NovaPath Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 My 01 pathfinder seems especially jarring over speed humps/speed bumps. It is almost like the back end bottoms out or something, but taking a speed hump at 15mph will leave you feeling very uncomfortable once the back end hits it.I'm thinking of replacing the shocks to see if that helps, does anyone else have any ideas? I can't imagine thats just how these things are...but I guess with the solid axle rear it's possible? Would it help to put some rubber spring spacers in?Please Help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrariowner123 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Sounds like early signs of the "sway of death". Check rear bushings, especially rear panhard bar it's the bar at the back of the rear axle that runs parallel to it. It helps to keep the rear axle centered. Report back what you find. -Kyle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick88ss Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 I have a pair of brand new Kyb shock for a 2001 for sale. Are you in the US or Canada? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NovaPath Posted November 22, 2014 Author Share Posted November 22, 2014 My understanding of the death sway is more of a side to side movement, this is a harsh slap type of feeling coming from the rear end, could that be caused by the same bushings? I am located in northern Virginia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Probably blown out shocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushnut Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 go outside to your truck stand on the bumper or trailer hitch and try and bounce it... if it is easy to push up and down your shocks are dead. the springs are there to support the weight of the vehicle, the shocks control how fast everything moves up and down. when they are dead the springs are overwhelmed by the speed of the rear end moving up and then the rubber bump stops are smashed by the rear axle. the rear shocks are fairly easy to replace yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NovaPath Posted November 23, 2014 Author Share Posted November 23, 2014 I will do this tomorrow and report back. I know that one of the rear shocks was leaking slightly, but I have not noticed any bouncing yet. I was waiting for the bouncing prior to replacing, perhaps that was a misinformed decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul.thoroughgood.3 Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 When I bought my pathy, I thought the ride was pretty good but I was hell bent on doing the 2" lift. I was more than surprised to see just how poor the back shocks were. It wouldn't have been long before they would've been causing issues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushnut Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 I will do this tomorrow and report back. I know that one of the rear shocks was leaking slightly, but I have not noticed any bouncing yet. I was waiting for the bouncing prior to replacing, perhaps that was a misinformed decision. if in the future any part of your truck is leaking, think of it as bleeding precious bodily fluid. No good will come of it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NovaPath Posted November 28, 2014 Author Share Posted November 28, 2014 Well the rear shocks seem to be working just fine when given the jump test. I definitely understand what you are saying bushnut, and the car that this one replaced I OVER maintained. Part of the reason I got rid of it(aside from being impractical in the mid atlantic weather and traffic) was because I needed a break from my obsession. I committed to myself(and my wife!) on this one that I would take the "if its not broke don't fix it" approach. All in all it is in pretty good shape, but I would like to sort out this issue. I may add some spring spacers and replace the rear shocks, if that doesn't fix it I'll probably just live with it. Thanks again for your help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick88ss Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 If the shocks are ok if may very well be the rear control arm bushings. Come to think of it mine would do the same thing when going over speed bumps. I didn't have that much death wobble but it did feel better over speed bumps after I replaced the 4 rear control arms. Have fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fixinto Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 sounds like the guys have it pretty well in hand from what i have read. I have rubber bump stops mounted to the bottom floor inside the spring for the rear. not sure about the 01 if im honest. but see if those are missing or fell off or something if you have them. there is somewhere on the forum u can grab a FSM that will help guide you as well. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manik Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 If the shocks are ok if may very well be the rear control arm bushings. Come to think of it mine would do the same thing when going over speed bumps. I didn't have that much death wobble but it did feel better over speed bumps after I replaced the 4 rear control arms. Have fun Just corrected this issue with mine a few months ago. I'd check the upper links on the rear end. Mine would get incredibly stupid at 60-65 mph if I hit the slightest bump in the road. Bubba..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now