Truck jerks

[marioc89]

This is something that urks me. After I come to a stop and put it in park, it does this jerk if I just sit there for about a min or when I turn it off. Is this because it's in four wheel drive mode or what?

[Towncivilian]

Does it jerk only after you let go of the brake once you've stopped? If so, engage the parking brake after coming to a complete stop and shifting to N (but before letting go of the foot brake), then release the foot brake, let the vehicle settle, and finally shift into Park. This allows the vehicle to rest on the wheels/brakes instead of the transmission's parking pawl. This may seem like a lot to do but it becomes automatic after a while. I'd recommend doing this every time you park any vehicle.

[marioc89]

It's a small jerk, it's not like it jerks my head dramatically. It's small but noticeable. It does it after I put it into park if I'm sitting there idling. But if I turn the ignition off, it'll do it right when I turn the engine off. I'm just curious to know why it does that and if it suppose to do by it being a 4 wheel drive? What do I need to do to fix it?

[Towncivilian]

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the operation of 4WD on our vehicles. I have a 2WD Pathfinder.

It might be worth it to inspect your engine mounts, maybe after the engine shuts off it moves some and that could be what you're feeling, especially since you're sitting still; the effect of the engine moving excessively would be more noticeable.

[marioc89]

Does it jerk only after you let go of the brake once you've stopped? If so, engage the parking brake after coming to a complete stop and shifting to N (but before letting go of the foot brake), then release the foot brake, let the vehicle settle, and finally shift into Park. This allows the vehicle to rest on the wheels/brakes instead of the transmission's parking pawl. This may seem like a lot to do but it becomes automatic after a while. I'd recommend doing this every time you park any vehicle.

I did as you suggested and it still does it in neutral.

[4xq]

I had the same problem on my 02 QX4. Jerked when I parked it and shut off the engine. Was having a heck of a time figuring it out.

I had to replace the u-joints in the rear drive shaft because I had a vibration coming off of stops. Of course, while it was apart I greased the slip yoke on the driveshaft. Voila! - jerk gone.

I think you will find if you grease the slip yoke the jerk will disappear. Unfortunately you must pull the driveshaft off - no grease zerks there.

[marioc89]

Ooooh thanks 4xq! I'll look into that.

[Towncivilian]

The rear driveshaft has a grease fitting on 2WD Pathfinders. I don't know why only the front does on 4WD Pathfinders. I wonder if there's a plug on 4WD models where the grease fitting would go. It would be quite easy to add one if so.

[Buzzman]

I have a 4WD Pathfinder, and there is a grease fitting on the drive shaft.
The oil change guys at the dealership didn't even know it was there until I showed them.
As for the jerking when going into neutral or park, that's perfectly normal when you are in AWD or 4WD mode.
It shouldn't jerk when you shut it down while in 2WD mode.
(I believe there is even a mention of this phenomenon in the user's manual, but I'll have to check before betting on it.)
Cheers.

[marioc89]

Thanks buzzman. Could you double check and see if it says that? I would really appreciate that.

[4xq]

Wow, that is surprising Buzzman. I thought the Q's and the Pathy were the same. Definitely no zerks on my QX4. Better yet if marioc89 has one!

[Buzzman]

Thanks buzzman. Could you double check and see if it says that? I would really appreciate that.

OK, sorry for the delay, but I found the paragraph in the owners manual that refers to the "jerking" effect.
Hope this helps.

[marioc89]

Thank you buzzman for getting back with me on this. Very much appreciated.