2001 Pathfinder 4wd problem

[Jerimiah]

Hey guys, Im sort of new to the pathfinder scene (not nissans though), I have a 2003 infiniti M45, and also a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. We loved ours so much we talked my little brother into buying an 01 pathy LE. So far its been amazing for him but last week we got a snow storm and he needed to use the 4wd, it shifted into 4wd fine, but soon after he noticed a vibration while it was in 4wd, when he got to work he shifted it back to 2wd and noticed a horrible clunking noise, when he brought it over that night I climbed under there to watch while he s*** out of 4wd and noticed the whole drivetrain move while it shifted, pretty violently too. It engages fine, but it almost seems to stick while you disengage it and then it finally releases with a loud clunk.

Has anyone experienced this or could lead us in the right way?
We're in Utah so we get some pretty good snow storms, and he has a new born baby and would feel a little more comfortable with the 4wd working properly.

Thanks in advance fellas./

[zach7685]

have a video? Could be the cv joint. but it sounds to me like its being shifted wrong

[Jerimiah]

it is literally impossible to shift it wrong. you turn the dial to the 2wd option and youre rewarded with a loud clunk. lol. i can try to get some video.

[zach7685]

If You had posted it has the auto 4wd system I might have known that. but since you failed to mention that I assumed it was like mine.

[Towncivilian]

I'm not familiar with the auto mode 4WD system (or even the part time system) so I'm afraid I don't have anything to suggest except changing the transfer case fluid and greasing the front driveshaft. While neither will probably affect your issue, it's a good idea to do especially since this Pathfinder was a recent purchase. You'll need 3.17 quarts of Nissan Matic D (preferably) or any fluid that claims to meet Dexron III/Mercon specifications. If you decide to use an aftermarket fluid, I'd suggest using a synthetic fluid for better cold-weather performance. The torque spec for the fill and drain plugs of the transfer case is 87 - 174 inch-pounds.