smj999smj wrote:I would recommend getting the whole control arm, if the bushings or ball joint is indeed the problem. I would also get some new bolts from Nissan as there's a good chance the old ones could be seized to the bushing sleeve and will need to be cut out.
That said, before buying any parts, try this: pop the hood and locate the catch that engages the hood latch on the bottom of the hood. Take a rag with a little brake cleaner or acetone and clean off the dirt and let it dry. Take a 6-inch piece of electrical tape and wrap it tightly around the part of the catch that engages the latch. When done, close the hood and road test to see if the noise is gone. If it's not, then go ahead with the control arm replacement. A common problem on 2005 and later Pathfinder/Xterra/Frontiers is the plastic coating on the latch wears off and causes a metal-to-metal "squeak" that sounds very much like a front suspension noise.
I ended up cleaning the hood latch catch and putting 6 inches of electrical tape around the section that strikes the latch, and cleaned the latch and put silicone on it, but the noise was definitely still there and coming from the front end.
The mechanic says the culprit is the front shocks. However the shocks are not leaking?
NYC streets are destroying this truck...