Matthew K

To update this post, just wanted to let you all know that the culprit is a loose or shot bearing in the passenger front wheel.... Thanks for the advice. Matt

Thanks for the tip!! In my last post I said I took it to a reputable shop, but unfortunately even they couldn't pin-point the problem. I'll have to take a closer look at that bushing. What's weird is that it doesn't happen on all bumps, or all the time for that matter. In fact, it's more noticeable at low speeds, sometimes when I pull away from a stop and other times on slight bumps or dips in the road. Thanks again! Matt

Jason, I guess it wasn't really a noise that I heard, but I could feel something that just didn't seem right in the steering wheel, like something in the steering was shifting. When the PF was put up on a lift, the front right wheel could be moved up and down slightly, making the same sort of jolt/slop that I felt through the wheel. Yeah, ~$400 is steep. I'm going to change the bearings myself this week... Could the whistling in your front end be the universal joints? Matt

Vengeful- Thanks very much for your response and the helpful information. This is something I can handle, I just need to get a couple new tools! Thanks again. Matt

Hello, After taking my 01 Pathy to 4 shops, the final one told me that I needed to either tighten or replace the bearing in the front passenger side wheel. (I had taken my PF in because I could some play through the steering wheel in something in the front end like the steering components or suspension...turns out the wheel bearing is the culprit). Anyway, I bought a Haynes Manual but don't see it listed. Is this something that's difficult to do? Merchant's wanted ~$400 for parts and labor to install new inner and outer bearings on both front wheels since they said all of them should be done at the same time. Thanks! Matt

Thank you guys for your replies. Sometimes the guys at the shop look at me like I'm crazy, but I know the noise is there. Anyway, I just dropped my Pathy off at a local shop that does good work. They should be calling me back this morning to give me their take. I'll let you know what they say about it! Thanks again... Matt

Big Johnson It's not really a clunk. The best way I can describe it is like a heavy rubber mallet hitting something. All I can imagine is the rear end bottoming out on the bump stops, but I'm not really going over bumps hard at all. I took it in to National Tire Battery (NTB) today and the guy said I needed new struts and shocks because of the way the tires were wearing and slight leakage...but the Pathy's only 4 years old. Should I need new shocks and struts so soon? Maybe I do, but I'm taking it in to another shop for a second opinion... Thanks for the reply.. Matt

I have another question about my 01 SE (4WD automatic). When I'm driving I sometimes hear a weird noise coming from the rear end, almost like a hard rubber-type noise (for lack of better description). It usually happens at low speed or turns, but is sometimes more apparent if I go over a big enough speed bump at a slow speed. The strange thing is that I don't always hear it over bumps in the road. The shocks seem to be fine and the spare tire is secured tightly. I'm thinking it may be the bump stops...do these go bad? I bought the vehicle with 41K miles and it seems like the previous owner took good care of it. Any suggestions before I take it in to the dealer? Thanks much. Matt

Hi all, I've got another question about my 01 Pathfinder (SE, 51K miles, automatic). When I go over a bump or make a turn on a steep incline like in the parking garage, I feel some play in the steering wheel in the up/down direction. As this is happening, I sometimes hear/feel a bumping noise coming from the steering. I know that on bumps and inclines the suspension is being stretched as is the steering system. Is this normal? Are there lube points on the steering system that will help minimize this play? Thanks again. Matt

I have a '01 Pathfinder with 51K miles (automatic). Lately when I first drive off in the morning (high 40's-mid 50's in the morning in Virginia), it seems as though there's not a fluid transition from first to second gear, almost as though the transmission is slipping some. I've checked the fluid level/color and it seems okay, and the transmission shifts fine during the day or, coincidentally when the outside temperature is higher or when the engine has been run for a while. Is it recommended to let the Pathfinder warm up fully in the morning, or is this normal for the Pathfinder transmissions? Thanks for your help. Matt

I've got a 2001 and had the same dilemna. My XM Roady came with a swivel mount that has double sided tape on the back. On my Jeep this wasn't a problem since there were a few options. I finally went to Home Depot and bought a plastic junction box for a light switch. If you turned it sideways, the height was perfect for the little "cubby hole" beneath the stereo. All I had to do was cut the back corners off at an angle (since the hole gets more narrow as it goes back) and it fit near perfectly. Then, I put one strand of double sided tape around the box to take up the remainder of the slack, painted it all black and put it in the hole. It looks pretty much factory now! Good luck. Matt

Hello all, I tried to perform a search of previous posts for this but you have to search for something four characters or longer, so "gas" wouldn't work. I have a '01 Pathfinder and the manual recommends 91 or 93 octane. I haven't tried anything lower yet so I'm jus trying to see if this is a no-brainer and stick with the high-octane stuff, or if anyone has experience with lower-grade fuel and thinks otherwise. Thanks... Matt

Does anyone know where I can get spray paint to re-spray some interior vinyl parts (like the ashtray)? I've tried all the parts stores, and even the dealer doesn't sell it. Thanks. Matt

I have it on my 01 as well. It seems to be one of the vents in the dash. It looks as though those vents just pop into the dashboard and one of them has become loose.

Hello all- I just acquired an 01 SE 4X4 automatic. My dealer has yet to supply a manual and I'm trying to figure out how to engage 4 wheel drive. I can shift the lever down and notice the green light on the dash indicating 4 wheel drive. But I can't seem to shift the lever the other way. Can someone please give me the guidelines for shifting into 4 wheel drive, speeds you should do it at etc? Also, I was wondering if someone knows the site to determine if there are recalls out on the vehicle and whether or not those recalls may have been taken care of yet? Thanks very much!!! Matt