I'm having the same problem after I installed my tein stech springs I replaced the strut mount, struts, and made it a direct swap for the front so I could put my oem suspension back in if I needed to for the yearly safety check in Hawaii and I also got a alignment and still rattling and crazy steering wheel shake at freeway speeds I checked the balance and tires for separation

 

Here is my issue

 

I've got the same problem... 2004 AWD 104K. The car rattles when ever I hit even a small bump. When I had it checked pre-purchase the guy said it was the stabilizer link but when I took it to my mechanic, he said it was tight and that the strut was worn and the bushing on the right side was bad. Just replaced both strut assemblies complete and some of the rattle is gone but much remains... any bump and it sounds loose. I had my mechanic check everything he could think of and he said he "took a crowbar" to every thing and it's all tight and he's got no idea what might be causing it. (he's not an Infiniti specialist)

I've been searching and reading everything I could find so am wondering about the control arm bushings.. which I'm learning are defective. Have no idea if the ones in the car are the original or replacements. Also, in checking parts, I've learned there are two types of control arms... the lower rearward and the upper but I can't seem to find out which one has these defective press on bushings. Looks like I might be better off replacing the entire control arms as they aren't too expensive..even for OEM quality brands. So, would these appear tight even if they were bad?

I'm wondering if the stabilizer link could still be the problem even though it appears tight to my mechanic.
thanks

 

Try compression rod bushings, those have been known to fail and make noises and they usually look okay even after they fail until some load is put on them... The steering wheel shake might be warped rotors or something else entirely as I can't think of anything which would both rattle the suspension and shake your wheel... one is something loose under dynamic conditions, the other is a rotational imbalance.

Sway bar end links (you're calling them stabilizer links) will usually wear out at around your mileage and result in popping and clunking over bumps so I'd replace those either way if you have cash to throw around since you're going to have to soon anyways. They're very easy to replace, don't pay a mechanic to do them unless you're rich.

Don't replace your control arms, instead have the bushings replaced with poly bushings from Whiteline or Energy and the ball joints done and you have control arms which should last the remaining life of the car with better than OEM performance.

If that doesn't fix your problem, you can try new compression rods, or have Whiteline poly bushings pressed onto the old ones if the non replaceable balljoint is in good health.

I have 120k miles.... steering wheel shakes at speeds between 70-80 (warped front rotor), horrible clunking noises from the rear over every pothole (rear struts, end links), whining at 40 mph (diff? Wheel bearings?) and occasional clunks from the front when braking and steering (compression rod bushings). I've got a pile of parts building up waiting for warmer weather to install all at once. I suggest you do the same or you'll always be hunting for a different squeak or rattle, at least from my experience from an 04 with similar mileage... granted my car has been a Northeast daily all its life with all of the salty, potholed implications of such.