Hi,

2003 Maxima GLE 75K miles

There is a noise from the left front as if someone was rhythmically
knocking a block of hardwood against the bodywork.

The noise ONLY appears when I am NEITHER accellerating or braking.

The noise ONLY happens when the front wheels are pointing straight
ahead, disappears when I turn the wheel.

The noise ONLY appears between 20 - 40 mph, disappears at higher
speeds

There is zero vibration feedback through the steering wheel

The noise appears to be more pronounced when it is raining?

I do not believe it is a wheel bearing problem, I have had faulty
wheel bearings before.

I do not it is a CV Joint problem as I have had CV Joint problems
before. Also there is zero noise when turning.

I have jacked up the left front. Lug nuts are at correct torque. No
wheel bearing play. No sign of tire being out of round. Removed the
wheel. No obvious sign of play in any joints. No obvious wear on any
rubber bushes. The rubber bush for stabilizer bar looks slightly worn
where it surrounds the stabilizer bar (whole is too large).

Have checked and torqued all suspension nuts, bolts. Shock absorber
appears undamaged.

I might be imagining it but it appears there is a muffled low level
vibration all the time now.

Only thing I can think of the the top area where the strut attaches to
the bodywork. I am not familiar with this area. What's in this area,
bearing, rubber mount. Is this area the likely source of my problem.

Al Moodie.

On Sun, 15 Mar 2009 22:34:54 -0400, Al Moodie <nospam (AT) nospam (DOT) com>
wrote:

Problem here was a wheel bearing on the RIGHT side, I thought the
noise was coming from the left, so much for my diagnostic skills.

Repair cost $325 at my local shop.

Al Moodie