1997 Nissan pathfinder 4x4 rear end wobble

[AR97Pathfinder]

Hello everyone! What can cause a slight rear end wobble sensation on the highway despite replacing all of the suspension components? I put polyurethane problem solving bushings on all 4 links, including the panhard bar, poly sway bar bushings, new sway bar links, KYB gas adjust shocks, and Lesjofors rear springs. I can't say it sways like it did beofore, but I was expecting it to be more stable than it is right now. I do have a 1 inch spacer lift front and rear. Any ideas? 

[R50JR]

5 hours ago, AR97Pathfinder said:

Hello everyone! What can cause a slight rear end wobble sensation on the highway despite replacing all of the suspension components? I put polyurethane problem solving bushings on all 4 links, including the panhard bar, poly sway bar bushings, new sway bar links, KYB gas adjust shocks, and Lesjofors rear springs. I can't say it sways like it did beofore, but I was expecting it to be more stable than it is right now. I do have a 1 inch spacer lift front and rear. Any ideas? 

 

Maybe what you are feeling is from the poly bushings being firmer and thus less damping than standard rubber bushings? Your issue could be tires, front suspension, frame rot (rust), steering components, alignment....

[Slartibartfast]

That is weird. Have you tried rotating the tires? Bearings and brakes OK? I'd check the driveshaft U joints while I was at it.

 

I'm also remembering a thread I saw ages ago--think it was JamesRich? Can't find it now. Rear ratchet locker, slightly different tire sizes, rear end wobble at highway speed as his ratchet locker coped with the mismatched wheel speeds. Don't imagine you've got one of those. The LSD can bind up and chatter if it's got the wrong oil in it, though.

 

Does it change with steering angle, load/coast, or just speed?

[AR97Pathfinder]

Front end is new too, no poly bushings up there though. Everything is good alignment wise, I have camber bolts as well, and it definitely feels like it is coming fromt the rear. I actually have no rust or rotten areas under the truck despite living in new york, I've always checked and cleaned under there yearly in addition to rust proofing. 

 

I have an open diff, no ratchet locker either. It's nothing drastic as a wobble or "death sway," but the rear can jerk to a side if I hit a bump and still has less stability than I thought it would have after converting to poly and upgrading all suspension components. Brakes are fine and u joints I replaced a few years ago with greasable ones. I'll try rotating the tires as I need to do so anyways and it is approaching the end of it's life, but still has decent tread on it. I know I need to balance the driveshaft as I get a vibration at a higher speed from the rear. 

 

This seems to happen more with speed on the highway rather than steering angle.

[Nick.Holland78]

Did you tighten the new bushings at ride height? Could be their binding if they were drooped when tightened...

Rear axle bearings might be worth a look. Just thinking of mechanical interfaces that could 'jerk'

[AR97Pathfinder]

Yeah, I tightened at ride height. Never changed the rear axle bearings, I'll have to take a look. 

[Slartibartfast]

On 10/7/2024 at 6:05 AM, AR97Pathfinder said:

the rear can jerk to a side if I hit a bump

 

How's the angle on the panhard rod? It doesn't need to be dead perfect parallel to the ground, but the more you lift the truck, the steeper the angle on the panhard rod, and the more the axle goes side to side as it goes up and down. I would not expect a 1" lift on its own to have screwed this up, though.

 

Might help to have someone push the back of the truck side to side while you watch the suspension. See if anything is moving that shouldn't be.

[AR97Pathfinder]

I'll get a picture of it and post it, but it shouldn't be much different with a 1 inch spacer lift. I'm not sure what the problem may be, the rear just feels slightly loose, but the entire suspension is brand new and everythign is installed correctly. I did have some rock the truck side the side and no suspenision component moves or shows signs of play. Any side to side rocking is visible at the tires.