Maybe suspension issue

[abnrjd]

Okay, I have a 2004 LE Nissan Pathfinder. I noticed that the left side of the vehicle in lower. Common sense tells me it's the struts or the left side strut that's bad. My question is "Is this a common problem?" I have replaced the struts before and it's easier to pull teeth from a great white. I would greatly appreciate any inside intel on this matter before I tackle this job, thanks in advance.

[Upgrayedd]

Springs control the height, struts & shocks just control the compression and rebound motion of the springs. If you don't see anything obviously wrong with the struts like a broken spring perch, etc, and they perform ok otherwise, then I would think it is somthing else. Broken spring or maybe the spring is just worn out.

[centralcoaster33]

I'd get in there and do some inspection and measuring. Look for joint's popped apart or springs out of their seats. The car sits on springs on control arms and those set the height. Dampers would just affect how quickly the springs are allowed to move. A strut replacement would really just be like a damper replacement as springs tend to hold up over the years. I'm suggesting you should find something visible and physical as opposed to unseen damper function... I could be wrong. Have you lent it to your teenage son, jacked it up to look around or had any work done lately? If so, start by double checking that stuff.

[anyonebutme]

Also check to make sure the left front strut tower didn't separate. My left side lowered by an inch, and it was because the left front strut tower broke free from the car and the only thing holding the car up was the brake master cylinder. Springs sag over time, but usually they all sag pretty evenly.

[abnrjd]

Thanks all for the insight. Well I don't have teenage kids so that's not the problem, I guess I'll have to put it up on a lift and do some inspections. I pray it's nothing too serious. My Pathy has 260K and I want another 260K out of it.

[anyonebutme]

To check the strut tower, you just have to pop the hood. There should be over an inch of space between the strut tower and the brake master cylinder, if it's touching or close, you know it has separated.

[yeldogt]

I would inspect the vehicle to make sure you don't have a rust driven failure .. did you have the recall done ?

[macgiver]

mac here , again with a remote , "way out there" experience - nevertheless happened to me , and nobody would of (including me before it happened) EVER thought a shock or shock-tube can STALL or STICK-LOW ??
The J30 on left side had "Crud" inside the hydraulic orifice inside (they disassemle -top unscrews ) and
it was almost TWO inches low Fr. L. side. . Before figuring this out from wrenching ,I prepared by buying a J30 spring ( L &R are interchangeable here -purp/yel stripe =for sale now ) cost me $$35 .
Basically the car ran like a "LowRider" DownLo in the Fr. corner !! Purging , Brakleen ,Refilling w/Jack-shock oil gave COMPLETELY BETTER than stock performance , for my fluid choice was slightly "thicker" and I"experimented" and gave slight 15-20 cc more increased fill level .
Anyone need a 93 INFINITI J30 Front spring ( fits M or 300ZX too?) 2/19/2018

[abnrjd]

Thanks for the insight, so basically the front left strut assembly could have crud in it? if so do you recommend I just replace both strut assemblies? I am a pretty good wrench turner and with a metric ton of tools to boot, Rock Auto is also my saving grace.

[macgiver]

mac here , whoooa abnrjd , my situation was mentioned ,is one-in-10,000 Thrown in there ,so ALL possibilities are "on the table " . Now if I remember (10 yrs. ago ) it was noticed that when the car was jacked up - wheels off the ground - you could see , albeit a minor difference in Drvr's side strut was NOT ALL the WAY OUT wheel even looked higher than pas. side. That was enough for me and where getting to dissasembly revealed crud = clean + refill being the answer .If you don't see the struts at a different "unloaded"extesion - probably not it. Now only other "confirmation" of a stuck/clogged-up strut tube is full disassembly & extension of both sides I guess ( and I remember mine were 21+ years old in AZ heat -yours way newer ,our weather did this oil "coagulation )
Hopefully a full inspection reveals a more "minor" part on the one side like even ONE spring etc. and not BOTH STRUTS necessitating extensive labor & buying BOTH of the struts . G 2/22/2018

[Buzzman]

mac here , again with a remote , "way out there" experience - nevertheless happened to me , and nobody would of (including me before it happened) EVER thought a shock or shock-tube can STALL or STICK-LOW ??
The J30 on left side had "Crud" inside the hydraulic orifice inside (they disassemle -top unscrews ) and
it was almost TWO inches low Fr. L. side. . Before figuring this out from wrenching ,I prepared by buying a J30 spring ( L &R are interchangeable here -purp/yel stripe =for sale now ) cost me $$35 .
Basically the car ran like a "LowRider" DownLo in the Fr. corner !! Purging , Brakleen ,Refilling w/Jack-shock oil gave COMPLETELY BETTER than stock performance , for my fluid choice was slightly "thicker" and I"experimented" and gave slight 15-20 cc more increased fill level .
Anyone need a 93 INFINITI J30 Front spring ( fits M or 300ZX too?) 2/19/2018

Hey, you're advice is solid, but your posts are a little difficult to read.
Can I respectfully suggest you dial back the use of emoticons a bit? It's very distracting.
Thx and cheers.

[Buzzman]

Okay, I have a 2004 LE Nissan Pathfinder. I noticed that the left side of the vehicle in lower. Common sense tells me it's the struts or the left side strut that's bad. My question is "Is this a common problem?" I have replaced the struts before and it's easier to pull teeth from a great white. I would greatly appreciate any inside intel on this matter before I tackle this job, thanks in advance.

Two things come to mind.
One is the strut tower rust issue. Check that it hasn't collapsed (was the recall done?)
The other is a broken spring. I have the same problem, and my left front spring is busted.

[macgiver]

mac , hey Buzzman , you're absolutely right , I've got a busted up knee(multiple ligaments,1 tendon) & between crossword puzzles and nicoclub and phys therapy I'm getting by . We gonna retire some of those mojeez !

[abnrjd]

So I started replacing my struts. Started with the front left, HOLLY SHIZ-NIT One of the bolts that hold the strut to the caliper froze up inside the knuckle, son of a motherless dog, I cut, hammered, applied heat, cussed and fussed until 6.5 hours later it came out. I feel like someone beat me down. My hands and arms where cramping. I caught pure nuclear hell just on that one strut. I was finally was able to get the bolt, or what was left of it, out and CM (Continue Mission) and replaced the strut assembly. I had to virtually peel the strut off of the knuckle. I guess when time permits I need to tackle the front right one, hopefully that one won't run me through the wringer.