Popping noise in front of 2011 Frontier

[bijanjames]

I've had this noise since the truck was new, but it has gotten progressively worse recently. I've researched and this seems like a very common issue in Frontiers. It seems like lifting the truck exasperates the problem. I've read that Nissan says inner tie rod end binding. As soon as I let of the clutch in the garage with the wheels straight it will make one pop, if I turn it will pop. I can't imagine that it's a CV, or ball joint issue. The truck only has 32,000 and is very well maintained. It does have a ARB bumper and winch, sliders, skids, etc....So the extra weight could be making it worse. I have a 4 month old OME HD suspension on the truck. I'm going to try and tighten all the suspension up front this weekend, but Nisstec retorqued the suspension 2 months after install.

Any ideas?

 

[jhberria]

I have had a similar issue with my Xterra since it was in its infancy. It is likely one of two things: either your front sway bar bushings or endlinks (both of which are easily replaceable), or the spacer washers that go on your lower control arm bolts (cheap replacement, but not as easy to do). I recently removed my front swaybar, which has helped the problem, but it still persists particularly when my wheel is turned to the passenger side and I'm backing out of parking spaces. I think my issue is the LCA washers/spacers, as I suspect the issue is with your Frontier.

From what I've read, the OEM LCA spacers actually get worn and can fall out early in the life of the truck. The "popping" you can hear/feel through the floorboard is the shifting weight of the vehicle causing the LCA to slide ever so slightly along the mount bolt/camber bolt. PRG offers Derlin LCA spacers that rectify this issue (don't remember how much they cost), but you have to deal with the hassle of removing your LCAs. This becomes particularly problematic if you have adjusgtable camber bolts that are factored into your alignment.

In order to isolate your issue, I would try removing your front swaybar completely. If the popping persits, it's likely your LCAs. You can leave the front swaybar off, if you want (I did, I actually like the way it handles better), regardless of your findings. Hopefully this was helpful.

 

[justbecause]

My 2011 started doing that.
I got an alignment, didnt help
I replaced pads and rotors didnt help
took each driver shaft off because I was running out of ideas. neither removal effected the sound.
I got it up on blocks on all 4 corners, took the front tires off, spun everything, moved everything even got it into drive and crawled under it, couldnt see anything.

I finally gave up and took it to firestone. 60 bucks later they told me they adjusted my calipers. noise has been gone for over 10k miles now. I cant imagine I put those calipers back together incorrectly in the exact same way they were before... but I guess I did.

that or firestone just bull ****ted me. maybe? I dont know.

 

[bijanjames]

Thanks for the feed back guys. The sticking caliper might be an issue along with other things. Because it pops as soon as the truck starts to roll out of the garage on a flat surface as soon as the wheel start to turn, it seems that could only be a sticking brake caliper, since there is no undulation of the suspension. With that said, it also makes a popping noise when turning and cycling the suspension, and now makes a lot of noise off road. I'm going to take it to Nissan on Monday morning armed with all the TSB bulletin info for the frontier and xterra regarding this problem. I only have my powertrain warrenty left, so not sure if it will be covered under that, if not, I get the diagnosis from Nissan and then get it addressed at my buddies shop.

 

[justbecause]

isnt boulder nissan supposed to be a really good dealer? unless you are going to get a free-B at the second shop it would likely be best just to let the dealer address it.

 

[bijanjames]

I just called the dealer, they want $140 to just look at it, no thank you. So I called a Nissan specialist in town, they want $55 to diagnose the problem, much better. I then called my buddy, who wants zero dollars to figure it out, much better!

 

[justbecause]

140 is crazy. my dealer charges 70 then applies that as a credit towards the repair. I found that out after my frontier issues when the AC in my rouge quit.

 

[bijanjames]

I Found The Problem!!!!


My sway bar is crashing against my lower shock mount on the passenger side!! How did this happen!?!

 

[bijanjames]

Now the problem has been diagnosed on to the solution, PRG sway bar end links. When the truck gets lifted more strain is placed on the sway bar at full articulation. The PRG links are adjustable and can compensate for a small amount of lift. In my case about 1.5'. So I tried to contact them but his website is down and his phone number is no longer in service, anyone know if he went out of business? For now I'm going to remove the sway bar and make sure there are no other noises to deal with.

 

[justbecause]

I will probably not order anything from PRG again.

it took over 3 weeks for me to get my leaf packs.

Up dates from Greg were few and far between. Usually I am a pretty easy customer, but I needed that item before a long trip, and instead had to do without. I cant remember now if they arrived while I was away, or if it was even after the trip was over that I finally got them.

 

[bijanjames]

I will probably not order anything from PRG again.

it took over 3 weeks for me to get my leaf packs.

Up dates from Greg were few and far between. Usually I am a pretty easy customer, but I needed that item before a long trip, and instead had to do without. I cant remember now if they arrived while I was away, or if it was even after the trip was over that I finally got them.

Thanks for the info. I've read of other complaints as well.

 

[bijanjames]

Removed the sway bar which took care of the noise, and the ride is much improved. I think the HD springs prevent to much body roll, I will get the PRG links and put the sway bar back on when they arrive.

 

[Mo4130]

Do you have a winch as well as a bumper? When I removed the sway bar, the extra weight of my winch and arb even with the HD springs was just too much, and made for to vague of a feeling when driving down the road.

 

[bijanjames]

I do, I haven't driven it enough since removing the sway bar. We are taking a big off road trip this weekend, I'll let you know how it feels.

 

[IM1RU]

If you off road that bad boy, might I suggest you leave the sway bars off? You'll really be much better off. You just can't drive it like you stole it while on pavement. My 2 cents. I've removed both mine and honestly it's the best mod I've done.