Yet another front rotor and bearing question

[Cobra99]

Hey guys, I purchased the parts to replace my rotors and pads (2001 LE 4x4) before realizing that the hub have to be removed to change the rotor, at which time I found many many suggestions to repack the bearings at that time as well. What I can't find is difinitive information on is how exactly to repack the bearings, and what needs to be replaced in that process. Repacking the bearings should be a pretty standard process, so I'd bet I can find a lot of detailed info about that even if not specific to the Pathfinder. However on this forum I've seen comments about needing to replace a seal, but I want to make sure I can get the correct part if I stop at a parts store on the way home from work.

 

The only seal I can see referenced on O'Reillys site is listed as a front axle outer "oil seal." The oil seal bit throws me off, but I suspect this is the right part. I'll post a link and hopefully someone can confirm:

 

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/BCA0/710398.oap?year=2001&make=Nissan&model=Pathfinder&vi=1432945&pt=C0055&ppt=C0337

 

And if that link doesn't work, maybe a direct link to the image will:

 

http://images.oreillyauto.com/parts/img/medium/bca/natlf_seals_ang.jpg

 

Lists for 15 bucks each, of course it also mentions on there they don't have them available in store.

 

Assuming I have the right part tracked down, now I just need to locate a couple locally and determine how I plan to tackle that lock nut.

 

Thanks for any help guys.

[Cobra99]

Looks like Autozone sells a seal by Timken for about half the price...unfortunately also a special order item.

 

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Timken-Wheel-Seal-Front/2001-Nissan-Datsun-Pathfinder-4WD/_/N-jetepZ6o268?counter=0&itemIdentifier=199180_3214_5770_

 

Again, assuming I've got the right item, it's looking more and more like this job isn't going to happen today. Or I just won't be touching the bearings at all.

[fleurys]

For what's it's worth, I had my share of frustration with seals from non-nissan... My last aventure cost me 2 hours of my time and some diff oil when I tried to use a timken (federal-mogul) diff seal instead of nissan one. I was in leak land.... so no more seal other than OEM for me in the future....

 

Hope you are more lucky then me...

 

S.

[Cobra99]

You make a good point. Generally I've been pretty lucky with non-OEM parts be it belts, sensors, etc., but I may have better luck at the dealership parts counter anyway if I want to be able to do this job tonight. I just want to make sure I have the right part name before I call and ask if they have it. I assume this would just be the "front bearing seal," or do I need to specify "front bearing outer seal?" Thanks again.

[Cobra99]

Well, my Nissan dealer doesn't stock the seals and won't order them without me coming in there and pre-paying, so that's about as inconvenient as possible.

 

I'm just going to go with Pep Boys or Autozone, but I still can't verify which part is correct. Pep Boys lists a "wheel seal" and an "axle seal" with two separate part #s for the same brand. I just want to make sure I'm getting the right piece. My instinct tells me I want the wheel seal, whereas the axle seal is the inner seal between the axle shaft itself and the spindle/knuckle.

 

Pep Boys has two of this guy in stock, so that's what I'm picking up this afternoon. Hope it's the right part.

 

http://www.pepboys.com/catalog/partfind/c2c?on=9286&pn=22230

Edited June 30, 2010 by Cobra99

[maikan]

I have a 99 3.3 path.

 

I went to NAPA for replacement bearings today.

Thay sell me the entire kit they had listed for my model.

 

There was both bearings, inner and outer.

 

And there was two oil seal that looks similar to those on your autozone

link. So I think these are the ones.

 

If you do the work yourself it would be a good idea to do a

write-up and take pics.

 

I have to change my bearing but I will only do the easy part, taking the rotot out

and having a shop replace the bearing I think.

 

Good luck

Edited July 1, 2010 by maikan

[Cobra99]

If you do the work yourself it would be a good idea to do a

write-up and take pics.

 

Well I had every intention of doing this, but it was just too messy of a process to try and bother with the camera in between steps. I got the whole job done tonight, taking probably close to three hours to do the first side and then no more than an hour on the other side. I swear I spent an hour just trying to figure out how the bearing grease packer I got from Harbor Freight was supposed to work. Once I got that mastered I was able to fly through the rest of the job.

 

As far as a write up, I referred to these two sets of directions periodically and between the two of them I didn't have any issues.

 

http://rkrenn.com/xterra/howto/bearing/bearing.htm

 

http://forums.nicoclub.com/how-to-replace-brake-rotors-and-pads-for-2001-qx4-pathfinder-t445492.html

 

Oh, except for one of the screws that secures the lock washer to the lock nut. I managed to strip out the head with my phillips screwdriver. Fortunately I was able to get to it with my Dremel and used a cutoff wheel to cut a slot and was able to remove and later reinstall it with a flathead screwdriver.