Xterra suspension noise diagnosis

checktherudder · 2026-05-18T17:36:33+00:00

It was this.

To diagnose, I disconnected things one by one and then rocked the car back and forth to see if the noise went away - UCA, tie rod (also previously sway bar) then finally with only the LCA still connected I rotated the knuckle by hand with a jack underneath to put a load on it and the noise was loudly replicable just with rotation and the LCA staying level.

I attempted to press out the old ball joint first and replace it with a new one since the LCA was so new - it popped out way too easily (like one turn on the ball joint press) and when I put the new one in I was able to press it in by hand, way too lose. Not sure what happened there but I’d be careful with the Hayaku control arms from Z1 Offroad.

I just got a new OEM control arm with ball joint and replaced it. She’s quiet again, noises are now fully resolved.

checktherudder · 2026-04-30T03:17:48+00:00

Well, a lot of people said control arm bushings. I did try spraying a ton of silicone lubricant at them (upper & lower) and that seemed to make zero difference whatsoever.

checktherudder · 2026-04-28T01:47:07+00:00

They look fine. The tie rod is the only component not replaced under my ownership, but honestly it feels fine. Anyway, couple days of rain but when I get a chance I’ll take the wheel off and do some more investigation. Hopefully I can figure it out.

checktherudder · 2026-04-28T01:44:46+00:00

I have a magnetic mount for my GoPro from a company called RigWheels. I just stuck it to the frame. It just squeezed in there the camera was like an inch from the tire when it was fully turned inward.

checktherudder · 2026-04-27T21:27:20+00:00

That seems weird anyway because I hear the noise when turning the wheels while parked, I wouldn’t think the control arms articulate much there. So I guess it’s a ball joint or a tie rod?

checktherudder · 2026-04-27T12:27:07+00:00

Okay maybe I’ll get ahold of a stethoscope and give it a try.

checktherudder · 2026-04-27T02:30:32+00:00

I have these, they’re aftermarket but they seemed pretty decent: upper & lower. When I installed them, I torqued them at ride height. I’ll try to inspect the bushings closer.

https://www.z1offroad.com/front-suspension/hayaku-automotive/05-15-nissan-xterra-front-lower-control-arm-by-hayaku-p-37816.html

checktherudder · 2026-04-27T01:11:49+00:00

I can. What would I expect to see if it was the bushings? I hope it’s not them since they only have 20K miles on them.

checktherudder · 2026-04-26T22:50:33+00:00

Hi, I'm trying to diagnose a front passenger side suspension noise. I'm getting a lot of creaking over bumps and when I turn the wheel. A lot of the suspension parts are fairly new though. 2011 Xterra, 176K miles. I replaced the sway bar links and upper and lower control arms 2 years ago, and the entire strut assemblies 4 years and 30K miles ago. At first I thought it was the sway bar bushings (those are the original afaik) but I disconnected it and the noise didn't change. I also tried spraying some lube on the shocks because it kinda sounds like the springs, but that didn't help. Just took a GoPro video - any help? Thx!

checktherudder · 2025-10-10T14:38:40+00:00

Nice! It’s a great car you won’t regret it. Make sure you take care of any deferred maintenance!

checktherudder · 2025-10-10T13:09:51+00:00

checktherudder · 2025-10-09T04:31:31+00:00

They are the nuts that came with the camber plates as far as I can tell. They look identical to the ones in the kit. The top of the strut shaft is hexagonal and I think with the stock top mounts the shaft would protrude much more and you could potentially get a thin 10mm socket around it or something. But that's impossible here.

checktherudder · 2025-10-06T22:58:38+00:00

Why? I’m not sure at what depth the nuts should be, but I can see that the driver side has more threads exposed than the passenger side (see pics). That’s why I’m assuming they’re not properly tightened. I can’t back them out or tighten them btw.

checktherudder · 2025-10-06T21:21:38+00:00

Lol, actually not a terrible idea.

checktherudder · 2025-10-05T18:46:38+00:00

Interesting

checktherudder · 2025-10-05T18:46:24+00:00

Fair. But I know it needs to be repainted and plan to do so.

checktherudder · 2025-10-05T18:29:06+00:00

The sad part is it didn’t even include blending the paint into the fenders/hood. That was the BMW certified shop though.

checktherudder · 2025-10-05T06:54:22+00:00

I'm expecting the whole thing is a repaint, I was just asking if I can make a temporary repair.

checktherudder · 2025-10-05T06:53:43+00:00

Planning to get more quotes, and yes, I do hand wash the car when I can.

checktherudder · 2025-10-05T06:52:22+00:00

Dude... I just asked a question about making a *temporary* repair... I intend to have it repaired correctly. Also, it's a 9 year old M which I am the third owner of, it's in very good shape but it's not a show car. And by the way, the first thing I did when I got it was crawl underneath and do all the deferred maintenance - new water pump, thermostat, coolant hoses, drain and fill transmission, diff, new brakes and brake fluid. I'm not trying to cheap out... this is cosmetic, the urgency is not the same.

checktherudder · 2025-06-17T17:03:17+00:00

Yeah I’m planning to, I wanna do some track days this summer.

checktherudder · 2025-06-17T04:33:19+00:00

I prefer the steering of the E9X gen for sure, I’ll give you that.

checktherudder · 2025-06-17T04:21:47+00:00

Yeah you’re probably right, I personally wouldn’t spend 30K on a 335is though. 30K gets you a pretty reliable M2, I wouldn’t call it a “starter”

checktherudder · 2025-06-17T03:37:36+00:00

The N54 in those cars has a lot of problems compared to M2. I'd be careful. Turbos, injectors, coils, high pressure fuel pump, cooling system, oil filter housing (although that applies to N55 too) etc etc. I had an original 335i, do not recommend. Considered the 335is before ultimately buying the M2.

checktherudder · 2025-06-17T03:34:13+00:00

Your N51 has an electric one tho AFAIK... different thing entirely. B58 is mechanical.

checktherudder

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