steel bobbling sound please HELP!!

[Mrorida]

Please can someone help me im going crazy. When im driving and even going over small bumps it sounds like something is loose. Sounds like steal bobbling around like clunk clunk. hard to explain, ball joint bad? strut bushing? dont know. 103k miles on 05 sl. sounds coming from up front i believe. PlEASE HELP!!!

[nitely]

There are a number of things that could cause your noise specially if nothing has been replaced since new. Fluids from your struts, ball joint and lower control arm bushing could have leaked out and now all dry and rubbing metal to metal. Engine mounts could also be busted. Or even your outer tie rod end. You need to jack up your car, put on jack stand and check for yourself with a light. Its easy to spot these things once you are there.

[Diderich]

What do you look for to spot these things? ie...what do those problems look like?

[miloca1983]

at what speed do you hear the sounds? please give us more info!


Sent from my Autoguide iPad app

[Halwg]

Originally Posted by Diderich

What do you look for to spot these things? ie...what do those problems look like?

If you don't know what to look for, it's better to take it to a shop and have them find it for you.

[njjoe]

Check the heat shields on the exhaust system. Often the bracket on a heat shield will fail and it will bang on the pipe, cat, or muffler.

-njjoe

[Eric L.]

Originally Posted by Halwg

If you don't know what to look for, it's better to take it to a shop and have them find it for you.

Agreed. You can take the time to learn about all the suspension components by reading the shop manual, but even that will not tell you how they work. Without a basic understanding of the suspension system, it is better off that you take it to a professional shop for them to diagnose it.

The noise can be caused by many things, but I am willing to bet it is something that has worn out or been jarred loose - Joe's suggestion of a heat shield is a good one, as well as worn tie rods, wheel bearings, ball joints, or strut mounts.

[nitely]

Originally Posted by Diderich

What do you look for to spot these things? ie...what do those problems look like?

Signs of leak stain around the bushing, ball joint boot, struts. Shaking your wheels while its up on jack stand can also tell you if you have issues with your outer tie rod end and ball joint. You can save some $ on inspection by checking for yourself. However, you need some basic stuff like jack, jack stand, or ramp to raise the car up for easier inspection. Youtube has lots of how to check for videos that you can learn from for just the basic visual inspection. You can also download the service manual if you are up to learning these things. Good luck.

[Mrorida]

it does it at speeds 5mph and up. kind of sounds like a bobble head. kind of like the top of the strut is loose and moving around, that kind of sound. I brought to mechanic and put it on the lift and we both looked, nothing. I looked at control arm bushings and stuff no cracks or anything. You guys really think it could be a motor mount?? motors not moving alot but this sound is making me nuts wish i could describe it a little better.

[zebelkhan]

Originally Posted by Mrorida

sound is making me nuts wish i could describe it a little better.

Maybe you can record it and post it here.

[Eric L.]

Originally Posted by Mrorida

it does it at speeds 5mph and up. kind of sounds like a bobble head. kind of like the top of the strut is loose and moving around, that kind of sound. I brought to mechanic and put it on the lift and we both looked, nothing. I looked at control arm bushings and stuff no cracks or anything. You guys really think it could be a motor mount?? motors not moving alot but this sound is making me nuts wish i could describe it a little better.

Why would your mechanic let the car out of the shop without verifying that there is indeed a noise and what the source of it is?

[Mrorida]

ive known my mechanic for awhile and i just stopped by real quick passing bye and he had a min so we put it on lift and looked at bushings quickly. The noise is a little worse now, it does it when i hit the gas and when Im not pushing gas pedal so maybe not motor mounts? My shocks rebound nicely, but boots r all falling apart in front so not sure if shocks r problem. Wheel bearing?? literally it sounds like something is loose and bobbling around. Im sorry i cant give a better description of the sound. It wont pick it up if i recorded it.

[Eric L.]

Without any more information, this isn't going to be diagnosed over the internet. You will have to take it into a shop for a full test drive and inspection.

[Mrorida]

True that, i appreciate ur help otherwise. At least do u guys know how to add a picture underneath ur murano page name is

[njjoe]

Originally Posted by Mrorida

True that, i appreciate ur help otherwise. At least do u guys know how to add a picture underneath ur murano page name is

Click on "User CP" on the Home toolbar. Under "Your Control Panel" you will see a section titled "Settings & Options". You can add an avatar in that section.

-njjoe