Help save me money!

[96SE]

Well, with the help of some of the links on this forum, I finally tracked down the source of my chronic wobbling problem. The upper and lower rear links/control arms have worn out bushings. I checked it out today and I can feel crumbly rubber and I can twist the link a fair bit, so I'm pretty sure that's my problem.

Here's a link to it: http://www.nissanhelp.com/Ownership/Bullet...8/NTB98-001.htm

 

Next problem: the dealership would like to give me all new upper and lower links for a mere $600. Sure, they are Canadian dollars, but I'm partial to keeping as many of mine as I can . Looking around again tonight I stumbled upon everythingnissan.com, which shows that replacement bushings are available. Is there any reason that simply replacing the bushings won't work, or do I really need all new links like the dealer says?

 

This link has a good diagram of the rear suspension. The dealership wants me to buy parts 7 and 9 (links with bushings); can I just buy 8 and 10 and have them pressed in somewhere?

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...=10&catalogid=1

Thanks

 

Adam

[Simon]

You can replace the bushings, as some have done, but it's VERY difficult if I remember correctly. You will need to burn out the old bushings, and press in the new ones......Not an easy job. BUt if you can get the old one's out without ruining the links, and bring them somewhere to have the new bushings pressed in, you could save quite a few of those lowly CDN dollars we cherish so much.

[mws]

I replaced mine, and Simon is correct - it is difficult to do as Nissan has designed those puppies to fit in there very well. But the effort is definitely worth it!

 

http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=9867

http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=9787

Edited September 29, 2006 by mws

[96SE]

So I gathered from those other threads that this is not something I can do in my own driveway with a rubber mallet! I would assume that a local garage would be able to do this if I brought the old links and new bushings in; am I wrong?

Thanks

[Pathfinder Phil]

Well, never done it, but MAYBE a big vise could be used to press them in? Make your own press from a hydraulic jack and metal framework? Also, pulling those bolts out that hold the links in isn't gonna be fun. I'd start with the PB Blaster now.

[mws]

Yeah, rubber mallet ain't gonna help on this job!

 

I was loading my 12 ton hydraulic arbor press pretty high to get them in - at least 3 or 4x the force to push bushings into my Chevy. And the shells were greased with anti-seize and left in the freezer for at least an hour before insertion.

 

The much harder part was getting the old ones out. The 12 ton would not even scare them, let alone budge them. They required a lot of hammering with air hammer - folding the bushing shell over on itself to the inside (reverse banana peel) about halfway down and then they would start creeping out.

 

Without an HD air hammer and 10 ton+ arbor press, you will be in for a long battle.

 

But it was SO worth it!

[mws]

And yes, any good local shop should be able to do it. But I have two suggestions:

 

1) Use a good shop you trust. The amount of force required is tremendous. A stupid knuckle dragger mis-applying that much force can cause significant damage.

 

2) Have them do ALL of the bushings you want done at the same time. If you have them do only a couple and then bring it back 6 weeks later to do a couple more, odds are they will lock the door in your face. Or charge you 10X more than the first job... It is a time consuming bitch of a job.

[96SE]

2) Have them do ALL of the bushings you want done at the same time. If you have them do only a couple and then bring it back 6 weeks later to do a couple more, odds are they will lock the door in your face. Or charge you 10X more than the first job... It is a time consuming bitch of a job.

Definitely a good point. I might not be such a valued customer after that job! I'll have to take a look around; I'm just getting into this stuff so I'm not up to speed on the reputable shops in this area (Ottawa/Gatineau).

Thanks