Ok, have a question I'll put up here because so far the Nissan forum has been totally useless for tech info lol, and I'm completely baffled on it now.

My wife's 2000 Maxima SE has been making a grinding sound from the front right. Only happens every once in a while, can't really reproduce it on demand. Thought it was a dragging caliper from the sound, but it's fine. Checked the wheel bearing, there's no play, doesn't make different noise as the car turns or anything. Now I'm thinking more along the lines of a CV joint, but the boot looks fine other than seeping a little bit of grease out the clamped-closed end.

Would you say tha car makes this noise when you press on the brake pedal?

If this is the case you could consider the wear of the pads of even the quality of the brake pads that are installed. you also have to consider looking at the rotors themselves. sometimes rotor rust a lot on the inside "Engine side of rotor" this can be seen by taking out the caliper and cheking the inside of the rotor visually and by sliding a finger on it to look for any rough parts or areas that look rusted.

I hope you find the proble and I wish this helps a little!

Good luck on that problem.

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No, seems unaffected by brakes. Besides, I just put new rotors and pads on a few months ago, because the old ones were just absolutely demolished. Like you said, they had rusted away on the inside, worst ones I had ever seen. I double checked everything to make sure though. Pads and rotors are O'reilly's brand, their "gold" or whatever ceramic pads.

Thanks for the pointer, any advice is good advice

If you think it is the axle turn your vehicle as hard as you can in one direction and go forward, then keep the wheel locked and go backwards. If you hear a clicking sound it is your axle. Do it for both left and right. It is possible theat the boot is fine but the internals are shot.

^ I agree with this about the boot being fine but the internals being shot. A "little seeping" means that if something's getting out, something could be getting in. Could very well be that your CV joint is just starting to dry up and with the road debris that could be in there, could be causing this noise you're hearing. I *think* if it was a bearing, you'd hear a high pitched whirring sound and not the grinding noise you're hearing. I'm not positive about that though.