Vibration in steering wheel.

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Preacher
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Vibration in steering wheel.

Postby Preacher » Mon May 25, 2020 7:59 am

I was gifted a non-running 2004 Pathfinder. I have put in a lot of work to get it running again. The problem that I'm chasing down right now is a vibration in the steering wheel 40mph and above. Can't feel anything until I'm at 40mph. I thought it was the bearings so I replaced the front wheel bearings on yesterday, the I rotated the tires. None of this worked. The tires are new with less than 50 miles on them. I'm kinda tired of throwing parts at the problem and getting nowhere. Is there something else I should be looking at?


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palmerwmd
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Postby palmerwmd » Mon May 25, 2020 10:39 am

I once had this exact problem with a 05 Xterra.
Kept throwing parts at it ..
dealer couldn't figure it out and neither could an independent.

Then I did the last thing left to do.. new shocks.. problem fixed.

Not saying its your issue but both dealer and independent had thought shocks "good" yet they were the cause.
Of course thats not a cheap part to do on a whim.

Maybe u can find low mile junkyard ones to try for cheap?

Preacher
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Postby Preacher » Mon May 25, 2020 3:42 pm

I'm new to this truck. I put new shocks on the rear. Are you talking about the struts on the front?

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smj999smj
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Postby smj999smj » Tue May 26, 2020 9:35 pm

I'm pretty sure he means the front struts. Speaking of which, go to Nissan's site and do a recall check using your VIN # as there was a recall for the front strut towers on these Pathfinders. Check your inner and outer tie rods for excessive play and check for play in the steering rack & pinion mount bushings, which can deteriorate over time and let the R&P "walk" while turn the steering wheel. There is a way you can check the R&P tension and adjust it, but you need a tension gauge in order to do it (procedure is in the factory service manual).

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palmerwmd
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Postby palmerwmd » Wed May 27, 2020 8:35 am

Preacher wrote:I'm new to this truck. I put new shocks on the rear. Are you talking about the struts on the front?
yeah sorry, it was struts on the front, not shocks.
It was complete assemblies that I got lightly used off a forum member.

Not saying 100% your problem is the same... but it certainly reminds of me my issue.

Preacher
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Postby Preacher » Wed May 27, 2020 11:52 am

palmerwmd wrote:
Preacher wrote:I'm new to this truck. I put new shocks on the rear. Are you talking about the struts on the front?
yeah sorry, it was struts on the front, not shocks.
It was complete assemblies that I got lightly used off a forum member.

Not saying 100% your problem is the same... but it certainly reminds of me my issue.
My mechanic drove it and believes that the vibration in the drive line. I have an appointment at a local transmission shop Friday (they are specialist in transmissions and driveline). Hopefully the prognosis will be u-joints on the front driveshaft.

Preacher
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Postby Preacher » Wed Jun 03, 2020 9:30 am

Found out that the front drive shaft needed new u-joints. Shop did the work (along with replacing some broken studs) and now the truck runs great. Now it's cleaned up and looking kinda spiffy. It ain't the youngest gal at the ball, but it will turn a few heads!!
Image

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palmerwmd
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Postby palmerwmd » Thu Jun 04, 2020 1:13 am

Glad to hear about your positive outcome!!
Hope it dindt hurt the pocket book too much...

yes pesky front end vibrations are sometimes hard to chase down.... since there are so many possible causes.

PS: Your Pathy looks great! :D

Preacher
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Postby Preacher » Thu Jun 04, 2020 5:42 am

I don't know what the rules are here about posting links, but there are 2 that helped me to get this done as inexpensively as possible. I'm a huge fan of salvage yards and discount parts sites. They were so much cheaper than my local parts houses. Since I have more time than money I didn't mind the 3 or 4 day wait for shipping when I needed something. For example, my local parts dealer wanted $87.99 per side for front calipers. I got them online for $30 per caliper. That is a huge savings and allows me to do more work with the savings. The fender was a matter of searching online until I found one from a truck the same color. I'm no mechanic but I have tools and am not afraid to get dirty so I did most of the work myself.


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