Bottoming out question

[Pathy415]

This is my second Pathfinder and my previous one (99.5 LE) also did the same thing and I'm well of aware that this is common for R50's. I checked the bump stops and they are completely toast, naturally.

I've read of one solution is the put in airbags but don't really want to go that route. I've heard it's mostly due to worn springs? Struts are a couple years old so that shouldn't be a cause right? Also, don't really want a lift kit just stock height while minimizing the bottoming out issue.

Anyone have good solutions as well as good bump stops to use? If you do can you please post part numbers, mfg, or websites?

Thanks in advance!

[atraudes]

Unless you have a need for airbags, new springs will be perfectly satisfactory. They get softer with age, so new ones will firm things up really nicely. Shocks also won't make a difference because they don't affect ride height, they only temper movement.

The first vacation I went on in mine had it close to bottoming out the whole way. The trip after I replaced the coils I loaded it up with twice as much stuff and it sagged half as much. It was well worth the $40 If you are planning on hauling loads somewhat regularly, you may want to look into medium or heavy duty coils.

As for bump stops, a few people have replaced them with polyurethane units sourced from Jeeps and what have you. I just bought an OEM set, though the price was a little hard to swallow.

[Pathy415]

That's what I figured, that springs should do the job. Do you remember what brand coils and part number you used?

I was thinking about these http://www.4x4parts.com/i-18981486-path ... coils.html or I heard MOOG makes a decent replacement set

Yeah, I saw the OEM set on Amazon, might have to bite the bullet and get those as well

[atraudes]

Man that's a lot more than I spent I'm sure they're high quality and all, but dang!

I used Moog 81115 in the rear and 81302 in the front. The front coils seemed to be a little big at the top but I haven't had any problems, so no complaints otherwise I guess.

[Pathy415]

Thanks atraudes!

Yeah, those look a bit pricey so I was looking at the moog and they seem like a good deal.

Did you ever change out the rubber insulators for the rear springs that or did you just re-use the stock ones? if you happened to use new ones do you remember the part #'s for those?

Thanks again!

[Hawairish]

Those springs are actually the OMEs. 4x4parts/AC is annoying like that...they mask their brands. The more expensive springs are their in-house 2" spring.

For your problem, it's actually more likely worn shocks. Reason is that springs support the weight, shocks dampen it. But one fatigued part fatigues the other over time. Sagging springs will also decrease the already-small gap between bumpstop and axle, which then kills the bumpstops.

The OE bumpstops are fine, and as mentioned in the link, they should be treated as a consumable item (especially on stock vehicles).

[Pathy415]

Those springs are actually the OMEs. 4x4parts/AC is annoying like that...they mask their brands. The more expensive springs are their in-house 2" spring.

For your problem, it's actually more likely worn shocks. Reason is that springs support the weight, shocks dampen it. But one fatigued part fatigues the other over time. Sagging springs will also decrease the already-small gap between bumpstop and axle, which then kills the bumpstops.

The OE bumpstops are fine, and as mentioned in the link, they should be treated as a consumable item (especially on stock vehicles).

Hawairish, were you referring to the MOOG or the ones from 4x4 parts that were similar to OME's?

You do have a point, sagging spring will definitely wear on the shocks. Was doing a bit of research and came up with these shocks from the rear and the reviews are good for the most part :

http://www.amazon.com/KYB-KG4163--Just- ... shocks#Ask

Thanks for the input!

[Hawairish]

Sorry...the Moogs are Moogs (OE replacements), and the ones that Automotive Customizers (4x4parts.com) sells are the OMEs (@$160) or their own brand (@$180). The OMEs will give a little more lift than advertised; the Moogs are the only OE option I think.

For shocks, there are a few options: KYB, Gabriel, Monroe, Bilsteins, OME, Rancho. KYB do tend to get good reviews and many owners typically upgrade to them. I've not personally used them, though. I've heard they can be a little firm, but that's a subjective feeling.

The airbags, btw, aren't a terrible solution even with worn springs or shocks, and in lieu of new bumpstops. They're not intended as bumpstop replacements or to provide lift, but at stock height, it's somewhat unavoidable. But, they do help with load handling.

If you think the shocks need replacing, you can just swap those for now and see if there's improvement. If not, then you can decide on new coils, bumpstops, or even the air bags.

[Pathy415]

Its pretty bouncy out in back so maybe ill do shocks but the bumpstops are completely gone so i'll have to swap those out for sure

Thanks!

[attofarad]

Was doing a bit of research and came up with these shocks from the rear and the reviews are good for the most part :

http://www.amazon.com/KYB-KG4163--Just- ... shocks#Ask

Thanks for the input!

I have those shocks on now, and had the other KYB on previously. This one that you linked is a bit stiffer over bumps with just front seat passengers (on my wife's 2001 QX4), but with maybe 250 pounds of stuff in the back it rides quite well.

How easy to do is the spring replacement? Do I just lift it and remove a shock bolt to drop the coil out?

[atraudes]

For the rears, pretty much. Just be careful not to drop the axle too much; the rear brake line and a breather hose are attached and can get stretched on. The best thing to do is put a floor jack under the pumpkin, disconnect the shocks and lower it as much as you're comfortable with. Then raise one side of the axle with another jack. That will drop the other side to the floor and you can pretty much just pull the old coil out. Have some spring compressors handy though, just in case. You can typically borrow them from your local parts store.

@Pathy415 Sorry, just realized I didn't reply to your earlier question. I did replace the insulators, but the fat rubber ones in the back probably didn't need to be. The plastic pieces that wrap around the end of the coil definitely did though. They were super cracked and brittle.

[Pathy415]

No worries atraudes. I took a look at mine and the upper ones still look in good shape and the pieces that wrap around the end of the coils still look intact.

Do you take these off and put them on the new springs or do new springs come with the plastic pieces?

[atraudes]

You can probably just pull them off the old springs, but they may be worn thin where they contact. They don't come with the springs (though they really should!!). I bought them from the dealership. Those in particular were only a few dollars if I recall.

[Pathy415]

yeah I'll have to check them prior to putting in the new springs. Thanks again!