frankle1

Well, I have decided to sell it - I don't have the energy or time to do the fix. If you are interested the truck is located in New Paltz, NY (zip 12561). Details: 1995 Nissan Pathfinder XE, 82K miles. Automatic transmission, NO RUST, power windows/locks, cruise control, remote start. I am the second owner of this car. VIN#JN8HD17Y5SW100222

Got it back to NY....on my way home for the holidays. The shop took off the front drive shaft, but didn't touch anything else, I drove it for about 100 miles and it ran fine. Any websites or posting with instructions on pulling the front diff? How do I tell if I have a WD21? It is a 1995 XE, automatic. Thanks for all the advice, so far the biggest expense has been the 1 week rental car - the shop charged $175 for pulling the front drive shaft.

Thanks, will try this, hopefully it will work. Anyone know where I can get a used front differential?

Spoke to the shop - the guy said he will remove the driveshaft which goes to the differential and that should work...does this make sense? I assumed the hubs would also have to be removed, but maybe not? thanks for all the help!

Thanks for the great link laxman....makes sense now. I am not sure at all about how it drives in 2wd - I did not try it, since I was loaded down with the GF, dog and suitcases I was trying to get back on the road with a rental, but I am kicking myself now for not spending a few minutes giving it a try, as I thought of it. I agree with the assessment of this shop, when I spoke to him yesterday he again kept repeating "you need a new front rear", I asked if he meant a front differential, and he agreed. He said that I also needed new axles because they were "moving around like crazy" but unless this was caused by the differential problem, I know for a fact they are fine, because I just had it up on a lift looking at everything about 3 weeks ago. I like the idea of replacing the hubs, maybe that will give them something to do so the shop will not be so bent out of shape and get me back on the road. Is there a specific part number? Where is the best place to get these?

Is it difficult to remove the auto hubs? Would someone briefly explain how this works to me? The auto hubs are the things in the center of the wheel, correct? and removing them will stop the drive train from spinning?

About 260 miles to home... if anyone would like to buy it, I would gladly sell it at this point. The shop guy said that it could not be driven in 2 wheel drive because the "differential will still spin" - in other words there will still be spinning gears (or spinning mass of metal, given that the gears are probably a mess) which could again heat up and cause a fire. Does this make sense to those of you with more knowledge of the mechanics of this truck?

Yeah - that's what he said "front rear differential" but I assume he meant front differential. I am quite sure that it was completely dry - I never noticed any leaking - but the sound it made certainly sounded like gears grinding up. It was in the middle of the snow-storm so I was going anywhere from 45 - 60 mph, constantly in 4 wheel drive. I wish it had happened closer to home, because I definitely could hear a big repair bill in the guys voice at the shop. He said that if he had to buy the differential new he would recommend trashing the pathy because it would cost more than it is worth! He was going to check junk yards but he said he needed to find out the gear ratio first - does that make sense? So do you think that if I can get the front hubs to let go, I can drive it in 2 wheel drive? Or would that cause a problem? I thought to trying that before I left it at the shop, but I was worried about causing more damage.

Hello all - I have a question - I was driving from NYC to Pittsburgh in the snow this weekend in my 1995 Pathfinder XE and had the 4 wheel drive engaged, about 1/2 through the trip I noticed a slight burning smell followed by a loud whining noise, then smoke from under the hood. I pulled over and there were some flames from down low under the engine which died relatively quickly. I have the truck in a shop in the middle of PA, and they are telling me it is the front rear differential which has "burned-up". Given what happened that seems to fit the situation.....does anyone know how much this might cost? Should I junk it....otherwise it is in great shape, body is good, only about 85,000 on it, but clearly I should have done some preventive maintenance on the differential. Thanks in advance Gordon

How did you find that part on nissanparts.cc?? I can't seem to find the place to select a 1995 Pathfinder.

Thanks for that fast reply!

Hi - The dog (when he was a puppy) chewed the rear carpeting where it meets the seats on my 1995 Pathy. Does anyone know how to go about replacing this, or where to buy the carpet? Thanks

check www.craigslist.org the listings are local by city and often the deals are better. that's where I got my 1995 XE with 44K for $5600

thanks I feel better!

I went to change the oil at one of those quick lube places. I also wanted them to change the transmission fluid (see post below "transmission problems" - which has not happened again). They convinced me to get the 'power flush' for the transmission where they roll our this big machine with a neon light on it, hook it into the transmission circuit at the radiator and then run the car for a bit until the fluid has been replaced. Is this really different then just draining and replacing the fluid?? I am really not convinced but it cost quite a bit more!