dreamgt Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I have a '94 Pathfinder, and I am the second owner. The first owner was a little old man who didn't do much of maintenance on the car, but then again it only had 40,000 miles on it. I have had it now for about 8 years, and have rebuilt the transmission and have had some work done on the car, always repairing it with stock parts. I have no complaints, one of the best trucks I have ever had! But one thing does bother me... The car seems to bounce a little bit, actually a LOT. It is sort of sickening at times, especially for the backseat driver. But it only bounces in the front , not the rear of the car. I replaced the shocks on the car, due to some worn old ones, and the problem has become worse. I know these trucks have torsion bars... now my question is: Is there a resolve to this problem with an adjustment of the torsion bar? Or a replacement in order? I searched the forums and found some good links on torsion bar adjustment and suspension lifts and body lifts which I want to eventually do...so I hope that an adjustment is the simple fix, so I can get on my way (monetarily) towards a bigger truck -- Mic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 You could adjust the tbars if they have sagged, also check the sway bar end links and tension rod bushings. Does it also shimmy a little bit on the highway? Bigger truck? Does that mean you're going to do that to the pathfinder or actually buy a bigger truck Welcome to the board Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I searched the forums and found some good links on torsion bar adjustment and suspension lifts and body lifts which I want to eventually do...so I hope that an adjustment is the simple fix, so I can get on my way (monetarily) towards a bigger truck Try an adjustment if the front seems low, just remember, an alignment is advised if you make any significant changes. It could be that just preloading the T-bars that much more will reduce the bounce, but I'd guess you need new front shocks. That's what is supposed to dampen the dip and sway of the suspension. Combination of the 2? Hard to tell from here... B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamgt Posted November 3, 2008 Author Share Posted November 3, 2008 You could adjust the tbars if they have sagged, also check the sway bar end links and tension rod bushings. Does it also shimmy a little bit on the highway? Bigger truck? Does that mean you're going to do that to the pathfinder or actually buy a bigger truck Welcome to the board Haha , I want to make the pathy bigger mate . I will spend some good time and inspect the parts. Thanks for the quick info guys! I'll come back here with my questions. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamgt Posted November 4, 2008 Author Share Posted November 4, 2008 Ok so, this car was handed down to me by my father recently. For the past 8 years it was just sort of the truck we took care of and tried to retain it's glory, but now I am finally being handed over the Pathy. I am a full blown Volkswagen enthusiast, I love German cars. But I love Off-roading, and have been doing it most of my life...especially on our farm, which spans a large mountain range in the rain forest and theres a lot of good trails on the rivers and such. But anyways the car does sometimes shimmy a bit on the highway, and I hear a clunking noise when it comes to turning corners and stuff, coming from the front end. It bounces up and down like crazy if you start going like 70 or so miles per hour on the uneven Puerto Rican highways, the damn thing starts flailing everywhere! I want to completely re-do the suspension system, 'hook it up' per say... I FEEL that this is like my only resolve to the situation. I spoke to my dad and he said the shocks are already 3 years old, and that the torsion bars have never been adjusted or replaced. The Springs in the back are completely shot it seems because the car is very low in the rear... if pics would help, let me know I can take some tomorrow morning. As far as the other suspension components go, they have never really been taken care of or replaced... so where exactly should I start when it comes to inspecting my system? Please help me out here, because honestly... I am lost and the search feature for this forum is very unfamiliar to me, so I am having a hard time doing any efficient searching. If I eventually intend to do a full make-over of the transmission system, I was wondering what the best route to go would be? I saw the kit of Calmini 3" Suspension lift for around $950 or so bills , it seems like a reasonable upgrade for the truck. But is it worth it? I am not sure what to do, actually, I am lost! Would I also need to invest in a body lift as well to accompany the SL or can I do this thing in steps (buy the SL first, then the BL, then the 33" inchers ) Thanks for the time you guys are taking to read out my posts...and sorry for this particularly long one! Cheers, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 So I guess you're over on VwVortex a lot? For the shimmy on the highway, its either unbalanced wheels, uneven tire pressure, tension rod bushings, worn steering (tie rods, ball joints, centerlink). Check the cheap stuff first, I have the same shimmy, it's scary! You can download the factory service manual from a link on this website as well. If its low in the rear, the springs have probably sagged. You don't have to do a BL and SL at the same time... I have a friend who likes his vdubs....keeps them mint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I am a full blown Volkswagen enthusiast, I love German cars. Well, John, I have a 1965 VW Bug Convertible Baja rolling chassis in the driveway I'd give you if you weren't a few countries away. It looks somewhat Mad Maxish, but is a hell of a dune buggy. The 78 convertible in the garage you can't have at all... Ok, as for search, practice. The key is in the advanced features, read the help and experiment. It does work ok, and you will need it in the future. Next, try only to address a single main question or related items in one thread. We'll help you with everything, it just makes it easier to read and reply. Ok, it sounds like bushings need attention, both in the front and rear. In the front, check the sway bar, control arm bushings and the tension arm (?) bushings (the arm pointing back from the lower control arm into the frame. The bushings wear and the rod enlarges the hole it goes through, slopping around). Jack it up and look for slop in your ball joints. See if there is any noticeable play in the center link and tie rod ends. In the rear look at the pan hard rod bushings (the one that goes from the axle to the frame) and the trailing arm bushings (from the frame to the rear axle). Do you have a manual? Down load this... (and read, read, read!) http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=9692 Make sure these bolts are tight.... The front cross member ones. http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=19042 That should be enough to keep you busy for a while. Depending on how much is worn out, a kit like the Calmini may be a good idea as it replaces the springs, ball joints, shocks, some bushings, torsion bars, etc. $950 is a little expensive, but it is all quality parts... B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamgt Posted November 9, 2008 Author Share Posted November 9, 2008 Hey guys, thanks for the replies! Sorry I didn't back any sooner, but just moved here to Puerto Rico and I am just settling in. Attending the University here now, good stuff... Anyways I am going to spend this coming week checking out the parts mentioned. As for my luv for vdubs, yeah I am Vwvortex often, my user name on there is the same as here. I had to leave the whip back in California though, sitting... a damn shame! Hahah I would pick up a Mad Maxx Style Dune Bug any day of the week, I am always set on a Vdub project car. Actually was going to buy a 1990 MKII Jetta here and fix it up, but decided to concentrate the spending towards upgrading the Pathy, which was recently handed down to me... Anyways-- I will get back to you guys nonetheless, thank you so much for your time and patience in responding! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Hey guys, thanks for the replies! Sorry I didn't back any sooner, but just moved here to Puerto Rico and I am just settling in. Attending the University here now, good stuff... Anyways I am going to spend this coming week checking out the parts mentioned. As for my luv for vdubs, yeah I am Vwvortex often, my user name on there is the same as here. I had to leave the whip back in California though, sitting... a damn shame! Hahah I would pick up a Mad Maxx Style Dune Bug any day of the week, I am always set on a Vdub project car. Actually was going to buy a 1990 MKII Jetta here and fix it up, but decided to concentrate the spending towards upgrading the Pathy, which was recently handed down to me... Anyways-- I will get back to you guys nonetheless, thank you so much for your time and patience in responding! John My friend has a 1992 MkII jetta.... And my other friend has a 99 I guess MKIV? That I had to pull out of the ditch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamgt Posted November 9, 2008 Author Share Posted November 9, 2008 My friend has a 1992 MkII jetta.... And my other friend has a 99 I guess MKIV? That I had to pull out of the ditch! Haha, the vdub should have been nowhere near a ditch . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamgt Posted November 9, 2008 Author Share Posted November 9, 2008 That should be enough to keep you busy for a while. Depending on how much is worn out, a kit like the Calmini may be a good idea as it replaces the springs, ball joints, shocks, some bushings, torsion bars, etc. $950 is a little expensive, but it is all quality parts... B Well, I have an Automatic Transmission, I don't know what that entails... I know 950 is a little pricey, so I was going to ask if you guys new of any other kits that are less expensive and as good or tolerably good. Also I would like to replace all the bushings and crud when I re-do the suspension, so I was wondering what online retailer you guys would recommend for these parts ? And if there are any quality aftermarket replacements... I know there is such a huge market in after market parts for VW's, I figure there has to be some quality 3rd party retailers around for nissan. Thanks again, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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