Front end noise in 2003 nissan altima - Altima Forums.net - The Nissan Altima Enthusiast Talk and Discussion Forums

jethro479 · 01-17-2009

I bought my 2003 nissan altima in 2005. Shortly after i bought it i noticed a noise coming from the frontend. It sounds like an airplane. (Really). When I turn the car to the left the noise lessens a little. The frontend doesn't seem like it is out of align. Any help would be appreciated.

DJ · 01-18-2009

Is it a manual or automatic transmission?

luxuryrules · 01-18-2009

Details, details, details! Diagnosing a noise over the Internet is a very difficult thing, lol.

Is it a clunking? Rubbing? Swishing? Squealing? Tapping? Grinding? Does it very with the speed of the car? Maybe the speed of the engine? Or is it constant? Does the car act funny at all? Noise get worse when you go over bumps? The brakes work ok?

jethro479 · 01-18-2009

It is an automatic transmission. The noise sounds like kinda a buzzing noise. Kinda like tire noise but it has done it with two different brands of tires. It is almost unbearable. The brakes work fine.

luxuryrules · 01-18-2009

Cool. I'm guessing, then, that the noise changes with the speed of the vehicle, yes?

Does it pull to one side at all? I see you mentioned above it doesn't drive like it needs an alignment, but how about if you get on the brakes really hard? Does it pull harder on one side or the other?

Of greater importance, with the wheel jacked up in the air (and car on jackstands), if you grasp the tire at the sides & wiggle, then repeat for top & bottom, is there any play? A buzzing/humming may indeed be a bearing.

Now, if you jack up the frame, set it on jackstands, then jack up the lower control arm so that the wheel is pretty close to ride height, what happens when you poke & prod all the suspension components? Can you find any play with anything? Use a crowbar and/or a rubber mallet. See if anything moves that shouldn't. Also, while the wheel is in the air, give it a good spin to listen to the noise while you're sitting right there - that may help you pinpoint it better than any of us can.

Good luck bro.