My 98 Infiniti QX4 wobbles sometimes

[Freeze Time]

By that I mean it will rock back and forth for like 2 seconds or so. It mostly only happens when traveling at higher speeds on the freeway when I hit a certain kind of bump but it also happens at a certain spot in town where a yield sign is even if I am going 10 miles an hour. I have googled it and have come up with like 5 different answers. All from it's nothing serious to I need to get it checked immediately. Does anyone here know what it might be or is and is it going to be expensive? I would hate to take it to my mechanic and have them do a bunch of unnecessary work for nothing.

[fueler]

I can tell you with 100% certainty that it will be one of the 4 rear control arms (specifically, the rubber bushings). It's a common problem specific to 97-03 Pathfinders/QX4. It's usually most evident on the freeway when you're just cruising (neither accelerating nor decelerating). You'll just be cruising, maybe hit a slight bump or whatever, and suddenly the truck will wag it's rear end side-to-side.

First, you need to find out which one is broken. Then, you have the option of replacing the entire arm with a factory replacement ($250 in parts), or you can buy polyurethane replacements from 4x4parts.com ($60 in parts, but way more labor to press out the old bushings). The poly ones will last the life of the truck.

If you plan on having a shop supply the parts AND do the labor for you, it will be an expensive job ($500+ out the door). I bought the poly ones for $60 and paid around $200 or $300 to have them put in. My trucks rear suspension is tight and firm.

[Freeze Time]

Thanks for the info. Is it something I need to take care of right away or can it wait? I drive maybe like 10 miles a day and don't really go on the freeway that much. I don't have $400 or so lying around so can I just baby the car and just try to avoid bumps or will I just make things worse by continuing to drive it?

[robbykennedy]

Thanks for the info. Is it something I need to take care of right away or can it wait? I just make things worse by continuing to drive it?

If you do not drive that much on the freeway you do not need to take care of it right away. It is a bit unsafe to drive at high speeds because it could make you lose control and get into an accident.

Over time the symptoms are going to get worse as the bushings in the bars wear out even more.
do you know a local mechanic ? What state are you in?

[Freeze Time]

Yes, I do know a local mechanic. My family has been going to him for like 20 years. I live in California. Since it's not that serious, I will put it off for now until I have more of the most important thing in the world. I just can't afford to get it fixed right now and since it's not an emergency, I will baby my car.

[robbykennedy]

What you can do to minimize the expense, since money is tight, is buy the poly bushing from 4x4parts.com site and have your mechanic replace your existing bushings with the new ones. The only downside is that there is more labor involved but you are never going to replace those bushings. If you go with the conventional rubber bushing, this is going to happen again in the future.

you could use these: https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/pathfin ... -6246.html

[Freeze Time]

Thanks. When I am ready to buy, I will ask for the exact link to the product I need. I'm glad it's not really dangerous and not something I need to worry about.

[Freeze Time]

I drove to Palm Springs yesterday and the problem is much worse. I am going to need to get it fixed. Driving around town is fine but once on the freeway, it gets dangerous. The rocking is more frequent and violent. How can I find out which one is broken? Can I do that by myself or do I need to bring it to my mechanic? It's definitely just one that is broken? Is that link the actual product I need to buy? I would hate to tell my mechanic I have the part and then he tells me 2 are broken or it's the wrong part. I have a friend that can help me with my brakes once I need to replace them but I am thinking this job requires tools he doesn't have and the car would need to be on a lift. Thanks in advance for any answers and help.