2012 Sentra Front Thumping Noise?

2012 NISSAN SENTRA
114,655 MILES • 2.0L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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[email protected]
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Yesterday, I was backing my daughter's Sentra into my driveway when I heard what initially sounded like a clicking noise. Thinking that it might be a CV axle issue, I drove down into my neighborhood cul-de-sac and did several turns with the steering wheel turned all the way to the left and right.I did not hear the clicking sound. As I backed the car into the driveway, I heard a loud thumping sound. When I paused, the noise went away and when I shifted into other gears (including neutral and park), there was no noise. When I continued backing, the noise returned. It was so loud inside the vehicle, I was able to record it with my cellphone, which I have included.

The noise sounded like it was coming from the left front of the vehicle.

Thank you.
Dec 9, 2025 at 12:54 PM
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STRAILER
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Good call with the video but I don't see it here can you reload it, it takes some time. It can be have an engine toque mount that needs to be replaced. When this mount goes out the engine can move excessively which will make the noise. If you lift the hood and watch the engine as you have a helper get in the car with there foot on the brake and then shift the car from drive to park you should be able to see the engine move, (it should only be a little bit) is you get big swings back and fourth the toque mount is bad.
Dec 10, 2025 at 10:12 AM
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[email protected]
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Thank you for your response. I tried to upload the video yesterday, however, it did not work. I entered my question a second time and it seemed the video loaded. However, I am not certain that you saw the latter question.
Dec 10, 2025 at 10:46 AM
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No sorry, I didn't see the other question with the video. So this noise you are hearing are you driving or is the engine just running in park that you hear the noise from? If that is the noise in the video it is not the engine mounts, also can you tell where it is coming from?
Dec 11, 2025 at 9:48 AM
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[email protected]
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Good evening. I only heard it when I was backing. It sounded like it was coming from the left front of the vehicle.

After I sent the above paragraph, I went out, drove the car around, and then backed into the driveway at a faster speed. The attached recording is the sound I heard.
Dec 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
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Nice! That video helps a lot, it sounds like the CV axle has gone out, the front brake caliper is loose or the wheel itself is loose. I would raise the car in the front and remove the left front wheel to inspect for the problem. This video can help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLFn_bMkZc0

If everything look okay, I would replace the CV axle, (these can go bad even though they are not leaking). Please go over this guide and get back to us.
Dec 12, 2025 at 8:26 AM
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AARP209
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CV axle. Plenty of tsb’s out for all years and models. Currently dealing with it myself. Pay attention to the axle nuts and their conditions on each side. Also, pay attention to your steering components. My tie rod separated Friday. It was a good day or I would not be sharing this. :)
Dec 14, 2025 at 7:43 AM
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Thanks for the input, I am still waiting to hear back to see if the CV axle fixed it.
Dec 15, 2025 at 10:44 AM
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AARP209
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I’m actually getting mine done this week along with the tie rods. I do know that my struts are ok their way as well. I’ll chime in since we both have similar situations but hopefully yours isn’t as bad as mine, another tip, watch for carbon build up. Just replaced my engine a week and a half ago for failing to know much about it and thinking I was taking all the precautions and thinking I was on my way to fixing it.
Dec 16, 2025 at 2:41 PM
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Researched the TSB for my vehicle. Followed all the instructions, including greasing both axles and replacing both axle nuts, and replacing the brake hardware on both sides. Road tested this afternoon. No more thumping and clicking sounds.

Thank you. You've been a lifesaver.

Be well!
Dec 16, 2025 at 3:12 PM
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Excellent! Thanks for letting us know, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
Dec 17, 2025 at 9:08 AM