What did you do to your Pathfinder / QX4 today?

[Towncivilian]

Today I had a shop do the following:

• Replace front struts with KYB GR-2/Excel-Gs. RockAuto actually sent me a GR-2 and Excel-G, so my front struts are different colors! Heh. The front strut mounts were replaced with Raybestos kits and the lower strut mounting bolts were replaced with new OEM bolts as the FSM states to replace if removed.
• Replaced my radiator fan with a ton of cracks in it with a used one with just one crack (stupid of me to replace it with a used fan really, but meh)

That shop didn't deal with tires, so I went to Sears auto center and got the set of 4 Yokohama Geolandar AT/S 255/65/R16 tires that have been sitting in my garage for two months mounted, balanced, and got a 4-wheel alignment. When I picked my PF up, I didn't receive an alignment spec sheet as I asked for (though it was a different person at the service desk when I picked it up; the dude I dealt with earlier was way more competent) and my steering wheel still isn't centered when going down a straight road. I also get a clunk when turning the steering wheel in either direction sometimes, though I notice it only when stopped.

The ride is much improved again, it's definitely a large improvement over just new rear shocks.

[Chris.m]

the lower strut mounting bolts were replaced with new OEM bolts as the FSM states to replace if removed.

Having just replaced my shocks and struts, I could have sworn it was the nuts that needed to be replaced if removed.

That being said, I just looked over the fsm a couple of times, and it doesn't mention replacing either the nuts or the bolts...

[Towncivilian]

The "X" in the black circle next to the nuts signifies that they are to be replaced if removed.

[zach7685]

Added LED side Repeaters for the turn signal. And yes it gives me +15 HP so dont ask. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVywPl2M0AY&feature=plcp[/youtube]

[SBK03SE]

Any extra torque?

[AllTheTimeInTheWorld]

Off topic, but why do many vehicle owners leave the power mirror adjuster knob set to one side? Doesn't that waste power by keeping the relay, etc energized? Sure, it's a small amount, but still...

In some cars the center position turns on mirror defrost so you get used to leaving it to one side or another. I noticed this winter that the QX4 mirrors defrost without having to select anything. Built into the temp sensor system?

[Chris.m]

Off topic, but why do many vehicle owners leave the power mirror adjuster knob set to one side? Doesn't that waste power by keeping the relay, etc energized? Sure, it's a small amount, but still...

In some cars the center position turns on mirror defrost so you get used to leaving it to one side or another. I noticed this winter that the QX4 mirrors defrost without having to select anything. Built into the temp sensor system?

The side mirrors defrost when you press the rear window defrost button

[zach7685]

Any extra torque?

haha yup 3lb plus the extra 5 for tinting the tails XD

[Buzzman]

Took out my K & N filter last night and washed it out. Left it out today to dry, so I drove around with no air-filter, and the air box open.
Sounded really good when I hit the gas.
Drag raced a new(ish) Honda Accord this afternoon. Two lanes were narrowing down to one, and he was in the lane that was disappearing.
I guess he didn't want to be behind me.
Well, too bad so sad. I beat him out, and was he ever pissed.
Truck sounded good too when the revs went up (still no air-filter at this time).
He lost to a ten year old SUV with 267,000 Kms on it, with about 200 Lbs. of tools and equipment in the back.
I loved every second of it.
(Put the newly oiled filter back in tonight BTW).
Cheers.

[Towncivilian]

How often do you clean & re-oil that K&N? Too often is detrimental as all filters get more efficient as the media loads up with contaminants; your filter would actually be more efficient with a layer of dirt. What made you choose a K&N filter? Do you see any mileage or performance increase? I can't imagine there would be anything noticeable at anything short of wide open throttle; the throttle plate is more restrictive than the air filter in all other cases.

[Buzzman]

I don't clean my filters very often actually (I also have one in the Altima).
I probably ran close to two years on the current one without cleaning it.
It still wasn't that dirty. I don't do any off roading or drive on dirt roads, so the filters last a long time.
As for performance, it's debatable. Mileage hasn't really increased. It's been the same for years.
Also, I've had the K & N for so long now that I really can't remember what it was like before.
Two other things of interest: A while back I cut open that white plastic air thing in the front fender (looks like a cows udder)
I also cut out a piece of the top of the air box, just in front of the air-filter.
This way it sucks a little air in from under the hood. Sort of like a poor man's CAI.
Those two things seemed to make more of a difference. Throttle response is better, and it revs much easier.... and yes....it sounds better at wide open throttle
Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Gus. (my real name BTW).

[SBK03SE]

Had a mini photoshoot after getting my oil changed. Percy was a bit clean, so I made her pose

[ltsnotme]

Oil change time:



The oil looked very brown (after only about 4000 miles) :




And had metal shavings too:

[Towncivilian]

What's up with all the foam?

What oil & filter do you run? Metal shavings in the drain pan aren't the greatest of signs.

[ltsnotme]

What's up with all the foam?

What oil & filter do you run? Metal shavings in the drain pan aren't the greatest of signs.

That's just air bubbles forming from the oil stream hitting the surface I assume? Is that not normal?

This was mostly Quaker State 5W30 with a Fram Toughguard filter.


I got Mobil for my next oil change.

[Towncivilian]

Yeah, I guess it could be normal. I usually don't see any foam in the drain pan, but I usually change oil cold, which probably explains it.

Fram ToughGuards are decent filters - they have silicone anti-drainback valves, but otherwise are more or less identical to the Fram ExtraGuard. They don't have very much filtering media and use fiberboard end caps. I'd rather use a Purolator Classic, which have quite a bit more filtering media, metal end caps, and are cheaper than even the Fram ExtraGuard. It uses a nitrile ADBV, but this is not an issue in your climate and is acceptable for shorter oil change intervals (5k miles or less). Nitrile can become brittle and inflexible after long exposure to hot oil and may not seal as well in the winter time. See this post for some more information about oil filters.

[ltsnotme]

I'll try Purolator Classic next time.

Installed AirLift 1000 today. Getting ready for a camping trip next week.

[zach7685]

Yesterday I added a new aftermarket radio to my pathfinder. I went for the least offensive Alpine model. It has HD radio, Bluetooth hands free, Pandora, and the stander features. I had a question. My car had t the bose system and I wonder where the adapter module would be? it wasn't behind the dash i didn't install the original radio so I'm at a loss.

[Towncivilian]

Adapter module? Huh? The front door speakers have their own individual amplifiers and the rear two share an amplifier. You'll need something like this line output converter to properly retain the Bose system.

[PathyProject]

I detailed mine yesterday, as you may notice.



And I plan on getting my two front windows tinted today, if not today then Thursday.

[zach7685]

Adapter module? Huh? The front door speakers have their own individual amplifiers and the rear two share an amplifier. You'll need something like this line output converter to properly retain the Bose system.

I don't see a line output converter. Where would it be?

[Towncivilian]

One is not present from the factory. You will need to purchase one and wire it in yourself.

[zach7685]

I know this. I Got the car used. It had a Alpine unit in it when I got it. I replaced it with a better Alpine unit. When replacing it I didn't see an adapter. It still has the Bose speakers in it and its working fine. Where would it have been put by the previous owner. Would it be in the dash ? The trunk where the amp is ?

Sorry it was confusing the way I worded it.

[Towncivilian]

It would be between the head unit's wiring harness and the vehicle's wiring harness.

[Densetsu]

What did I do to my Pathy today? Absolutely nothing.

What did I do to a totaled Pathy at an auto wreckers? Stole the steering transfer gear from it to replace mine. Easy as pie to get at, but one end had a decent amount of rust and I needed a hammer to separate it from the steering column. The next time I have a full day to myself on a weekend, I'll be replacing it.

Oh, and the prices for this part: $810 from the dealer, $534+S/H from courtesyparts, $29.99 from the lot. I've never heard of this part failing before, so I figure it must be a reliable part and thus I have no issue going used.

[Chris.m]

You're lucky your lot is so cheap, over here, they charged me $15 for the rear window defroster switch.... plus tax

[Densetsu]

True; but on the other hand, they have a total of one Pathfinder, and it's been stripped. Slim pickings.

I kind of miss going to that lot twice a month for parts. Ah, the fun that was owning a 90's Chev.

[gcjazz12]

Today added new mud guards .... Lost them when removing the old running boards. Hard to tell there is anything new added, but I knew it was missing something when they weren't there.

[Towncivilian]

Today I cleaned the A/C condenser using Simple Green and a garden hose. I also wiped down the door jambs and some other surfaces with Simple Green. I also put one of the larger, old bottles of Gumout Regane High Mileage into the gas tank. I got 4 for $3 each at Big Lots. It's so hot and humid here in Florida that I don't feel like cleaning anything else today.

[zach7685]

Today I added a soft closure string mechanism to my glove box. I love it I don't know why most dont have it
It's spring loaded.


All you need is the unit ans the two screws. Pulled it from a 1998 model I belive?