Is this 96 Pathfinder worth saving?

[DaysofThundr46]

I picked up a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder LE from its original owner. It has 177k on it. Body is in good shape, just a little rust, no rot, Interior is very nice. New tires, alternator and many new parts. I picked it up for $1500 knowing it has some steering issues.

Turns out, the issues are a bit deeper. It requires an entire new steering rack. Its completely shot. You can move the front end tires left to right with your hands and see the bar just move freely. It also needs the front CV axles done. I was quoted $1900 to do JUST the steering rack. IMO this is a "I don't want to do the job" quote.

The other issue is, it is or was leaking oil. I have no idea where, but the steering rack is soaked in oil, as are many components around it, so right now, I have no idea where its coming from. Could be the oil cooler, oil pan, rear main seal, intake gaskets etc... so I'd need to clean it up, then maybe do a dye job to find where its coming from.

With that said, in your opinion, is it worth saving? Or do I just sell it and try and get my $1500 back? I don't have images of the issues (just saw them for myself) but I do have some quick photos of the car when I saw it in the parking garage but this forum limits me to 150kb to a post. Hope this link is OK: https://www.flickr.com/photos/10542402@N06/albums/72177720322755836

Edited December 24, 2024 by DaysofThundr46

[R50JR]

8 hours ago, DaysofThundr46 said:

I picked up a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder LE from its original owner. It has 177k on it. Body is in good shape, just a little rust, no rot, Interior is very nice. New tires, alternator and many new parts. I picked it up for $1500 knowing it has some steering issues.

Turns out, the issues are a bit deeper. It requires an entire new steering rack. Its completely shot. You can move the front end tires left to right with your hands and see the bar just move freely. It also needs the front CV axles done. I was quoted $1900 to do JUST the steering rack. IMO this is a "I don't want to do the job" quote.

The other issue is, it is or was leaking oil. I have no idea where, but the steering rack is soaked in oil, as are many components around it, so right now, I have no idea where its coming from. Could be the oil cooler, oil pan, rear main seal, intake gaskets etc... so I'd need to clean it up, then maybe do a dye job to find where its coming from.

With that said, in your opinion, is it worth saving? Or do I just sell it and try and get my $1500 back? I don't have images of the issues (just saw them for myself) but I do have some quick photos of the car when I saw it in the parking garage but this forum limits me to 150kb to a post. Hope this link is OK: https://www.flickr.com/photos/10542402@N06/albums/72177720322755836

 

This is a high price for a steering rack replacement. Are you able to do any of the work yourself?

 

Personally, I would try to get rid of it if I could not do the work myself. Fixing the oil leak may be just as expensive as the steering rack, so that is something to consider. If you are pressed for money and bought it as a beater, maybe you can get another quote and just do the steering rack?

[Slartibartfast]

Are you sure it's the rack that's bad, and not the bushings that hold it to the crossmember? I remember hearing about those going bad and letting the rack slop from side to side. The oil leak may have sped up that process. Could be an easy fix.

 

It can be tricky to tell where an oil leak is coming from. Sometimes you have to clean it up and keep an eye on it to see where it's coming from. The valve cover gaskets are probably bad if they're original. Look for oil residue around the valve covers. Rear main is a possibility (mine's been leaking for years), but it wouldn't be oiling down the rack. If it's coming from the front of the engine, that could be the cam or crank seals, which are behind the timing belt. Not a horrible job, but there are several "while you're in there" parts that'll need doing, and it's not something to half-ass, given it's an interference engine.

 

If you can do the work yourself, both could be cheap fixes. If you're paying for labor, especially if you're paying "go away I don't want to work on leaky junk from the '90s" rates, then, yeah, that's gonna be an issue.

 

Looks like a clean rig from what I can see in the pictures, apart from the pep boys fender vents.

[DaysofThundr46]

On 12/24/2024 at 1:15 PM, Slartibartfast said:

Are you sure it's the rack that's bad, and not the bushings that hold it to the crossmember? I remember hearing about those going bad and letting the rack slop from side to side. The oil leak may have sped up that process. Could be an easy fix.

 

It can be tricky to tell where an oil leak is coming from. Sometimes you have to clean it up and keep an eye on it to see where it's coming from. The valve cover gaskets are probably bad if they're original. Look for oil residue around the valve covers. Rear main is a possibility (mine's been leaking for years), but it wouldn't be oiling down the rack. If it's coming from the front of the engine, that could be the cam or crank seals, which are behind the timing belt. Not a horrible job, but there are several "while you're in there" parts that'll need doing, and it's not something to half-ass, given it's an interference engine.

 

If you can do the work yourself, both could be cheap fixes. If you're paying for labor, especially if you're paying "go away I don't want to work on leaky junk from the '90s" rates, then, yeah, that's gonna be an issue.

 

Looks like a clean rig from what I can see in the pictures, apart from the pep boys fender vents.

I suppose it COULD be the bearings. I did look at it as the guy moved the rack side to side without much effort. You can see the boots on the rack ripped and dislodged. The rack is a $300-600 part depending on the brand and where you buy it, and 4 hours labor, so I know the quote I got was a "go away" price. I was going to get rid of all of the old oil and clean it up, then see where its coming from. I know these have issues at the oil cooler, but also could be valve cover gaskets. These are jobs I am not experienced enough to do. 

 

The guy, for whatever reason, took it to Pep Boys. He is an older man and from what I can tell, got hoodwinked into doing work he didn't need to do. The body is pretty solid, no rot, not too much rust, clean interior, brand new tires and all electronics work. If I do try and resell it, it will only sell to someone mechanically inclined to do the work themselves. 

[DaysofThundr46]

On 12/24/2024 at 5:36 AM, R50JR said:

 

This is a high price for a steering rack replacement. Are you able to do any of the work yourself?

 

Personally, I would try to get rid of it if I could not do the work myself. Fixing the oil leak may be just as expensive as the steering rack, so that is something to consider. If you are pressed for money and bought it as a beater, maybe you can get another quote and just do the steering rack?

I would not be doing the rack replacement myself, but I also will not let a shop rip me off to do it. The oil leak is what mostly has me tripped up. I wanted to clean up all of the old oil, and then try and find where its coming from. It is going to be a 2nd vehicle to haul stuff with, but it needs to be safe and reliable too. I don't mind if it burns a little oil or theres a small drip, but it also can't be leaking so bad I got smoke coming from it (its not that I am aware of).

[Slartibartfast]

Do the VG33 R50s have oil coolers? I thought that was just a VQ thing.

[DaysofThundr46]

I had read there is a common leak where the oil filter attaches. Might have the wrong part or mixed it up with the 3.5L models.

[adamzan]

Being a 96, it'll be a VG33E, they don't have the oil cooler leak issue the 3.5L have. IIRC the sender for the oil light is bolted in right around that area, it isn't uncommon for those things to fail and leak on older vehicles of all makes.

 

As for the rack, if the boots are torn and it was letting road silt and grime in there, that can make the seals fail in short order. Is it leaking PS fluid as well or is it just loose? The mount bushings were a huge problem especially on the side where the oil filter is... You see where I'm going with this lol. I would call around to a few other garages, maybe ask some friends if they have a trustworthy guy.

Edited December 28, 2024 by adamzan

[DaysofThundr46]

2 hours ago, adamzan said:

Being a 96, it'll be a VG33E, they don't have the oil cooler leak issue the 3.5L have. IIRC the sender for the oil light is bolted in right around that area, it isn't uncommon for those things to fail and leak on older vehicles of all makes.

 

As for the rack, if the boots are torn and it was letting road silt and grime in there, that can make the seals fail in short order. Is it leaking PS fluid as well or is it just loose? The mount bushings were a huge problem especially on the side where the oil filter is... You see where I'm going with this lol. I would call around to a few other garages, maybe ask some friends if they have a trustworthy guy.

I am glad you and others mentioned this. I was able to pull some of the service records for this car, and it had a new rack put in in 2018. I highly doubt the issue is the rack. Also in 3/2020: Wheel studs, Stabilizer bars, Inner/Outer Tie Rods, Swaybar Link Kit was done as well. 

I'd be the farm at this point the issue is the bushings are bad. I am not finding any leaks underneath the car so far. 

[adamzan]

I suppose if they installed a crappy aftermarket or reman rack it could be bad, but you'd think any competent mechanic could tell the difference unless they're just trying to drum up business.

 

Interesting that they installed new inner tie rods in 2020, the ones that came with the new rack were already bad? New steering racks usually come with new inner tie rods as the boots are preinstalled. Sounds like someone could have been taking advantage of the old owner.

 

If you don't see any leaks right now, it could be it was never cleaned up from previous leaks.

Edited December 30, 2024 by adamzan

[DaysofThundr46]

4 hours ago, adamzan said:

I suppose if they installed a crappy aftermarket or reman rack it could be bad, but you'd think any competent mechanic could tell the difference unless they're just trying to drum up business.

 

Interesting that they installed new inner tie rods in 2020, the ones that came with the new rack were already bad? New steering racks usually come with new inner tie rods as the boots are preinstalled. Sounds like someone could have been taking advantage of the old owner.

 

If you don't see any leaks right now, it could be it was never cleaned up from previous leaks.

100% they were taking advantage of him. He is older and retired and on his own. FInally his son told him to stop taking it there. Itw as clear they didn't know how to fix the issue and just had him buy new parts. They even sold him a $800 set of tires he didn't need. 

 

I do think the place I went to gave me the "go away we don't want to do this work" price. Another place won't even work on it because its too old. I may just sell it and let someone else take on the project.

[Der_Vier]

You ever resurrect this thing?

[DaysofThundr46]

6 hours ago, Der_Vier said:

You ever resurrect this thing?

I did not, but I sold it to a guy and his son who were going to!