Death wobble advice needed.

[StuMobile SE]

Any advice for upgrading my suspension while fixing my death wobble?

Links to the best current info?

I appreciate any help, forgive my noob status, longtime Pathfinder admirer, first time used buyer of a 1998 Pathfinder SE 4X4.

Purchased without reading about wobble, dropped $1900 for an almost mint body with 204k mi, had I known I need to drop more money in to fixing it is a real drag, but I'm up for the challenge.

I'm having it done by a non nissan mechanic that I personally never dealt with but is coming at a serious discount, he rents a shop after hours.

So, to recap, I have the cash now to change a few things but not a whole lot ($600?), so I need to do this right and cefficiently. Any advice? Parts suggestions?

Thanks, seriously.
Stuart

[rgk]

Get OEM-equivelant replacement nuts and bolts. I just ordered mine at 4x4parts.com. They come in a set of four or eight.

I just bought a 2002 with 173k for $1950 and will be performing the replacement myself. The arms cost me $200 and the bolts $50.

[StuMobile SE]

Thank you!

I was thinking red polyurethane bushings too, what did you order?

[atraudes]

replacing-rear-control-arms-guide-t587665.html

That will give you a rundown of the options and cost. Even if you get polyurethane, the parts will still be under $600. It ended up being right around that after I bought all the tools I needed/wanted too.

[rgk]

I got the standard Moog R-Series. I'm not really concerned with bushing material, just the wobble

Plus, I don't want to have to deal with removing or pressing in any bushings.

[StuMobile SE]

Like I said, I'm Having A MECHANIC With a shop full of of tools do the work, I just need to know what needs to be done and suggestions for parts. I'm having the work done this week, and I'd like to do this job ONCE, and well.

Tuanks,
Stu

[rgk]

[StuMobile SE]

Sorry, was freaking out learning that I paid so much for a truck with so many issues. I'm buying the parts on amazon as suggested (thank you), and he's doing the work.

So now my current parts/troubleshooting /repair list:
Upper and lower arms.
Front cv axels
Brake issue
taillights running light on short, dash short ( no lights on instrument panel or accessories )
Valve cover gaskets
intake manifold gasket (to change driver side gasket)
4 tires

And I'm already in $1900.

[StuMobile SE]

He asked for 700 labor.

[atraudes]

Is that labor estimate to install/fix all of the things you listed? If you're looking to cut that down a bit, you could probably do the valve covers and intake manifold yourself with a standard set of mechanic's tools if you're up for it.

The control arms and CV axles are also very doable, but you generally need more special tools like longer and bigger wrenches, pry bars, whathaveyou. I justified the cost of the tools because it would have cost just as much for labor and I got to keep them

[StuMobile SE]

Yes, that's for the whole list.

I may have him do it in two halves, maybe do the valve covers myself or with a friend, but been busy with work, kind of justified to pay someone to do it.

[StuMobile SE]

[quote="atraudes"]replacing-rear-control-arms-guide-t587665.html

That will give you a rundown of the options and cost. Even if you get polyurethane, the parts will still be under $600. It ended up being right around that after I bought all the tools I needed/wanted too.[/quote

question...
I am ordering the two arms, the lower passenger and driver arms as described, and am also having the upper links done the same time...

Question : 2 of these upper links, same part numbers x2?

Here's the link.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B003SZ3BM8/ref=mw_dp_cr

[atraudes]

Yessir, two of those per vehicle. They're exactly the same as each other whereas the lowers are left/right specific.

[StuMobile SE]

Yessir, two of those per vehicle. They're exactly the same as each other whereas the lowers are left/right specific.

Thanks, truly.
Do you think replacing shocks would be a good idea since most of that stuff is getting removed?

Stu

[atraudes]

Glad to help!

Only in the sense that your hands are already dirty and your tools are pulled out. From what I've heard the rear shocks are pretty straightforward to replace, and I don't think the control arm work facilitates it in any way.

[donald]

Sorry, was freaking out learning that I paid so much for a truck with so many issues. I'm buying the parts on amazon as suggested (thank you), and he's doing the work.

So now my current parts/troubleshooting /repair list:
Upper and lower arms.
Front cv axels
Brake issue
taillights running light on short, dash short ( no lights on instrument panel or accessories )
Valve cover gaskets
intake manifold gasket (to change driver side gasket)
4 tires

And I'm already in $1900.

Just out of curiousity... what is wrong or what makes you believe you need to change front CV axles?

Since you are merely buying new rear trailing arms, then no need to press in or out any bushings, so the swap can be relatively quick, and as atraudes mentioned, no need to remove the rear shocks. But if you're going to do shocks, then would you consider your rear springs? Again, they aren't affected by RTAs nor rear shocks. But if you have that guy with all his tools available, and your truck is already lifted up, you could do that too.

in addition, if you're doing CV axles, then consider front struts/springs also.
Unfortunately, assuming you want performance parts, this will run you over on your budget

* OME springs cost ~$370 shipped,
front - http://ruggedrocksoffroad.com/medium-lo ... 14l7k99tm5
rear - http://ruggedrocksoffroad.com/medium-lo ... 14l7k99tm5

- KYB front struts, now $70/each,
USA driver side - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C4 ... UTF8&psc=1
USA passenger side - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C4 ... UTF8&psc=1

- KYB rear shocks, now $45/each
rear shock, R or L side - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GZ ... UTF8&psc=1
Totaling the above suspension parts, $370+(2x$70)+(2x$45) = $600

Oh - you'll also need/might-as-well replace the strut mount if you're doing the front struts - which can total $150 in parts for both sides - the strut mount and bearing parts should be purchased via Nissan dealership. Avoid the KYB Strut mount and Bearing as they have been known to fail based on other Pathfinder owner experiences.

Also there is manual hubs upgrade (assuming you're 4x4 capable since you have CV axles). These can be changed out and are actually a "might-as-well" will you're doing the CV axles. Once the mechanic pulls the axle, I think they can remove the current hub and replace with new hub.
Manual hubs will actually help in times where your CV axle fails. You can disconnected the axle from the wheel, so the axles are not spinning with the front wheels.
This has a potential pricetag of $100-180 for the pair of manual hubs.

I know your intent was to do the "necessary" work. But - just mentioning the "fun" work if you want to try to coordinate and prioritize which parts are changed by the mechanic and which you can deal with at a later time.

Good luck.

[mah]

Advance Auto Parts $79.00 a piece , I purchased then about 3 hours of labor to remove and install, ,
These are fine if you don't plan to be on really rough terrain all the time, Im sure they will outlast my vehicle

Dorman - OE Solutions Rear Upper Position Control Arm 2 Part No 905-802
Dorman - OE Solutions Rear Lower Rt Position Control Arm 1 Part No 905-804
Dorman - OE Solutions Rear Lower Lt Position Control Arm 1 Part No 905-803

the wobble , sway started at about 220,000 miles. I finally had it taken care of a6 226,000. Mad at myself for not doing it sooner!

Struts and shocks, cv boots done at about 175,000 i think. Nothing wrong with the springs.
Ive never had to have work done on engine or transmission. Regular oil change and air filter. Oil change every 3000 now because of a leak. not worth paying 10 to 12 hours of labor trying to find and fix.

[atraudes]

Welcome to Nico!

Glad to hear it worked out so well!

[mah]

Thanks atraudes! Ive searched this sight many times, but never joined until this problem with the control arms. i bought my 2002 qx4 in 2004 with 22k miles. Love this vehicle!