Front suspension knocking noise

[philipa_240sx]

I've noticed a metallic knocking noise the past few weeks. It happens every time I hit a bump on one side only. So today I jacked up the Rogue, and pulled the drivers side front tire. It suspected an issue with the sway bar end links and that's exactly what I found. They have worn out and there is some play in them. Every time one front tire hit a bump, the sway bar twists and the ball joints in the links 'knock'. If I hit a bump with both tires, the sway bar moves in unison and there is no load put on the end links and no knocking noise.

This is not surprising really. The roads where I live are not in the best of shape. The constant banging from potholes and frost heaved pavement have taken their toll. I have 65,000mi (109,000km) on the clock.

The repair is simple, remove the 4 nuts, remove and replace. It shouldn't take more than an hour. I don't know the parts cost here in Canada. But in the US, the links are $27 ea.

I'll post a few photos when I perform the repair.

[Nick 568]

Good to know! The roads where I live are among the worst in the US, so if the same thing happens to my Rogue, at least I'll know what it is!

[philipa_240sx]

At first I thought is was something far more serious.... like something was about to break. Glad I found the problem.

The wife's Mazda had the same problem this year. Replaced the end links this past spring.

I think the rough country roads around here are not very kind to the suspension!

[philipa_240sx]

Parts on order. A bit more expensive than I thought at $42 ea.... but I do live in Canada.

It's not worth importing from the USA to Canada to save $30. Once I add the exchange rate and shipping costs, there is little savings.

[philipa_240sx]

Ok, repair complete.

I never really bothered to take any photos as it scarcely took 15 min per side and was dead simple. My only tip is to raise the entire front of the vehicle and place it on jack stands so the wheels are equally 'suspended'. Otherwise you will be fighting against the torque of the stabilizer bar getting the end links off.

Once jacked up, it's just a simple matter of unbolting the old parts and bolting the new ones in. The ball end of the link has a hex 'flange' that is useful for holding it in place while torquing the retaining nut.

As for the old parts? The drivers side link was the culprit... excessive play. The stabilizer links do not effect alignment or vehicle ride directly so in theory you could just replace one side. (Note: the LH drivers side link is different than the RH side). However, it's always good practice to replace suspension components in pairs as I did. Eventually the good link would have had the same issue within months as the suspension wears somewhat evenly.

[philipa_240sx]

Update,

I drove about 120mi in the past 2 days. She's nice and quiet now.

[Elton Noway]

Ok, repair complete.

I never really bothered to take any photos as it scarcely took 15 min per side and was dead simple.

tsk...tsk... Simple or not... I was really looking forward to your photos. As they say... a picture is better than a 1,000 words.

[philipa_240sx]

Okay Elton,

Next time I pull the wheels off I'll take some photos are write up a simple tutorial... minus taking the actual parts off my Rogue.

[mpattdu]

I know this is an old topic but my dealer just mentioned that the front sway bar links look a little worn and might be what's causing some noise. I'm glad to read that it's a pretty easy fix (dealer wants >$200!), but I'm in need of some clarification on terms. Several posts here and my dealer said "sway bar links." On the Everything Nissan website parts search I find left and right stabilizer links http://www.everythingnissan.com/2008-Ni ... 744211.htm (Item 4). Same thing? And any idea why the left is ~$21 and the right is ~$43? They are different part #s and I figured they'd use the same on each side.

Thanks!
mpattdu