rokris8079

Well I just did my second oil change in the 97 pathy. The first one was a disaster. The first time I got oil all over the place when I took off the filter. I only let the oil drain out of the pan for about 10 minutes when I moved on to the filter. As soon as I unscrewed the filter oil came gushing out and went everywhere. So this time I decided I would drain the pan for a long time and then tackle the filter. I drained the pan for almost an hour. There was still a slight drip but nothing like the first time. Then I moved on to the filter and sure enough when I unscrewed it oil went all over the place. Is there a better way to do this? Also now I got oil all over the rack and pinnion and everything else around there. I wiped off as much as I could but is this OK? This is the biggest PITA oil change ever. Especially because of that dam splash gaurd. Does it really need SO many bolts holding it on? This is more of a rant than anything else but if anyone has any info for me it would be appreciated. On a side note the first time I poured 4 whole quarts in and it was way over filled. So this time I decided I would only pour in 3 and a quarter quarts. Which is a quarter quart less than recommended. When I go to check the oil it is still showing too much oil. Whats with that? And I hate that dam dipstick! I wish there was a flat style instead of the weighted line style that it has.

I had my infiniti g20 turbo'ed. If there is an exhaust manifold that will fit everything else would be relatively easy. Fabricating the piping for intercooler and for the downpipe should be a piece of cake. It wasnt hard in the g20 and there is more room in a r50. As far as the computer goes greddy e-manage is a piggy back system. It works great and can easily be tuned. I seen about a 90% increase in hp/tq running just 6lbs of boost. A small turbo running 7lb or less would have great response and low end torque. Especially with 3.3 liters spinning the turbo. It would have nothing up top but who needs that in an suv. On a side note if the sc xterra engine and the pathy engine are so close can the sc be fitted to the Pathfinder? Sorry for such a newb question?

Yeah if the new mounts, bearings, links and struts don't fix the clunk I am going to get a new sway bushing. They are only like $5 and I can put it in myself. Does anyone know if ES sells a sway bushing for the Pathfinder?

I just picked up some moog mounts and bearings. My bearing are plastic also. They are going in next week. I will let you know how they are.

tires are 265. I guess I am driving an se with all the goodies also!

Well I ordered the parts! Advanced doesn't carry the kyb's anymore so I had to buy them online. I got struts (kyb), mounts and bearings (moog), and sway links (moog). Total came up to $270 shipped from www.rockauto.com. I hope the moogs are ok. I had them on my 240 for over 100k miles with never a problem. Can't wait till everything comes in! It's gonna be a nice ride when she's done.

I have been trying to figure this out. I read all the standard options for the different models in 1997 but I still can't figure it out. Here is a list of whats on the truck: leather, heated seats (non-power), climate control, alloys, bose stereo, fender flares, black bumpers and grill, digital compass and thermometer, 4x4 w/floor lever, automatic, power moonroof, fog lights, privacy glass, roof rack, and side steps. I thought it was an LE but through research it says LE's have chrome bumper caps and grill. Also don't the LE's come with side panels and a dash switch for the 4x4? I guess it's an XE with a bunch of options? What do you guys think? I checked my registration, title and even ran the vin with no luck. Thanks!

No problem for the link guys! If someone has another fsm I can ask the site owner to host it. I don't know if putting up the 1997 is worth it because I don't think there is a difference between the 1997 and the 1996. But if someone has a 99.5 and up in digital format let me know! By the way for the link above that RowOSU posted I believe you have to either buy the manual or buy a subscription to view the manuel online.

I just thought I would share this knowledge. Go to www.phatg20.net and under fsm there is a free dl of the 1996 FSM. I am sure there is useful info in their for many other years too. It is free but the person who runs the site gladly takes donations. It can't be cheap to host all the fsm's and stuff he has on there. You also have to register in order to dl the fsm. Regristration is fast and easy. Enjoy!

Thanks for all the replies. I am going to go with the kyb's. I was thinking of getting the gabriels only because I get a discount and can get them dirt cheap. I will get the strut mounts and bearings from Nissan as well as the sway links. I am probably going to skip the boots only because several people and my mechanic friend said they aren't necassary. I know they are cheap but I am really struggling for cash. Has anyone used www.partznet.com? They have really good prices and the shipping is free for the US.

Yes I just found a owners manual online and no there isn't any trans lights. Funny my auto Nissan 240sx didn't have them either. I guess Nissan felt this wasn't neccassary in any of there cars in the 90's. Well I did find out that Nissan has all the owners manuals in pdf format on their website! So if anyone is missing their manual and need to look something up go there.

I was wondering if the Pathfinder is suppose to have the transmission lights on the dash. You know the ones that if your in park or neutral it lights up P or N on the dash. There seems to be a place on my dash for the lights but it doesn't light up? I was wondering if its there and I just need to replace a fuse or what.

Are the kyb gr-2's good? I have had them on my cars and loved them. They wanted like an extra $40 for a set of monroe's. I was really surprised to see that the kybs are the cheapest. I am going to get all Nissan oem parts for everything else. Unless someone can suggest something better. How are moog products? Are they better than OEM or should I just stick with the Nissan stuff.

When I rock the truck from the passenger side I can hear the clunk. I haven't had anyone around so that I could rock it while I'm holding the link though. Well this strut job is turning into a pretty big task. I originally just planned on replacing the struts. Then it turned into struts, strut mounts, and bearings. Then I had to add the dust boots becasue I realized they are shredded. And now I have to get the sway bar links too. Anyone have any suggestions on where is the cheapest place to get these items. I am planning on getting the struts from advanced auto. They have them for 59.99 each. 4x4parts has the mounts and bearings for $43.99 per side. They also have the dust boots for $14.95 each. Then I would have to pay for shipping which is another $20. Is there anywhere cheaper I can get these parts? Maybe somewhere where I can get the links, boots, bearings and mounts all at the same place for a good deal. Any info is apprecaited.

Hello I have been browsing the forum for a while and finally registered. I have a 97 Pathfinder that was a third/winter vehicle for my wife. We are expecting our first child so in order to save money we sold her 240sx and made the Pathfinder her primary vehicle. Now that she drives it every day I decided it was time to start fixing her up. It definately needs struts in the front. The boots are all torn and I am pretty sure the struts are leaking. Not to mention when you hit a bump it bounces alot. I am going to buy KYB's, new mounts and bearings as well as the dust boots. My question is should I replace the sway bar endlinks at the same time. I am getting a clunk and through my research many people say its the endlinks. I did a visual inspection and there wasn't any play. I mean I couldn't shake them around by hand or anything and the bushings looked ok to me at least. Obviously you have to disconnect them to do the struts so in theory there shouldn't be any labor charge, right? Can I just replace the bushings or do I have to buy the whole links? I know pressing in bushings can be a real pain but I found bushings for around $5 for all of them and the links with the bushings go for about $20 a piece. Any help is appreciated Thanks!