Maxima clunking when idling in drive

[Converged]

Hey everyone, wondering if I could get some advice.
I have a 99 Maxima with 200k..has ran like a dream until today. Whenever I am stopped at a red light in drive, I feel the engine making small clunks, almost as if it is trying to shift. It does it when the engine is both warm and cold. I dont notice the problem at all in any other gears. RPM's in N are about 900 and 700 in drive (when warm). When I notice the 'clunking', the RPMs move a tiny bit as well. Anyone have any ideas?

[Pete_Coach]

Right off the top of my head, it sounds like a motor mount. Do you hear the "clunk" or feel it in the steering wheel or pedals? While driving, when you quickly take your foot off the gas or put it on the gas, can you feel the "clunk" too?

[executor]

Right off the top of my head, it sounds like a motor mount. Do you hear the "clunk" or feel it in the steering wheel or pedals? While driving, when you quickly take your foot off the gas or put it on the gas, can you feel the "clunk" too?

hey pete, i have some clunking as well. it seems to be coming from the rear drivers side of the vehicle. i first noticed it turning left out of the driveway at a very slight incline. i usually only get it after making a turn but the frequency has started to escalate. i don't think it is a motor mount, the only other thing i can guess at is something with the axle/ wheel in the back?

[Converged]

Right off the top of my head, it sounds like a motor mount. Do you hear the "clunk" or feel it in the steering wheel or pedals? While driving, when you quickly take your foot off the gas or put it on the gas, can you feel the "clunk" too?

thanks for the response. I dont hear the clunk, but I feel it...almost like a hard shift that shakes the car slightly. When I am stopped at a red light and take off, sometimes I feel the clunk right when I accelerate, but works fine once I get going.

[Pete_Coach]

hey pete, i have some clunking as well. it seems to be coming from the rear drivers side of the vehicle. i first noticed it turning left out of the driveway at a very slight incline. i usually only get it after making a turn but the frequency has started to escalate. i don't think it is a motor mount, the only other thing i can guess at is something with the axle/ wheel in the back?
Clicking while turning is often the CV (constant velocity) joint on the drive axle. Eventually you will feel a "jerking: in the steering wheel that coincides with the clicking noise.

thanks for the response. I dont hear the clunk, but I feel it...almost like a hard shift that shakes the car slightly. When I am stopped at a red light and take off, sometimes I feel the clunk right when I accelerate, but works fine once I get going.
That makes me think a motor mount even more. These are difficult to inspect unless you have a hoist. Unfortunately, you may have to take it in to a mechanic.

[Converged]

Will do! Thanks for the help!

[executor]

Clicking while turning is often the CV (constant velocity) joint on the drive axle. Eventually you will feel a "jerking: in the steering wheel that coincides with the clicking noise.


how long can you let this go, is it a costly repair and is it dangerous? any easy way for a noob diy'er to diagnose this?

[rchong]

maybe the a/c is on because you have the setting on defogger...

[Pete_Coach]

how long can you let this go, is it a costly repair and is it dangerous? any easy way for a noob diy'er to diagnose this?
I am not sure you should try this. It has been a long time since I repalced any and never done a Maxima but it should require you to take the weight off the engine, significant prying and some serious hammer work. I am sure you do not want to be underneath on jackstands doing this.
maybe the a/c is on because you have the setting on defogger...
You are right, the A/C makes a "clicking" sound as it comes on or cycles but it is not related to nor in concert with turning the vehicle. It can be the A/C though.