Being subject to recurring noise on your car tends to be annoying, a car is so sophisticated that it is usually difficult to determine its origin and even more so to find the part that causes it. If you have already experienced a clicking noise on your Nissan Maxima, we will most likely be able to support you. Indeed, our editorial staff decided to write this document in order to review the main causes of a clicking noise on Nissan Maxima. This is why, firstly, we will look at what are the reasons of this type of noise coming from your engine block, then those of a noise coming from your direction and finally, the origins of clicking noise on Nissan Maxima coming from your suspensions.
I perceive a clicking noise on Nissan Maxima from my engine
Check your high engine
If you perceive a clicking noise on Nissan Maxima, and this noise is located at the top of the engine, it means that it comes from your cylinder head and its accompanying parts. Two parts can be the causes of these ticking noises on Nissan Maxima. Either the hydraulic pushers , in most cases it is because of their faulty “hydraulic catch-up” system that we will notice these clicking noises, often when cold and vanish when hot. Otherwise, it is the interplay of your rocker arms or their state of wear that is at issue. In this circumstance, remember to change them.
Check your low engine
If you have distinguished the region of source of the Nissan Maxima clikcing noises coming from your low engine, it may be that your rods or piston shafts are the causes. In both circumstances, the risk in the long term is the breakage of the motor. These two repairs are very complicated and most mechanics will encourage you to swap the engine of your Nissan Maxima.
Combustion problem
Finally, if you have the feeling that this clicking noise on Nissan Maxima is connected to the combustion of your engine, there are three possible reasons of it. Check the condition of your glow plugs which, if worn, can hinder the proper combustion of the fuel mixture. Then, it is plausible that your timing belt is shifted and that it does not properly manage the timing of the various engine parts to promote good combustion. And finally, the most classic cause, comes from your injection, which is either blocked or one or more injectors are destroyed. In this case, do not hesitate to check this document which deals in detail with the different injection sounds on Nissan Maxima.
I perceive a clicking noise on Nissan Maxima in my direction
Check the condition of the gimbals
One of the most regular causes of a clicking noises in the direction of your Nissan Maxima is connected to the direction of the car. Indeed, the cardans and their bellows are parts that are constantly stressed during your changes of direction or that you turn your wheels and a wear of one of them can create a ticking type of sound when you get closer to the stop zone of your steering. A bellows with holes will harm the cardan shaft very quickly and must be changed rapidly, otherwise the entire cardan shaft will have to be changed. Consider taking a look at it. If you would like more detailed information about gimbals noises on Nissan Maxima, do not hesitate to consult this complete guide.
Check the rest of your direction
Finally, when you experience a clicking noise on your Nissan Maxima, it is plausible that it is the direction that is involved. Just like the gimbals, the steering part is mobilized when you turn your wheels. If this is the case, the parts that may have been damaged due to normal wear and tear or impact (e. g. sidewalks) are steering rods, stabilizer bar silentblocks or steering triangles.
I perceive a clicking noise on Nissan Maxima coming from my suspensions
Check the suspension
If you experience a clicking noise on your Nissan Maxima each time you pass a speed bump, it is very plausible that your suspension block is the reason of the noise. Indeed, it may be the suspension cups, which, when they are outdated, have the rubber (silentbloc) that acts as a buffer and shock absorber for the upper part of the suspension that no longer fulfils its task and during small jolts that compress the suspensions. To verify if this is the issue that concerns you, take a dented road and, at low speed, listen to the noise coming from your front axle when you pass over holes. If these are the cups, consider changing them soon as this may affect other parts and require more expensive repairs.
Check spring and cylinder
If you detect a clicking noise on your Nissan Maxima at the suspension level, it is widely plausible that spring wear or shock cylinder deformation may be a reason. To verify the condition of the spring, position the car on a flat surface and measure that the heights from the ground to the bottom of the body are identical on each side (empty car for measurement). You can also verify between the front and rear, if there is a gap too significant it means that most likely your springs are worn, if you see a leak go a little further in the article to have the answer to this problem. For the cylinder the verification is visual, be sure that it seems to work in a straight axis. And that there is no angle that would alter its proper functioning. If one of them breaks in both situations, you should think about changing it or them. If you have the feeling that this noise is more like a squeaking noise on Nissan Maxima than a clicking noise, don’t hesitate to consult this article.
