The Nissan Path

Just took my new-to-me 2005 Pathfinder offroading for the first time this weekend, nothing too aggressive, just forest service roads.

Handled well, scraped the subframe cross bar and the hitch a couple times but nothing too bad. 2.5" quick lift on order anyways.

So, the problem is that now when driving on the roads, I'm hearing an annoying clunking. It doesn't seem to happen only when turning, it happens anytime really, not just over bumps or anything.

Doesn't seem to have any particular pattern, it's like a little hammer is getting hit on the metal at the front every few random seconds...

Where do I start?

is something banging around loose because of the missing skidplate?

I will look under it today, it doesn't feel like it's something hanging loose though, it feels suspension related for some reason.

What are the famously weak things on these cars? I heard u-joints is one, what else is there?

Would those make the noises I'm describing?

Check your front sway bar mount bushings. The original ones would wear and allow the bar to contact the chassis. Nissan updated the bushings to prevent this from happening. There's a TSB on the issue if this is your problem; the mount bushings are only a few dollars.

Thanks guys, will check it out tonight!