Hey Guys...I've been trying to figure out this noise coming from under the car for quite some time now. I've put it up on jacks and everything is solid when I use a pry bar to look for play. The only thing I've noticed is the end links(factory) swivel very easily left to right on the ball joint. If you push them up/down and left/right, no play. I'm suspecting it could be the issue. I'm posting a video here to show exactly what I'm hearing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHieA...eature=related

This is the exact noise I'm hearing. Although, no responses to that video either as to what causes it. Any ideas guys? Thanks in advance.

 

Anybody? Any ideas?

 

Kinda sounds like cv joint on the axle to me...search 350z axle click on youtube or something, maybe that'll help. If you mostly only hear it on turns, that's probably it.

 

hmm...yeah at first I thought that it was that too...that is a good idea to check but after test driving the vehicle over and over, the noise is coming from the front and cv joint is only in the rear. So that pretty much rules that one out. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

bump for suggestions!

 

disconnect the swaybar end link on one side and see if that changes the noise.

 

this

 

Great idea! Not sure why I didn't think of that. Thanks. I'll post back with results.

 

Update: No dice...I removed only the bottom bolt of the endlink...the top one was a b*tch to get out...figured for isolation purposed it would be enough...drove out and still get the clattering when turning over bumps. If I keep the wheel fully turned to left and drive, I hear a consistent metal on metal grind...very odd...everything looks tight under there...even tried turning the wheel in the same direction and spinning it while on jacks...couldn't replicate it...I used a pry bar on just about everything on the suspension...no give on anything..any other ideas guys?

 

bump for suggestions!

 

bumpity bump!

 

I didn't watch your vid more than once, but it seemed to me that your noise happens under harder acceleration. Poke around your exhaust for the shiny parts where it's making contact with things it shouldn't?

 

nah its not exhaust..its definitely coming from right front side...exhaust is tight and no give...thanks for the suggestion though.

 

im intrigued as well still, could it be an abs problem? maybe wheel bearing? maybe a torn compression rod bushing?

 

Did you check your dust shields?

 

Well I had an issue with the dust shield...that I'm going to replace..stupid plastic clips don't hold for too long. That was more of a rubbing sound rather than a click clack that you hear in the vid...there is no give on the wheel when on jacks at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions and 3 and 9 o'clock positions when looking for play...checked bushings and no play either...I noticed that at the top of the coilover strut tower, the rubber bushing was cracked from movement..wonder if this has anything to do with it...although, when pushing up on strut tower, there was no give either...I'll have to double check again...I'll keep everyone posted...thanks for the ideas guys.