Coil Spring Failure - 2001 Pathfinder

[jfm07]

Just wondering if others have experienced a similar issue. After 120,000 miles, the right front suspension coil snapped on my Pathfinder. The struts were actually replaced 10,000 miles earlier, so the suspension had seen some attention not too long ago.




The other spring looks close to failure, as well.

I contacted Nissan's Consumer Affairs office in Ohio and they said to have the dealer check it out. They need to diagnose the cause and maybe fix it under the "Road Salt" suspension housing recall.

The dealer's service department basically told me it would cost $637 to remove/replace the coils. "That's what happens to 120,000 mile springs. They break." Yeah, they might also result in serious injury to your customers and their families.

Bottom line, if your Pathfinder has turned 100K miles, you might want to replace your springs.

[Chuck Tribolet]

I have 230,000 miles on an '01 PF. No spring breakage. And I don't think it's been a common problem here on the forum.

I'd be thinking that whoever replaced the struts damaged the spring, or didn't seat it correctly.

[jfm07]

Hey Chuck, Thanks for the input.

I personally replaced the struts and made sure the springs were seated properly. As mentioned, the other spring is also failing in approximately the same location (the bottom coils are compressed) and remains on the spring perch.

The differences in our experiences is likely due to climate and road conditions. The use of road salt in my area takes its toll on cars and suspension coils are in the direct line of fire. So unless you hose down your springs after each snow-filled trek, there's no way to avoid the salt's corrosive effect.

If you're splitting time between Morgan Hill and Marina, CA, however, you probably enjoy some of the best climate and roads in the US (or world, for that matter). I'm not surprised your car has provided so many worry-free miles but I believe our PFs are at the opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to corrosion risk.

So, perhaps, my warning applies more to those living in the snow belt. Anyone who drives where road salt is used should take a look at their spring and make sure they're not on the verge of failure. Or simply replace them at around 100K miles just to be safe.

[Slumpert]

I can appreciate your trying offer a warning, but honestly if you yourself replaced the struts and did not see a issue with the springs in that process then it is very unlikely a normal user would see it during a on car inspection.

I took the quick strut system when I changed mine so I got new springs at the same time.

[zach7685]

I have 213K on mine no issue. Also, do you have Aftermarket rims or a lowering kit? the back of the pathfinder in your picture looks quite lower in the back and high in the front? What Struts did you use?

[jfm07]

In the avatar pic, there's a trailer attached to my PF. That was before installing air lift/pillows in the rear but the raised front reflects the extra weight on the back with the original shocks (good eye!). I may have used the PF to tow the trailer a dozen times or so.

I used Monroe replacements all around. Not the OE Spectrum model they currently offer but the previous "deluxe" items they used to sell. I also replaced the upper strut mounts with their Strut Mate kit. Rims/tires are OEM.

FWIW, the control arms on my PF are also on the brink of failure. I'll post additional pics when I get it on a lift but this salt corrosion is no joke. The ball joint on one side looks like it could break off with one big jolt.

[jfm07]

I can appreciate your trying offer a warning, but honestly if you yourself replaced the struts and did not see a issue with the springs in that process then it is very unlikely a normal user would see it during a on car inspection.

I took the quick strut system when I changed mine so I got new springs at the same time.

Yep, you're probably right. Unless you've got some wheel rub, it's not entirely obvious. They certainly looked fine in the spring compressors when I transferred them over a few years ago.

Your approach makes sense --change the springs with struts--if you live someplace which is tough on cars.

[Patrick M]

As like this post I also have an 01 Pathfinder with 256,000 miles and a snapped coil spring on the left front.
The spring broke itself clean through as like the posted pic above accept that there is no rust whare the break is
on this one accept the outer part of the spring.
This Pathfinder is not used for anything accept regular driving .

[Chuck Tribolet]

ifm07: BTW, about 70,000 of those 230,000 miles were towing a 2000 pound boat trailer. Before we bought the place
in Marina, we were doing to round trips to Monterey (100 miles each) towing on most weekends. Now the boat lives
in Marina and it does 20 miles round trip. The PF is going to start living down there soon too and we'll go down in my
'01 Camry daily driver.

Chuck

[jfm07]

Thanks. I replaced the springs and all is well.

[jikispqr]

I have 2001 Pathfinder, with around 150000 miles on it - the rear end of the car is getting lower compared to the front end. considering the fact that I am towing trailer quite often, I am afraid the same fate will be shared by new rear springs.

I was told that this is the typical issue and was advised to get and install front springs in the rear.

is it possible to do so, or what other alternative do I have?

thank you

[fleurys]

I have 2001 Pathfinder, with around 150000 miles on it - the rear end of the car is getting lower compared to the front end. considering the fact that I am towing trailer quite often, I am afraid the same fate will be shared by new rear springs.

I was told that this is the typical issue and was advised to get and install front springs in the rear.

is it possible to do so, or what other alternative do I have?

thank you

I sell rear coil spacers for exactly this problem. This is an economical alternative until you decide to change the coils.

Come see on my website or send me a pm.

Steve.

[atraudes]

You can also buy some heavier duty springs that are intended for heftier loads (more cargo in the rear, custom steel bumpers in the front). I've heard that Old Man Emu sells medium and heavy duty, and here's one on 4x4parts.com.

[asnorton44]

I went for an oil change today and come to find out my front drivers side coil spring is broken in half at the bottom...I just had the strut recall done at the dealer not long ago can't be more then 5k-10k miles...think the dealer would be obligated to fix it?

[barnaclebob]

The strut recall really has nothing to do with the springs. It seems like some springs can just break after enough use with the right conditions for corrosion.

[asnorton44]

The strut recall really has nothing to do with the springs. It seems like some springs can just break after enough use with the right conditions for corrosion.

Hmm so they would not have replaced them for any reason? The spring looks new still, and rust free, despite living in a heavily salted area and 200k miles on the truck.

[barnaclebob]

If they had found a problem with the springs then you would likely have still have had to pay for them at the dealer or wherever. The recall is only for the structure near the wheel well, not the strut itself.

Springs on cars are pretty much wear and tear items that have a limited life depending on driving and environmental conditions. Some springs will have a longer fatigue life than others too. A broken spring after 200k doesn't sound unheard of.

[Huck9999]

Does anyone know if coil spring for a pathfinder will work for the qx4? I can find any coil springs for my qx4. It tons for the pathfinder.

[atraudes]

Yes, they are compatible. The two vehicles use the same shocks/struts and the strut towers are identical. Even the vehicle weight is the same.

Welcome to Nico!

[Huck9999]

Awesome thanks! Oh.....and I meant the rear coil springs. Would those still be the same?

[barnaclebob]

R50 Pathfinders and Qx4's are essentially the same mechanically, only differences in interior and some body panels.

So yes, the rear springs are interchangeable.

[Geren8509]

I put the moog pathfinder coil springs in the rear of my 98 qx4. They fit fine, but if i put 75 lbs or more in the rear, the qx4 would squat badly. And since my bumpstops were broken off inside the spring, i just put the old man emu springs in about a year after i installed the moogs. I tossed the moog ones in the garbage. The new ome springs lifted the rear up almost 2 inches and i also installed new kyb gas a just shocks in from rockauto for like 85 bucks after shipping for both shocks. and then i put 120lbs of sandbags back there to test it out, and it hardly squated the rear at all. My opinion would be to just get the old man emu 2922's for the 187$. It made it worth it for me with how much better it rides. Also i did all the work myself with both sets of springs. it was Very easy without a spring compressor for the rear springs.