Front grinding noise - 1996 Nissan Quest

Without a description of the noise, this is impossible to diagnose. Common problem with these vehicles is a "grinding" type noise. This will be a bearing that has gone bad or brake pads that are beyond the service life (louder screeching or grinding upon braking). Popping noises are the CV drive axles are bad (noise is typically louder when when the vehicle is in motion and turning).

most likely a front hub [wheel bearing ]going bad but jack up front side that is causing problem and try to move tire in and out with hands at top and bottom of tire and listen and feel for noise or excess movement it to much movement remove tire an check the upper and lower ball joints as well as the shock/strut but check brakes grinding can also mean pads are metal to rotor but usually grinding and thumping is related to a bad hub

BAD WHEEL BEARINGS OR FRONT BRAKE SHOES WORN UNTIL FRONT SHOES GRINDING ON BRAKE ROTORS CAUSING GRINDING NOISE.

sound like front wheel bearings badly worn.

yes the spiders can make this noise or the DIFF carrier bearings

IF THE NOISE IS IN THE FRONT AND ONLY WHEN WHEELS ARE TURNING AND THE GRINDING NOISE CHANGES WHEN TURNING LFT. OR RGHT. COULD BE FRONT WHEEL BEARING..OR CV JOINT..

mine did the samething you have check if there is any transmission fluid in your transfer case. because i didn't and i put more in and the grinding went away.

the front pads got overheated and cracked causing the grind noise when the pads got hot, i resurfaced the rotors and installed new front pads and now the noise is gone

grinding on front wheel is caused by 2 things. a bad or loose wheel bearing,or worn out brakes, have them both checked
You might also want to check the level of fluid in the power steering reservoir - low or lack of fluid will also cause a noise (although more of a whining than a grinding).