what is wrong???

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bowtie
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what is wrong???

Postby bowtie » Wed Aug 07, 2013 12:24 pm

Hello everyone first timer here. I have a 2006 SE 4x4 with about 65k miles. I live in northern Indiana and the roads arent the greatest due to the plows during the winter. I'm trying to figure out why this thing feels so scary when I hit a bump at highway speeds. I did a search but most that were experiencing same problems were much older threads.

If i'm cruising at around 60 with cruise control on and hit a decent bump (its hard to explain this) it feels like the rear bottoms out and sways hard and most of the time slip will light up on the control panel and cruise control will shut off.

From what I've read maybe billstein shocks and struts may solve this? Maybe adding bags to the rear will help more?

I really love this pathfinder but this ride quality has me wanting to get rid of it.

For those of you that have a solution or some tips, what parts and or part numbers should I look at so I can weigh my options on what to do?

Thanks for your time


skinny2
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Postby skinny2 » Wed Aug 07, 2013 2:27 pm

I would certainly start with rear shocks and airbags. Cheap fix and worth it no matter what. How long have you owned the PF and how long has this been going on? Alignment issues can make these jump around as well. Mine will start getting jumpy over bumps and I'll take it in for an alignment and it will be good for awhile. I have never had it so severe it turned off my cruise or set the slip light though!

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doctahjones
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Postby doctahjones » Wed Aug 07, 2013 7:14 pm

i'd also maybe do the sway bar bushings if you're noticing alot of body roll. they're cheap (should be less than $20 for all 4) and it's so easy -anyone- can do it.

how to on the front:
http://www.thenissanpath.com/viewtopic. ... c&start=15


how to on the rear:
http://www.thenissanpath.com/viewtopic.php?t=7801

bowtie
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Postby bowtie » Thu Aug 08, 2013 3:05 pm

skinny2 wrote:I would certainly start with rear shocks and airbags. Cheap fix and worth it no matter what. How long have you owned the PF and how long has this been going on? Alignment issues can make these jump around as well. Mine will start getting jumpy over bumps and I'll take it in for an alignment and it will be good for awhile. I have never had it so severe it turned off my cruise or set the slip light though!
I've only owned it about 2 mos and apparently I bought it this way. I live in a city where top speed achieved daily may be 45mph. I didnt notice this until about a month after I got it when I started doing some highway driving or country driving.

I think it may need an alignment cause the steering wheel is off to the right just a tad when driving

bowtie
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Postby bowtie » Thu Aug 08, 2013 3:07 pm

doctahjones wrote:i'd also maybe do the sway bar bushings if you're noticing alot of body roll. they're cheap (should be less than $20 for all 4) and it's so easy -anyone- can do it.

how to on the front:
http://www.thenissanpath.com/viewtopic. ... c&start=15


how to on the rear:
http://www.thenissanpath.com/viewtopic.php?t=7801
i do notice some body roll but more of the side to side rock when i hit a decent sized bump.

Im highly considering doing shocks and struts with the airbag 1000 kit in the rear and will have the bushings in the sway bars maybe replaced as well

charliecain
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2006 sways bad at 55-60mph

Postby charliecain » Fri Aug 09, 2013 12:24 am

I have the same problem with my 2006 pathfinder sport @ 65000 miles also, I just changed the lower control arms yesterday. It's in at the tracking and camber shop today. I'll let you know how it goes. Interestingly my steering wheel is slightly to the right.

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disallow
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Postby disallow » Fri Aug 09, 2013 8:37 am

had this issue due to a worn outer tie rod end on my 05.

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ivanqz
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Postby ivanqz » Fri Aug 16, 2013 10:20 am

I had a similar issue when i just got my Path with 65K miles.
It was a blown shock in the rear. Don't know if it was left or right.
Hope this helps

bowtie
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Postby bowtie » Thu Jan 02, 2014 8:30 am

figured i would bump this thread cause i now have the funds to fix whatever is wrong with my pathfinder cause the ride is completely terrible.

What shocks would you guys recommend? Also it seems like i need the airbag 1000 kit?

I have a local 4x4 shop that seems very highly recommended by most in my area that is willing to swap whatever parts i need but I also dont want to throw unnecessary money at it also.

I'm also going to have the alignment done as well but im willing to bet the shocks are in dire need of replacement.

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NVSteve
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Postby NVSteve » Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:34 am

Shocks are not a bad idea at all, but seriously, get the alignment done. Even brand new with only a couple of miles on it, mine was doing the same thing when going over bumps at speed (very noticeable while turning at speed). Shocks might help dampen that a bit, but you will have always have it, albeit to a much lesser degree if the alignment is spot on & shocks are good.

If your local 4x4 shop is any good, they will inspect your shocks to see if they are up to par or not. If they won't, take it in to a place that specializes in shocks/struts/suspension and see what they say. If you do need to get the shocks replaced, go with whichever brand you want. I started with crappy OEM Rancho shocks, replaced those with OME (Old Man Emu) until one of them failed, and now run Monroe on the rear of all things-surprisingly, the Monroe give me a much better ride than either the Rancho or OME did.

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disallow
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Postby disallow » Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:46 am

I'm entertaining doing all 4 corners of shocks/struts on my rig. The rear bilsteins are about 3 yrs old, and are probably fine, but whatever, they are cheap and easy.

I checked 4x4parts.com, where I got the bilstein rears last time, and it will be $375 shipped. These are for bilstein 4600s.

Rock auto has KYB GR-2s, all 4 for $264 shipped.

Any opinions on which way to go?

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Touchdown
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Postby Touchdown » Thu Jan 02, 2014 2:33 pm

After reading through this thread...

I'm thinking it's the rear springs.
The stock ones were always soft and squishy anyway. If you ever see a stock pathy that has a few miles on it, it always rides low in the back.
I'm thinking he hit the top of the wheel wells going over those deep potholes. It could have caused the anti-slip to triggered and there-by automatically turning off the cruise.

So shocks will help if yours are worn, but aftermarket springs and the airlift 1000 with a few lbs in it should shore up any problems back there! 8)

bowtie
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Postby bowtie » Fri Jan 03, 2014 7:10 am

Touchdown wrote:After reading through this thread...

I'm thinking it's the rear springs.
The stock ones were always soft and squishy anyway. If you ever see a stock pathy that has a few miles on it, it always rides low in the back.
I'm thinking he hit the top of the wheel wells going over those deep potholes. It could have caused the anti-slip to triggered and there-by automatically turning off the cruise.

So shocks will help if yours are worn, but aftermarket springs and the airlift 1000 with a few lbs in it should shore up any problems back there! 8)
Im thinking its a combination of springs and shocks. Would I still need the airbag kit if i go with a different set of springs in the rear? Which springs would you guys recommend?

bowtie
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Postby bowtie » Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:49 pm

would any of the deluxe packages that 4x4parts.com sells that includes billstein shocks and struts and new rear coils and a airbag 1000 give me a better ride?

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Touchdown
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Postby Touchdown » Sat Jan 04, 2014 9:15 am

I can't speak for the deluxe packages specifically, but a lot of us have some pieces of those and are happy with them.

I have the PRG Shocks in the back with the 4x4 Parts Springs. (Although I didn't seem to get a full 2" lift from the springs) And I'm using the PRG Spacers in the front with the stock shocks.


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