. There is no strut listed for a 6sp. SE.. hmm.

I work for a nissan dealership so I will ask the service guys if they know anything about this.

[SPYYDERT]

Does anyone have the correct part number for an 04 with 6 speed?

[lowblocks]

it may be the ball joint my mom had a problem like that it's like a low hum until u hit a bump then u here a squeak