Do I Need Springs or Rear Shocks?

[bradesp]

Hi guys,

Just back from a 3 hour road trip to the beach in Wilmington, NC. The drive included my adult son now 19, luggage for three adults and three trail bikes on the rear. Here's my issue. I've owned my 01' Qx4 since 59K miles and suddenly I'm "bottoming out" over small dips in the road when "loaded down". I've never replaced the rear shocks, so my question is whether the shocks or the springs are the likely culprit?

Thanks!

Bradesp

[00QX4]

Well, I've only owned my 00 QX4 for a few weeks, but from prior cars/trucks, I'm just about 99% sure it's rare that "springs" go bad. It's mostly shocks/struts that go way before springs. To the best of my knowledge anyway.

[fueler]

its gonna be the springs. all shocks do is "absorb" and prevent bouncing... the springs are what actually hold all the weight of the car up. Add three adults and three bikes on a rack, any factory QX4 will bottom out (hit the bumpstops). I upgraded my springs to Old Man Emu (or your other choice is 4x4parts.com springs), and I recommend it if you plan on doing more of that kind of stuff.

[amaff]

qx4-rear-bottoming-out-solution-t423926.html

[Chuck Tribolet]

If your springs are bad, you truck will sit low. The FSM has a spec for the height of the top of the fender opening above the ground. For an '01 PF, its"


2WD 4WD
245/70 R16 tire 255/65 R16 tire (With over fender) 245/70 R16 tire 255/65 R16 tire (With over fender)
Front (Hf) 840 (33.07) 840 (33.07) 837 (32.95) 824 (32.44)
Rear (Hr) 867 (34.13) 817 (32.17) 867 (34.13) 817 (32.17)

[fueler]

not to mention qx4 springs are weak to begin with. like i said, load up ANY Qx4 with 3+ people and bikes on a hitch mounted bike rack and you will have bottoming out!!

[miamiheat3332]

not to thread jack, but i always wondered, take a 2002 Pathfinder , and a 2002 Qx4, is there any difference in the suspension parts, or is it the same as the pathfinders?

[fueler]

they use the same exact replacement parts, so all the dimensions have got to be the same. But i do wonder if the QX4 is any softer than the pathfinder?

someone with access to the nissan parts database could tell us if the factory springs are the same part # or not

[miamiheat3332]

yeah i always wondered about that, but it popped in my head again for some reason, but seeing as the qx4 is suppose to be upperclass and more luxury i thought they might be softer.