Replaced shocks and struts on 98 Pathfinder

[spidermike9]

I just finished replacing the shocks and struts on my wife's 98 Pathfinder (130k miles). I used KYB Excel-G shocks and struts and OEM Nissan strut bearings. It was fairly easy other than a stuck nut on the driver's side stabilizer bar link. I had to cut it off with a 4 1/2 inch cutting wheel and overnight a Moog stabilizer bar link from Amazon. Most everything has been covered on this forum already when it comes to replacing the shocks and struts but I will add the following random thoughts...

- an impact wrench made life 100 times easier.
- the rears are simple - 2 bolts.
- spring compressors are easy if you know what you are doing. Just understand how they work and be safe.
- the lower strut bolts were pretty rusted and it took a hammer to get them out. I should have replaced them but I didn't want to wait for new ones to arrive. I may order some and swap them out in the future.
- the biggest pain in the butt is taking the nut off the stabilizer bar link. What makes it difficult is you can't use an impact wrench. You have to use a hex wrench to hold the end of the bolt while you try to turn the nut with a wrench. I managed to get one side off but not the other. Plan on having to cut the stabilizer bar links off and replace them.

[Slumpert]

Thanks spider.. I have the Gabriel ready struts and ultra shocks sitting in my entryway. Plan on doing the install on Thursday

[mega4ce]

I dont mean to resurrect this thread but I was doing my front suspension today and ran in to a similar problem with the stabilizer bar link. I tried an impact driver on it which as far as I could tell did nothing to crack the nut. I then was cranking pretty hard with a ratchet when it broke free. However what I found was that the bolt was now spinning and not the nut. Does this mean I need to replace my stabilizer bar? Or can I have a go at it with the hex wrench and a box wrench? I'm not too sure of the design of the stabilizer bar and want to make sure that I didnt do some damage to it using the impact driver. I am hoping that with the hex socket on the bolt it can spin without having damaged it with the impact. I just want to be sure that it wasnt pressed and I broke it free.

[Slumpert]

Once you break it free then yes use a 6mm key and a box wrench.. people also use vice grips to compress the balljoint to the strut to use the socket but that may damage the rubber seal.

Also use the hex key and box wrench if the nut just spins when you try to put it on..

congrats on getting it loose /smile