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95 Pathfinder - swaying and pulling

I have a 95 PF SE 4x4. This spring it started getting pretty unstable when driving on the highway with a crosswind. Now it pulls to the left or right when driving on city streets that are rutted. It's getting pretty hard to control.

I don't have any experience with steering or suspension components so I turn to this newsgroup for help. Any ideas what could be the problem? Shocks? Tierod ends? Ball joints?

I am equipped to fix the problem myself but in this case I'm not sure where to start. On first inspection everything looks okay. No obvious problems.

I'd appreciate some advice.

Thank you, DS

Reply to
DS
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Based on what you're describing the symptoms are, I would venture a guess on the tie-rod ends, centerlink and/or the idler arm

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Best bet would be to take it into the shop and have them diagnose the worn components and then if you have any needed specialty tools you can do the replacement(s) yourself. Just don't forget once you're all done to have an alignment done right away!

Wil

Reply to
Truck

I agree with "Truck". However, I would also look at your tires. Some of the symptoms you describe can also be caused by tires that are worn out.

Reply to
ppointer

I have a 96 PF SE 4x4. I had a bad sway problem at about 60 mph and really got going when the wind picked up. I repaced all the easy stuff (shock, struts, tires). My mechanic tried several alingments and none it made the least bit of difference. I look around at some new groups on the internet and found that other 96s were haveing the same problem. They all replaced the lower control arm bushings and it fix theirs. I did the same and now it drives great. I tow a boat and it holds the road great. Bigest cost was getting the old bushing pressed out.

Reply to
mike.hill

Nice post. Thanks.

Reply to
ppointer

Ran a web search for my '96 Pathfinder SE suspension problem .. turned this thread up..

on NICO I just left a new post: ########################## Now for a full year have had a suspension problem. Worsening ..

96 Pathfinder then- 90k now 104k of city driving..with NJ pot-holes

The car began[yr ago] to rock at 60-65+mph, when passing over a bump in the road, seam, or other irregualrity .. but instead of damping the rocking deepens, as though if one to take no action it would eventually cause the car to become uncontrollable.. Of course, we take actions. Brake or accelerate slightly..just do something.. It seems as though steady driving will keep the rocking steady or deepening. Now rocking can start at 50mph.

Had some front susp parts repalced in December[dealership].. no help

just had replaced rear shocks, little improvement ########################## is this the same problem? & yes a crosswind will set it going .. but no the car doesnt 'pull to L or R' It rocks like a boat. Your solution the: Idler Arm Install Can you explain why additional parts are the best solution, why not repalce worn parts [which]? None could tell me.

-- p1gnone

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p1gnone

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