Just did a full service (all oils checked and replaced if need be, all filters out, injectors cleaned, belts checked, bushings checked, etc.) for my 03 Pathfinder and I resolved a whole bunch of issues, but there's this one niggly thing that won't go away.
About a week ago, I checked the rear differential oil and found it somewhat lacking. Took it in to a service station, they said the oil was really bad and it needs a full flush and refill, so I went for it. The car was running fine before that (i.e. I wasn't complaining from anything from the driveline). Right after they swapped oils, now I get a slight hesitation (you can feel the diff trying to engage) when I set off, and when I brake, you can feel the driveline flexing or compressing, like the diff isn't slowing down fast enough compared to the torque coming in from the driveline.
A few days later, I took her in again to a more reputable mechanic, they checked it, said everything was fine, but I told them to flush the diff oil anyway and make sure that the oil they use is factory spec. They've done that, and now the hesitation when I set off is nearly gone, but the brake flex/compression is actually worse. It's freaking me out that this'll somehow affect the differential later on, so I'm taking her in again next week so they can check it again, but I thought I'd ask you guys if you had any ideas - or is this normal?
Oh, and another thing - is it normal for the temp gauge to move 2 notches above the first mark in extreme heat in city traffic? I just had the cooling system flushed and added new coolant.
Just did a full service (all oils checked and replaced if need be, all filters out, injectors cleaned, belts checked, bushings checked, etc.) for my 03 Pathfinder and I resolved a whole bunch of issues, but there's this one niggly thing that won't go away.
About a week ago, I checked the rear differential oil and found it somewhat lacking. Took it in to a service station, they said the oil was really bad and it needs a full flush and refill, so I went for it. The car was running fine before that (i.e. I wasn't complaining from anything from the driveline). Right after they swapped oils, now I get a slight hesitation (you can feel the diff trying to engage) when I set off, and when I brake, you can feel the driveline flexing or compressing, like the diff isn't slowing down fast enough compared to the torque coming in from the driveline.
A few days later, I took her in again to a more reputable mechanic, they checked it, said everything was fine, but I told them to flush the diff oil anyway and make sure that the oil they use is factory spec. They've done that, and now the hesitation when I set off is nearly gone, but the brake flex/compression is actually worse. It's freaking me out that this'll somehow affect the differential later on, so I'm taking her in again next week so they can check it again, but I thought I'd ask you guys if you had any ideas - or is this normal?
Oh, and another thing - is it normal for the temp gauge to move 2 notches above the first mark in extreme heat in city traffic? I just had the cooling system flushed and added new coolant.
I've never heard of the temp gauge thing, but what do you mean by extreme heat? I've driven mine in traffic in 100 degree weather and never noticed that. Maybe the diff problem is causing extra strain on the motor? I'm no expert
My temp gauge is always in right in the middle of the H and L marks.. no matter what driving condition...
I did the Diff oil change too.. i put in Mobil-1 gear oil. its been fine.. never had problem (2001 PF)
I have an 02 pathy (black) that has had the problem you describe since day one (I bought it new). I live in a cold climate and the problem is most pronounced if the diff oil is cold but it's still pretty subtle and I haven't been able to have anyone else (mechanics) experience it. However, it happened once when the dealer drove it and he called it "backlash" and said it was very important to use Spec. diff. oil.
I have around 45k miles (73k km), and the weather is around 95F here. On my dash, the temp guage has 4 major marks - the first being C, then another one above that, then around 20 small ones to another big mark, then another mark being H. A few months ago in winter, it never passed the first mark after C. Now it's always hovering between that first mark after C and 2 small notches above that (only if I have the AC on and am stuck in city traffic).
As for the 'backlash' - dunno it makes sense that it's because of the oil, but I'm using Nissan spec oil now. Could it be that it'll go with time as the oil thins out? It's becoming very pronounced - I don't have to hard brake to feel it.
Well, went back to the mechanics today, and he said he'd heard/felt the backlash (he used the same term) and that they couldn't isolate where it was coming from. They've examined the prop shaft, the driveshafts, the differential, a couple of joints in the drive shaft (said they were responsible for flexing/compressing as torque traveled down to the diff). He said they couldn't check inside the diff without asking me to fork out a fortune, but that judging by the car's performance and its exterior condition, it looked fine. They're basically stumped. Do you guys recommend taking it somewhere else? Or should I just take her to Nissan and see what they say?
I'm not sure Nissan will say a heck of a lot. Everybody that I talked to at Nissan 4 years ago said it wasn't a warranty issue because there wasn't anything wrong with the vehicle. To date, they're right and frankly it's not much worse now than it was 97K miles ago. I'm careful about shifting ... making sure I'm completely stopped before changing gears but otherwise I just live with it. Sometimes the vehicle will roll forward 4-6 inches after it's in park and that can freak you out if you're at the back end leaning against it.
Real Important!! Do you have posy traction? If you do, then there is one, and only one, type of fluid (obtained from NISSAN) that goes in the rear end.
Been there, done that, and it drove me nuts until I stumbled on a NISSAN Master mechanic who knew exactly what the problem was. The previous dealer put regular rear oil in with out bothering to check what kind of rear it was.
Took it a good 4x4 expert mechanic and he said it needs an additive in the rear differential, even when I'm using factory-spec oil. I don't buy it, so I'm flushing the oil for a fourth time.
Airbear - did you mean an LSD? No, as far as I know, mine doesn't have LSD - unless I'm being really stupid.
Guys, I did some research on a variety of car forums, mostly Tacomas and other Toyotas and it seems the 'clunk' that I'm hearing when I start off or when I brake could be bad universal joints. It could also be that the slip joints need greasing.
The mechanics I took it to assure me there's nothing wrong with the UV joints and they say they've greased everything back there. The only 'development' is that if I come to a stop in neutral, I get no noise, no bucking, no clunking. Nice and smooth. Does that give anyone any more information? In drive, the sound is very pronounced - so pronounced actually that if I hit the brakes, I get the clunking and the 'bucking' sensation, and if I let off the brakes slowly, it continues to buck and clunk until it 'releases' all of its pent up torque (at least that's what it feels like).
I REALLY don't want to wait until things get messy. I've only had this car for 2 months, and I love her to bits, but I'm reluctant to take her out off roading until I'm 100% certain I won't make things worse by roughing her up a bit.
Ok update. This is one of those situations when you just wish a bus would wipe you off the planet.
I started suspecting that the LSD/non-LSD issue was the root of all of this. I thought I'd wait until I put the car up on jacks and run the wheel test, but I thought what the hell, take a look at the diff anyway. Lo and behold, a bright orange sticker smiled back at me telling me to use LSD oil only. I checked with my mechanic and he said he used the VIN number to source the Nissan oil for the diff.
So I presume I should just stick the additive in at this point.
Just thought this might come up later on - alot of people seem to have this clunking problem.
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