Rear Shocks Bottoms Out

[yakabod]

I'm pretty sure my rear shocks are SHOT. Do you guys recommend KYB rears or just go to Autozone? Is it an easy removal and installation?


2001 QX4

[devonianwalk]

I have the same problem. I'm just holding out to lift the sucker this summer!

[Chuck Tribolet]

Check your bump stops. They are inside the rear springs. They can be replaced without taking too much stuff
(anything?) if you pry the spring open a bit. I used a piece of oak 1x2 I had kicking around.


Chuck

[miamiheat3332]

How many miles you got on that Q? Its already 9 years old anyways, and the rear springs in the q/ path, are soft anyways and they sag quick, seems to be the only negative of this car.

If i were you id do the whole suspension at one time, and use KYB Gr-2 Struts, Stock Springs( unless you want to lower it like mine use lowering springs, or if you want to lift it an inch or 2, lift springs ) , and then KYB Gas-a-just Shocks for the rear

For just the rear if your looking at stock springs, i think on courtesyparts.com they are $131 each i recall, maybe your dealer can get them cheaper.

So 2 of those you have 260$ already, plus 2 kyb shocks, so another 80$, im pretty sure you can find them for like 40$ each on like jcwhitney or something.


Now when doing this also get new nuts, and washers for the lower built in axle bolts, and new bolts,nuts, and washers for the top part of the shock, so your looking at another lets say 20-25 in hardware


So a nice estimate is like $260+80+20 = $360

[m0nkeyprince]

how-to-rear-shocks-t514658.html

note: this is for my 98' yours might be a little different

[Innovazn]

Are new springs neccessary or can we run the stock springs with new struts/springs?

[miamiheat3332]

Your springs have sagged, and dont meet spec anymore for the car, they have became too soft which is why you bottom out because they dont have alot of retention.

If you just change the shocks and struts it wont fix saggy springs.

[Innovazn]

Your springs have sagged, and dont meet spec anymore for the car, they have became too soft which is why you bottom out because they dont have alot of retention.

If you just change the shocks and struts it wont fix saggy springs.

figured as much.

[fueler]

ya if the shocks are bottoming out then u need springs. shocks alone wont fix that problem.

[Innovazn]

ya if the shocks are bottoming out then u need springs. shocks alone wont fix that problem.

I'm not bottoming out. i know for sure that the rear driver side is sagging, thats for sure. No idea why as i have no weight on that side besides me... and Im only 150 lbs :S my sub and all are on the passenger side. lol

[miamiheat3332]

A idea for people who are gonna replace their rear springs with stock ones and stuff, if you drive another 80k miles, you'll end up with the same thing you have now and will need to replace them.

You should put in a airlift kit they have for like 90-100$ and yeah the ride might be a little harsher, but when theres alot of weight/people in the back, have them pumped up so your springs dont bend as much then and it keeps them more preserved if you get the jist of this.

[SOUTHSHOREQX4]

If you can get the whole set up shocks/springs. I was constantly bottoming out on the smallest of bump and had sagging on the driver's side as well. I installed the OME springs with KYB GR-2 shocks and sooo happy i did. The ride is a bit stiffer but handles much better. The stance of the truck improved as well with a little bit of a lift it was just what i was looking for.





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[donald]

SouthShore... what rating OMEmu springs did you get?

I'm in the process of upgrading my suspension... but don't want to majorly lift my truck nor a super rigid ride.

[Wkz1gg0a]

Same Thing is wrong with my R50 both sides are sagging and with my Subs and 3 well bult people in my backseat its worst then a civic. My wheels actually tuck under the rear wheel well a lil. I had the KYB gas shocks which are lets say 1.5 years old i plan on changing the springs asap within the past months the truck bottoms out will only me riding. O BTW the rubber stops under my spring/shocks are completely gone.

[SOUTHSHOREQX4]

I got the Old Man Emu medium duty for both front and rear with KYB GR2 shocks/struts. Rides great, not to stiff at all its like having a new truck. Just do yourself a favor...change the struts mounts as well I had to pay for labor twice when the struts were knocking on every bump.

[donald]

Do you have any pictures of your rig from the side profile?
The pics you have above are at a angle, looking down on to your car, and I can't tell if there's much of a rake or not.
I was reading that medium's all around give a significant rake to the truck...

I am planning to tow occasionally (maybe 4 times out of the whole year) of no more than 1000lb payload (trailer weight not included) and was wondering if I should go medium all around and if the rake would bother me much or not.

Thanks!

[SOUTHSHOREQX4]

Here's the best pic I got right now for a side angle....hope this helps



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Here are the other pics I posted.... finally-got-my-pics-uploaded-t517418.html

I'll see if i can get some more uploaded over the weekend

[donald]

Ok, cool - so it looks like the rake is not too bad if any at all.
The other question is - is there a lift to using the medium duty compared to stock?

[SOUTHSHOREQX4]

The explanation I got over the phone was great...the guy told me it states that there is 1-1.5 inch lift when installed because they're working off the height of worn springs. My truck sits about 1.5- 1.75 inches higher because my old springs were that "shot". In reality I'd say its only .50 -.75 of a inch from factory height when the truck is brand new. The springs gave me way better control over the corners and ride comfort improved a lot. The truck just looks healthier

[CanuckQx4]

Do you happen to have a part list of the strut bearings or the assembly that was changed??

Im having a hardtime figuring out what needs to be bought new from the dealer.

[donald]

since folks seem to suggest going through OEM strut bearings/strut mounts, I say just go to your local Infiniti Dealership and get your mounts through them.

You can also cross reference the part-numbers with Nissan dealership (I know the struts are different between 01 to 02-04 Qx4/Pathfinders) and possibly get it cheaper through Nissan dealership...

An online Nissan dealership is: http://www.courtesyparts.com
here is the LINK to the pathfinder front suspension
but it looks like the entire strut mount assembly consists of many parts...so maybe it's better just to go into the dealership and make sure you're buying what you want to buy