Hello,
I have a '98 pathy se with about 80k on it. Lately, I've noticed the front end bouncing around quite a bit on the slightest of bumps at speed. It's like I have no dampening at all. Does it sound like I need to replace the struts?

If so, does everyone still recommend the KYB GR-2s or has someone tried the ranchos yet? Anyone have a website I should order from?
Thanks!
Mike

if it's overly bouncy up front, time for new struts. I love the KYBs and the local KYB supplier here said they have a lifetime warranty on them. (could be wrong)

Thanks for the response. I once saw a link posted for a place that sold the KYBs for about $130/pair if I remember correctly. Does anyone have a link to a place where I can order them? And, do I have the model right, GR-2?

yeah it's a GR2 for $130 a pair!!!!!!!!!!! I got mine from the local distributor at $99 a piece... maybe $130 a piece, but a pair!! that's awesome..


if your pathfinder was built post pre 11/98 A/C has them for $65 per strut..

http://www2.autopartsauthority.com/parts/autopartsauthority/quote.jsp?year=1997&product=L3000-112873&application=000806483&part=Strut%20Assembly&category=L


KYB $74.09

$65/ each is a great price, thanks!

I have a question about lifting the front suspension on my '98 and I'm sure it's a topic that has been driven into the ground, so I apologize in advance...

I would like to raise the front of the truck to match the ride height of the rear for 1)a little more ground clearance, and 2)to make it look more like a truck. I figure I need about 1.5 - 2" to accomplish these things. I feel like the rear of the truck is high enough. And I like my 31 x 10.5 tire size.

That being said and with my needing to replace the front struts anyways, am I better off buying some 2" coils and installing those with the struts or can I just get by with cranking my torsion bars? Will the performance & ride quality be better with one or the other? If I do springs, do I remove the torsion bars? Is there anything else involved with the 2" spring lift, such as steering mods?

Thanks in advance for your time and input and I apologize if I'm a little off with my questions. I believe I understand the concepts by reading these posts, but then again, I may not.
Mike

I just installed the kybs, they are nice and firm. I had a shake in the steering wheel when my left strut blew.

As far as lift goes, I have the AC coils. You do need to adjust camber after lift. I have some pix on my site of how I did that.

You do not have T bars, only 95and older pathys.

Thanks Barry.

I did get the KYB's installed and what a difference. Too bad I didn't have my ducks in a row, I could have had them install some longer coils while they were at it. Oh well, maybe I'll take that on someday when I have the time and money. I'll probably have a question or two for you when I do, Great website!
Mike

No problem Mike. I will be updating the caster fix page when I modify the GR2s soon.

Barry,
This is off topic for this thread, but do you know how much gear oil the 5 speed trannys take? I changed out my tranny oil this weekend and put 5 qts of Redline 75/90 wt. in there, and since I did that shifting to 2nd gear is a little sticky when the truck is cold. By sticky I mean that shifting to 2nd feels a little clunky not as smooth as the other gears. My thoughts are that I may need to just put a little more oil in there. I guess on the old pathys you have to force a little more gear oil in there because the fill hole is not at the right height for the amount that you need. Maybe the same is true for the R50s?
Thanks,
mike

Barry,
I need to check if I put 75/90 or mt90 in my tranny. If I put the GL-5 in there then that would be my problem. I'm hoping that I put the latter in and I'm just getting the names confused.

But it you know the capacity that will still help.
Mike

I use CAstrol 90 wt, I use gl5 for my LSD rear end.

I just fill to the fill hole on all My Nissan vehicles. I do not measure the quanity used. Never used redline. Hope that helps. Just make sure the vehicle is on level ground and not on jack stands when filling. I use the little pumps.

Thanks Barry,
I did put GL-4 in there so I'm ok there. I used the little pump with a milk gallon jug to fill the tranny too. I read somewhere that the capacity is 5-6 qts, so if the problem persists, I may try to put a half a little more in since I'm at 5 qts. right now.
Mike