My vehicle: 2004 G35X with 102,000 miles

There is a constant clicking noise that starts when driving 70 MPH or more for an extended period (ie on the highway). The noise is coming from the front of the vehicle, towards the driver side, and it may be from the axle.

Furthermore, I'm certain one of the front bearings needs to be replaced (standard bearing roaring noise).

1. Do you think the clicking at 70 MPH+ is also due to the bad bearing?
2. If you don't think the clicking noise is from the bearing, any ideas what is causing the clicking noise?

Overall, I'm totally glad to spend $500 or so to replace the bearing if that will stop the clicking. However, if the clicking is from a larger, more expensive issue (ie transfer case, transmission, etc), I'd rather just get a new car.

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

 

Really hard to diagnose noises over the internet. We can speculate all day what an arbitrary click from an engine bay with hundreds of moving parts is.

Have you actually pulled the wheel off and inspected the area for anything?

Not trying to be an ***, but we can throw out guesses all day and not even be close

 

this car has so many clicking noises i've just gave up on it.

i do not consider this a luxury or even entry luxury car. it lacks so much refinement, it's not even funny.

this is just a rear wheel drive nissan in my book.

And for this, i think it's a great value.

 

Have you checked your compression rod bushings ? These tend to go bad on our cars and make a ticking/clicking sound when doing so, at higher speeds you can hear it click faster, as each road imperfection triggers the sound.

 

Thanks you all for the replies.

My primary question: do you think the clicking at 70 MPH+ may be caused by the bad bearing? Based off other threads, it seems as though bearings go bad on 1st generation G35s often. Has anyone else who had a bearing go bad and experienced clicking at 70+ MPH?

Thanks for the heads up on the common compression rod bushings issue. It seems like the clicking noise may be independent of road imperfections, not 100% sure though. I'll definitely listen closer next time I'm on the highway and check into the compression rod bushings issue further.

 

My failed wheel bearing was more of a roar. No clicking.

 

Axle has some major bearing that has a DIY fix it yourself here.

 

I think it's either a hub or axle assembly causing your noise. My only other bet is that it might be your front drive shaft, from the transfer case to the front diff. This may be out of balance, or the u-joints may simply be worn, in which case you'll just need to replace the whole thing.

My craziest thought is that you have bad coils/wires, and you are hearing some crossfire. Crossfire is most likely more prominent at higher operating temps, when the electrical insulating properties of the rubber wires break down, which may be why you hear it on extended highway trips. However, you should also notice this after heat soak, i.e., after driving it and parking it for several minutes and then re-starting it.

 

something stuck in the tire lol.