Front End Bangs Over Bumps

[fixit2011]

2001 Pathfinder 158,000 Miles. Front end is making a banging or knocking
noise when I go over bumps.

I just replaced both sway bar links and it still makes the noise.

I also did the tire wiggle ( hands at 12 and 6 ) check for ball joints
and there is no movement.

Any ideas what I should look at next ?

Thanks for any help

[metalfabsteve]

I'd check the drivers side strut tower there is a recall on them talked about a few threads down from this one
Cheers
Steve

[fixit2011]

been looking at that recall notice and will inspect again
for rust.

any comments on how bad struts would be making a
banging noise

[patqx4]

Is it on the driver side or passenger? Would you describe it like a really loud knocking or "poping" when driving over uneven ground?

[fixit2011]

It's on both sides. Sound is not super loud. You hear it and feel it going over
bumps.

[fixit2011]

Just spoke with my wife, who drives it mostly. she says the noise is
not as bad as before i put the new sway bar links in. i wonder if
maybe i just need to find a way to get those really super tight.
i pulled and yanked as hard as i could to tighten them, but not enough...

anyone have any thoughts ?

[ARKQX33V6]

Jack up the front with both front wheels about 3 inches off the ground. Let the front wheels hang use the frame under the rad as your loading area. Take a 5 foot pry bar and try to lift each tire further up, place your other hand on top of the strut tower, if you feel, hear, see any movement the tower shocks need replacement. At 158,000 miles and no front strut change you are do.

Struts and top bearing can make a noise like banging.

To remove you will have to support the front end, use the jacking points and then with the tires wheels hanging you can use another bottle jack to release tension ob the bolts.

Remove all bolts, at top inside engine compartment mark 1 bolt nut for reference, when pulled out mark the spring before removing for reference.

You will need a spring compressor to remove the spring. Note the top bearing condition, make sure it is clean and the underside of the fender is clean for re-assembly

[fleurys]

I had at one point the same bang on my truck too...

ended up being the inner tie rods. I would not feel any loose while doing a 3-9 test, it was that anyway. Ended up replacing both inner and outer tie-rods.

[fixit2011]

thanks for the reply.

did you do the tie rods yourself, is it a difficult job ?

i just did the sway bar links myself, not complex
just a major pain in the bum cutting the bolts off.

any advice is greatly appreciated.

thanks !

[fleurys]

yes I did them myself... A good pipe wrench to unscrew the old inner tie-rod works very well... not a difficult job really... A lift is very usefull for the working position. other than that, not hard.

[fixit2011]

I just tried the pry bar test, didn't hear or feel anything.
Good test, but unless I did it wrong, it seems it's not
the struts.

While I had it up on jacks I tried the 12 an 6 test again.
This time passenger side had a tiny bit of play. drivers
side was solid.

I did notice though that the brake shield on the drivers
side was badly rusted and kinda bent towards the
ball joint.

Here's my plan for tomorrow. Put new outer tie rod ends
on both sides and take off the rusted brake shield.

One question before I dive into this, should I do both outer
and inner tie rods and if so do i need any special tools
for the inner rod.

Thanks for all the replies.

[fleurys]

On my case and at least one other that I know , it was the inner tie-rods that had a slack in it...the outer felt strong and stiff... This is why it took longer to find the problem. I would say do both if your truck is a keeper. no special tools for me used.. only a good wrench to unscrew the inner tie-rod.. Don't forget (like I did), to un-bend the locking washer before trying to unscrew :-)

[fixit2011]

Outer tie rods are done now along with the sway bar links.
Guess what, it still bangs.

Just got set of inner tie rods and will work on those today.
Finding new clamps for the bellows has been a pita but I have
some on the way.

When I did the outer rods I noticed the inners were very loose,
so I'm hoping this will do it.

I'll post when I'm done or get stuck.

Thanks again for all the replies.

[fixit2011]

FYI - While at the nissan dealer buying parts I asked the repair counter
about the strut rust recall. They were very vague about it. I asked if
they would give me a print out of the recall notice and they said "NO".
They also said if it has the problem and can not be fixed they do not
know what the process is for dealing with it.

[fixit2011]

New inner tie rods are in and just had front end aligned.
The banging is less but it's still there.... ugh !

Not sure what to look for now. Thinking about getting my
300lb neighbor to bounce the front end up and down while
I watch from underneath.

Any thoughts from anyone about what else might be causing this ?

[fleurys]

sorry to hear it did not fixed your issue... how are you ball joints ?

[patqx4]

If its not the balljoints, check your strut mounts. I just replaced mine to get rid of a banging like yours, smooth as butter.

[fixit2011]

Currently thinking maybe it''s the sway bar bushings.
I looked at them and they look a bit worn, Not yet metal
on metal but close, looks like about 1/4 inch of bushing
between the bar and the bracket.

Anyone have any thoughts about this ?

[fixit2011]

Had local mechanic check it out today. He said hard to tell
but probably struts.

I looked around for a complete "Quick Strut" solution, but
it does not seem to be available for 01 PF.

Beyond struts, mounts, coils and bolts, what else do I need
to assemble my own "Quick Strut" type solution ?

I'm hoping getting all the parts from the same parts store
I can borrow their spring compressor and put it all together there at the store, bring it home, swap out the old ones and put the new ones in without having to mess
with spring compressor, reusing worn parts, etc...

Does my plan sound sane ? What other parts would I need
to do this ?

Thanks for all and any replies.

[Ronmarr1]

I think you will hear from folks here and other forums that it is a good idea to use OEM Nissan parts for the
upper strut mounts if you are removing and/or replacing your struts. Lots of people use the KYB GR2(?) struts w/ Nissan OEM mounting hardware.

There are comments on this forum about non factory upper strut mounting hardware failing.

You might search around for something like "Strut mounts" on the forum.

I'm guessing you will also need a good
alignment when done.

[ARKQX33V6]

Test and look at the struts.
Jack up the front end with both tires off the ground about 3". Place a 5' pry bar under 1 of the front tiresand try to pick up the tire. With your other hand firmly on the strut top inside uder the hood, where the 3 strut bolts are, feel for any movement.

You must have zero movement.

Can't tell still do not know!

Raise front end higher and remove 1 strut . With strut out use a spring compressor to remove spring. Now try to push pull the shock. It should not be easy, if it is, that's what is banging, when you hit a bump the sudden change in direction of the shock because it is warn out bangs.

60,000 miles or 100,000 km is their limit.

Let us know what you find.

[fixit2011]

Thanks for the replies.

Can anyone recommend a decent spring compressor that does not cost
an arm and a leg.

[ARKQX33V6]

Location?

[fixit2011]

Boston area...

[ARKQX33V6]

Sorry too far for me to visit you and help out.