Roswellien Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Hello all I am new here. Ive been lurking for a little while reading how-to's and working on my pathy and its running better then ever. But now I have a question which I can not seem to find an answer too anywhere on the web. I have a 96 Pathfinder SE with Electronic Adjust suspension. I just rolled over 93k miles and have been putting off replacing the front struts for about a year now, but it has now gotten so bad that the front end of the pathy actually sags and I can bounce it so much that I can bring the front tires off the ground. So its gotten very dangerous and I indeed now have to replace the struts. The problem being that I am currently unemployed so money is very tight. While I can afford to purchase the OEM electronic adjust struts the cheapest I can find them is for $257 shipped. But I can get a set of KYBs, Gabriels, Monroes, or even Ranchos for half that but they all say they do not fit the electronic adjust. So the question is what would be the cheapest/safest way to replace the front struts on a 96 pathfinder se with electronic adjust? A little help would be great in this area as my mechanic friend that will be helping me replace them is completely unsure if non-adjust struts will fit in the stock mounts. Thank you in advance. The Pathfinder in question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Sorry, I don't have the answer but I will move this to the specific forum for your year pathy. That should help generate the correct answer. Good luck... B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roswellien Posted August 31, 2009 Author Share Posted August 31, 2009 Sorry, I don't have the answer but I will move this to the specific forum for your year pathy. That should help generate the correct answer. Good luck... B Thank you sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoPathyGo Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Try www.car-part.com for salvage yards across the US. If you're lucky, you may find a salvage yard in your area that has it. Given it's a 1996 and we have had this infatuation with new cars drilled into us by the manufacturers and marketers, 1996 is now considered "old" so parts are cheaper. A quick search revealed some for $50 apiece. Some of the listings are shills designed to get you to call but many are real. I've had good luck with the site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roswellien Posted August 31, 2009 Author Share Posted August 31, 2009 Well I do want to go with new parts personally if at all possible, but there is a shop locally here that shows a used set in stock so that maybe PERFECT. I know its more expensive but I would feel better about it since I don't plan on changing vehicles any time soon. I guess my big question is can I purchase a set of say Monroe Sensa-Trac Front Struts assemblies and fit them without modification on the 96 SE. I know the Electronic adjust equipment would need to be removed, but If the strut mount is all the same I would be in Heaven. I was quoted $1k with new parts and install and alignment at a local shop, but I have found just the OEM parts for $260 and should be able to install them with my friend and then have the shop do the $50 alignment afterwards. If I can get a set of KYB's or Monroes I can get it all done for $200 total and that would leave me enough to pay off my Pathy and have some living funds left over. Thanks again in advance for opinions and info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoPathyGo Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Well I do want to go with new parts personally if at all possible, but there is a shop locally here that shows a used set in stock so that maybe PERFECT. I know its more expensive but I would feel better about it since I don't plan on changing vehicles any time soon. I guess my big question is can I purchase a set of say Monroe Sensa-Trac Front Struts assemblies and fit them without modification on the 96 SE. I know the Electronic adjust equipment would need to be removed, but If the strut mount is all the same I would be in Heaven. I was quoted $1k with new parts and install and alignment at a local shop, but I have found just the OEM parts for $260 and should be able to install them with my friend and then have the shop do the $50 alignment afterwards. If I can get a set of KYB's or Monroes I can get it all done for $200 total and that would leave me enough to pay off my Pathy and have some living funds left over. Thanks again in advance for opinions and info. New is always nicer. But look at the bright side - with the $150 you save over buying new, you could buy a 2nd set of used! Besides, suppose something else goes and now you have a non-working Pathy with brand new struts that only fit it ? Not that I'd know anything about that kind of situation. *cough* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96path4x4 Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 I have the same truck as you do and I had to replace mine around 70K. I just installed aftermarket generic struts and disconnected the switch. The truck just turned 130K and it has been great. Definitely not worth the investment to install OEM. Hope this helps. Hello all I am new here. Ive been lurking for a little while reading how-to's and working on my pathy and its running better then ever. But now I have a question which I can not seem to find an answer too anywhere on the web. I have a 96 Pathfinder SE with Electronic Adjust suspension. I just rolled over 93k miles and have been putting off replacing the front struts for about a year now, but it has now gotten so bad that the front end of the pathy actually sags and I can bounce it so much that I can bring the front tires off the ground. So its gotten very dangerous and I indeed now have to replace the struts. The problem being that I am currently unemployed so money is very tight. While I can afford to purchase the OEM electronic adjust struts the cheapest I can find them is for $257 shipped. But I can get a set of KYBs, Gabriels, Monroes, or even Ranchos for half that but they all say they do not fit the electronic adjust. So the question is what would be the cheapest/safest way to replace the front struts on a 96 pathfinder se with electronic adjust? A little help would be great in this area as my mechanic friend that will be helping me replace them is completely unsure if non-adjust struts will fit in the stock mounts. Thank you in advance. The Pathfinder in question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morpheus Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Pop your hood and look at the top of the struts. theres an electronic actuator at the top of each. remove the actuator and install regular non-adjustable ones. they will bolt right up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roswellien Posted September 1, 2009 Author Share Posted September 1, 2009 I have the same truck as you do and I had to replace mine around 70K. I just installed aftermarket generic struts and disconnected the switch. The truck just turned 130K and it has been great. Definitely not worth the investment to install OEM. Hope this helps. My god that is exactally what I wanted to hear. That is a godsend, caught my costs by literally 60%. Now to just choose the struts and take the plunge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roswellien Posted September 1, 2009 Author Share Posted September 1, 2009 Pop your hood and look at the top of the struts. theres an electronic actuator at the top of each. remove the actuator and install regular non-adjustable ones. they will bolt right up. Thats what i was "figuring" but you never know when a manufacture wants to make 1 part just a little bit different so that you cant do it easily your self. But like I said above this is awesome news. So now its time for opinions on strut assemblies, from everything I've read KYB's are off the list. So Im thinking either Rancho's or high end Monroe's. I am not looking for any lift just good reliable struts. Again thanks a ton, I feel as if a huge weight has been lifted off me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HitTheTrails Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Go with KYB struts. You said they are "off the list" but many people here, including me, use KYB stuts are are very happy with them. They don't come with strut boots though, so you'll also have to buy those, just get generic ones. KYB strut mounts have been know to be poor though, so go with OEM strut mounts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180sx Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 KYB-GR2's and OEM Mounts. Since your re-using your old mounts, you should be fine. But I do recomend replacing your strut bearings at the same time. Jose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roswellien Posted September 2, 2009 Author Share Posted September 2, 2009 Yeh I went back and reread some of the things I had read and realized the bad KYB stuff wasn't the struts. I actually already ordered th KYB GR-2s this morning along with KYB boots with bump-stops.. Thanks a ton everyone. I'll post a pic when I get them installed, though Its pretty much stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XPLORx4 Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Yeh I went back and reread some of the things I had read and realized the bad KYB stuff wasn't the struts. I actually already ordered th KYB GR-2s this morning along with KYB boots with bump-stops.. Thanks a ton everyone. I'll post a pic when I get them installed, though Its pretty much stock. Good choice. The GR2's provide vastly improved front end handling. FYI, no R50 Pathfinder after '96 used adjustable front struts, because, I suspect, that there wasn't really a big advantage to having the two modes of adjustability. So, IMO, you're not really giving up a whole lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OfftourRoadie96 Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 I was in your EXACT same situation..... I was quoted ALOT for replacing one electronic adjustable strut. With the money they were gonna charge me, I put towards an AC springs and new struts and shocks....luckily for me this was not my daily driver, and I put very low milage on this vehicle since I tour for a living (so I'm not home much)....slowly but surely I'm getting my truck to how I want it to be! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FUELER Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 what the heck?? electronic adjust ?? what does it adjust to?? is it manual or automatic adjust? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OfftourRoadie96 Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 what the heck?? electronic adjust ?? what does it adjust to?? is it manual or automatic adjust? From inside the truck there is switch (usually there were 4) rear defog, suspension adj., seat heaters, etc.) The switch had two positions, Sport & Comfort! That's it! You could adjust your ride depending on your situation. I bought my PF new in 1996! I prefer the way it is now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkorahil Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 Well I do want to go with new parts personally if at all possible, but there is a shop locally here that shows a used set in stock so that maybe PERFECT. I know its more expensive but I would feel better about it since I don't plan on changing vehicles any time soon. I guess my big question is can I purchase a set of say Monroe Sensa-Trac Front Struts assemblies and fit them without modification on the 96 SE. I know the Electronic adjust equipment would need to be removed, but If the strut mount is all the same I would be in Heaven. I was quoted $1k with new parts and install and alignment at a local shop, but I have found just the OEM parts for $260 and should be able to install them with my friend and then have the shop do the $50 alignment afterwards. If I can get a set of KYB's or Monroes I can get it all done for $200 total and that would leave me enough to pay off my Pathy and have some living funds left over. Thanks again in advance for opinions and info. I can do new OEM at $117.62 each if you are interested... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roswellien Posted September 3, 2009 Author Share Posted September 3, 2009 I can do new OEM at $117.62 each if you are interested... Actually I had found them for for $115 each plus $20 shipping, but the GR-2s were only $85. They are out for delivery right now. Im hoping in a few weeks my new job will kick off and the pathy will quickly become my second vehicle and I can do a ton of fun stuff to it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roswellien Posted September 9, 2009 Author Share Posted September 9, 2009 Thank you everyone. Got my KYB's in yesterday and have an Alignment, Balance, and Rotation scheduled tomorrow. So far the difference is absolutely amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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