BC coilover clunking noise fix + front driver side wheel play fixed

Cruiser

Cruiser

Infiniti fan for life
Premium
Location
Katy, TX
Car
2007 FX35 AWD
Hi guys. So last weekend, when driving off from work for home, I heard some sort of metal crunching noise from under the vehicle on the driver's side. I pulled on the side of the road and did a visual inspection but nothing seems to be an issue. I continued and drove about 40 - 5o miles as I picked up errands along the way. The noise would come and go at various interval. When I arrived home, I jacked up the car and noticed the driver's side wheel had some side to side play. While attempting to dismount the wheel, the wheel lock key broke on me and split open.

I was not able to fully diagnosed the issue since I can't take off the wheels. I thought it was just some loose lug nuts. My replacement key came today and ad the chance to unmounts the wheel. There was still this fraction play on the wheel while the right side feels rock solid and does not have any play at all. I drove the car around after tightening the lug nuts according to specs and did not notice the cracking noise I heard the first time. However, the wheel play is still noticeable. The play is only a fraction but noticeable when I move the wheels from side to side.

See attached video. Any help or comments or suggestions on the possible root cause is greatly appreciated. Thanks..

[video=youtube;5ttBCur_dcU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ttBCur_dcU[/video]
 
Viperi said:
how long have you had the rims for? looks like your hubs are the wrong size or wrong lug nut type
Click to expand...

I installed the rims since August 2014. The bore is slightly bigger than stock and I have hubcentric rings on the wheels. The lug nut was recommended by a mechanic. How can I validate these are indeed correct?

Thanks.

---------- Post added at 10:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:19 PM ----------
Claybob86 said:
Can you see the rotor moving with the play in the wheel? If the rotor is moving as well it may be the hub.
Click to expand...
Yes. The rotor moves with the wheel not independently.

---------- Post added at 10:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:20 PM ----------

I have an early morning appointment with a local shop near my place. My question really, is it safe to drive the vehicle in this condition?

---------- Post added at 10:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:21 PM ----------

Additional info on my suspension set up: I have BC coilovers professionally installed by a tuner shop and running 30mm Ichiba hubcentric wheel spacers. The CO is about 4+ years old.
 
Most likely the hub bearing is shot, i have never seen it that bad! It is not safe to drive, but if you must, keep it well under speed limits and don't make sudden turns and WOT
 
I also think its the hub bearing. Have you check the axle nut? With that much play there, I bet if you remove the wheel you should still be able to see movement if you wiggle the rotor alone. It should be ok to drive it to a local shop if I have to.
 
la_fx35 said:
I also think its the hub bearing. Have you check the axle nut? With that much play there, I bet if you remove the wheel you should still be able to see movement if you wiggle the rotor alone. It should be ok to drive it to a local shop if I have to.
Click to expand...

I completely removed the wheel yesterday and the play is still noticeable when I moved the bare rotors. The movement is not from a loose rotor as it still seats firmly.

---------- Post added at 09:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:03 AM ----------

Thanks for the inputs and the concern gents. I decided to drop it off to a trusted Nissan dealership near me since Infiniti shares many parts with Nissan. My Service Advisor also said the same thing and suspected it a bad hub bearing. He told me if they don't carry the replacement part, they will pick it up for me from Infiniti and will hopefully to get my vehicle out within the same day. Fingers crossed. I will update accordingly.
 
My service adviser just called me. It is not the hub bearings but a bad ball socket. Replacement with wheel alignment out the door at $350. Whew! It could have been a lot more or could be worse...
 
Sounds about right, because in the video it was too wobbly especialy at 9 and 3 oclock position which was really odd because thats mostly steering rod issues
 
Both issues would have similar symptoms. I was surprised with the video myself. On my POV inspection, the play was not that much but the video tells a different story. I hope I can have the vehicle back today. The part is expected to arrive at around 3pm and the mechanic that specializes this task is leaving at 4pm so it is really very close. The dealership is also out of loaners.
 
Picked up the car this morning and tested the wheel for any signs of play. None whatsoever and it feels rock solid. I drove the car today starting with moderate driving and switching to aggressive driving to check the feel of the ride being pushed. So far it remains composed with no issues I have experienced prior. Now she is back on the road where she rightfully belongs. :good::good::good:
 
If they show similar symptoms, how would we know if it's the hub bearings or bad ball socket?

Sent from my SGH-M919
 
Cruiser said:
Picked up the car this morning and tested the wheel for any signs of play. None whatsoever and it feels rock solid. I drove the car today starting with moderate driving and switching to aggressive driving to check the feel of the ride being pushed. So far it remains composed with no issues I have experienced prior. Now she is back on the road where she rightfully belongs. :good::good::good:
Click to expand...

did they perform and alignment after? changing the lower control arm balll joint can mess up your toe

---------- Post added at 10:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:48 AM ----------
g0ldm4g3 said:
If they show similar symptoms, how would we know if it's the hub bearings or bad ball socket?

Sent from my SGH-M919
Click to expand...

visual inspection and crowbar worness check for the ball joint. Also you would feel it while driving, your car will be all over the road.
 
Dracula said:
did they perform and alignment after? changing the lower control arm balll joint can mess up your toe
Click to expand...

Yup. They did the alignment. I also had the outer tie rods and ball joint on the front passenger side replaced in 2013. Back then it only cost me $280, now they charged me $350. I probably would have to pay more if I took the vehicle to Infiniti.
 
Pretty sure the lower ball joint on our car is come attached to the lower control arm as one piece. So they replace the entire lower control arm for $350?
 
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