2001 front suspension knocking noise

[bentley2200]

I have a 2001 pathfinder, with 160kms on it, and have recently been hearing a knocking noise coming from the front suspension when going over bumps on the road. I jacked it up at took a look all the sway bar links and tie rod ends look nice a tight. The strut boot that covers the shock have torn on both sides, and i'm thinking that they might be the problem, i'm not sure how to tell if the ball joints are bad either, I don't want to replace the struts if there not the problem. Any help would be great. Thanks

[01PathLE]

I had this problem and I had a frozen strut! Replaced both front ones and its been great ever since!

[Hooligan]

It sounds like bad ball joints. Millage is about right. Have somebody shake the wheel top to bottom with the wheel off the ground while you are watching the ball joint. Any slop will be obvious.

[brht27]

Agree with the above post. 12 and 6 check ball joints. 3 and 9 checks tie rods. I would check the bearings too, you never know.

[smj999smj]

To check ball joints, you will need to jack up under the control arm and raise the wheel off the ground. Use a large prybar or long pipe to lift up on the bottom of the wheel and back down repeatedly while someone looks at the ball joint and checks for excessive play. Simply raising the front wheels off the ground and checking "12 to 6" is more of a check for play in wheel bearings. Also, if you haven't had it done yet, check with Nissan for a recall on the front strut towers.