Rear shock absorber

[QX4ME]

During the front strut corrosion inspection, dealer found my rear left shock absorber is leaking and recommends both side replacement. Years back I happened to notice and measured that rear left side is like 1/2" lower than the right side. However, I haven't felt anything out of norm so far. I think it's time to replace both absorbers. I guess the genuine absorbers from Nissan is more expensive and is not necessarily better than after market brand, am I right?

I plan to keep my QX4 until it dies, or very very old. What do you experts recommend, in terms of brand, where to buy, or anything else I need to know? I like to stick to the same firmness and height as factory setup, nothing too fancy, but a quality absorber.

I am sorry if this question was already asked, and appreciate any information in advance. Thanks.

[Buzzman]

KYB's. I installed these two years ago, and they have performed very well.

[fleurys]

if your rear left is lower than the right, it has nothing to do with your shocks.... but everything with your coils.... The coils are what supports the weight of truck...shock only absorb the bumps, ...They might be leaking, but changing them will not fix the height difference.

[QX4ME]

Thank you both.
I'd think it's much more difficult to change coils than the absorber. Therefore, I either have the replacement done by a shop, or ignore the height difference for now, as I don't feel anything abnormal.

[QX4ME]

This morning I went to a Nissan dealer. A service advisor said 3/4" height difference is the factory spec. If that is the spec, then mine is within it. He said just forget it if I don't feel anything wrong, also said "this car will last...".

A thorough suspension checkup costs $25. He used his fist to measure the gap between tire and wheel well, and noticed the slight height difference.

[esy]

for the rears, replacing both the coils and shocks is a pretty simple procedure. there are quite a few stickies on how to do it. the shocks are very simple, the coils are slightly more difficult, especially on the R side.

[QX4ME]

I heard that with the factory setup, QX4 is softer than Pathfinder, is that correct?

[esy]

no idea. i wouldn't doubt it since the Qs are supposed to be more luxury, but i don't believe it's any different.

[yeldogt]

I put the KYB's on one of our Pathfinders last year. They feel a little firmer than the stock set up -- quite expectable. I purchased them through Amazon for a fraction of the OE's from Nissan. The rear springs are not very expensive -- I would replace them. Why have a weak spring on a truck you are going to keep.

[QX4ME]

I ordered the shock absorbers from infinitipartsusa.com, a genuine parts as I prefer the original setup. I will not know what it will be with other brands until they are put on. Two absorbers plus shipping and handling $155.

I will replace the coil spring later. One step at a time.

[ARKQX33V6]

QX4ME, your springs are within spec as I read this post, but you can verify it with a tape measure and your service manual. At the chosen place as per your book, may be the wheel arch, 1st bounce on the bumper to get to the springs neutral position, right and then left. Measure the height sitting on a level spot and compare that dimension to the book.

The rear springs and shocks on the QX4 are a bit wimpy, but that said both have lasted 13 years with my QX4. The shocks OEM and direct replacements are adequate if the car is used an road.

[QX4ME]

QX4ME, your springs are within spec as I read this post, but you can verify it with a tape measure and your service manual. At the chosen place as per your book, may be the wheel arch, 1st bounce on the bumper to get to the springs neutral position, right and then left. Measure the height sitting on a level spot and compare that dimension to the book.

The rear springs and shocks on the QX4 are a bit wimpy, but that said both have lasted 13 years with my QX4. The shocks OEM and direct replacements are adequate if the car is used an road.

Good suggestion, thank you.
I received the shock absorber, Nissan P/N E6200-0W025, made in Japan. I will find out what difference the new absorbers make. By the way, with all five people in my car, I never had the bottom out issue.

[QX4ME]

I got frustrated.
I took the original absorber off, found the new one from InfinitiPartsUSA is different:
1. new absorber has smaller diameter
2. original PN is 56210 4W000, and marded Nissan/KYB, made in Japan; new PN is 56210 0W001 and marked Nissan but not KYB, also made in Japan.
3. the mounting hole diameters are backwards; top should be smaller than bottom, but now it's the other way around unless I install it upside down.

I am going to local part stores to buy some absorbers. I just want to finish it and don't care too much of softer or firmer. When this AZ based Infiniti opens again after the holiday I will call and return them.

[yeldogt]

Well that is frustrating !


Did you provide your VIN number?

[QX4ME]

Yes I did. Actually I have to type in my VIN, or the ordering process would not take me to the next step. I guess their system is fine but the person who shipped it picked a wrong absorber.

I went to Pep Boy first and they only have Monroe in stock. I saw that the absorber is held with a plastic tie. Pep Boy said I can't adjust the mounting length by hand; it requires much more force. Is it a different type? Gas versus something else? Don't want to risk the second time so I left.

Then I went to Infiniti dealer where I bought my Q. Parts manager took my VIN and found the right absorber, will be in next Thursday. He said as long as my VIN is correct, he guarantees I get the correct part, or money back. He asks me to bring the original part in to physically compare the two. After that, I can't return it since it's a special order. I asked about replacing two sides. He said why would you waste money if right side is not leaking. I ended up buying one.

I was told PN has been changing, as Nissan/Infiniti is improving the quality over time. Guts could be different but 100% compatible in terms of replacement, also this new absorber (E6200-4W025 on paperwork, might not be the stamp on absorber) will last 'forever'.

[QX4ME]

QX4ME, your springs are within spec as I read this post, but you can verify it with a tape measure and your service manual. At the chosen place as per your book, may be the wheel arch, 1st bounce on the bumper to get to the springs neutral position, right and then left. Measure the height sitting on a level spot and compare that dimension to the book.

I measured and compared to the specs, and found two front sides are right on spec, rear left is right on (I though it is lower than normal), rear right is about 1/2" higher than spec. I don't understand why it can go higher when car gets old, or maybe it was that high when new.
When measuring, trunk is empty, no one is in the car, parked in garage and floor is pretty level, tire pressure should be around 32 psi as I always keep them but not checked this time.

[QX4ME]

I installed the correct rear absorber, E6200-4W025. Measred the height, same as before. Ride is the same as before too. The wrong part E6200-0W025 is for 1997-1999 QX4. Mine is 2002.

I will NEVER, NEVER order anything from infinitipartsusa.com. They refused even to listen to me about the wrong part. My bank is going to take actions soon.

Also know that the paperwork PN is not the same as stamped PN. One thing seems to be the same: no matter which PN, 0W is for 1997-1999, 4W is for later years (for example, for my 2002).

[TR250]

The early 1999 Pathfinder LE takes P/N 37158-the same as the 1998. I was alerted by this message about hole diameters reversed. I went to Monroe Sensa-Matic and bought P/N 37158 after talking with several people at Monroe. They said their catalog is wrong for the 1999 Pathfinder, that's why a lot of other websites are wrong (e.g. Advance Auto). I bought the 37158 for $37.39 each. They slipped on in about 15 minutes each. Thanks for the heads-up.

PS: the metal core is bonded to the rubber and can possibly tear the rubber if you try to reverse the holes yourself-I speak from experience!

[fueler]

Yup, Nissan made a bunch of little changes halfway through the 1999 production year (i forgot what month) but it's confusing to order parts sometimes. Mine was sold as a 1999 (but is technically a 99.5) but i cant order parts for a 99... i have to say 2000, otherwise the parts dont fit!