question about baffle plates for 98 Pathy

Redwood · Oct 25th, 2006, 07:07 PM

My 98 Pathfinder has contracted a very bad case of front wheel squeal. This is the dry squeal that is not coming from the brakes but from the front inner grease seals. I just received the new baffle plates (part numbers 41150-1w400 and 41160-1w400) that lewisnc100 recommended to help cure the problem from an online nissan parts place.

Here's the Q... what is the new attached inner grease seal supposed to look like? I was expecting something with a raised rubber edge, etc. These plates have a metal lip at the inner opening and that is all. Before I tear into it I need to know if I've got all the parts I need.
Thanks all.

btw...if this doesn't cure "the squeal" I'm going to need some serious intervention, its enough to make you go nuts!

lewisnc100 · Oct 25th, 2006, 09:10 PM

That's all the baffle plate comes with, but you'll still need the inner seal on the back of the hub.

Redwood · Oct 25th, 2006, 10:52 PM

Lewis, thanks for the help.

Maybe I'm confusing a DUST seal with a GREASE seal?

So the new baffle plates have a dust seal attached, which looks like a metal ring, correct?

And I still need the inner grease seal on the hub.

So, I throw out the old dust seals and baffle plates right?

Sorry to make this so difficult!
Redwood

lewisnc100 · Oct 26th, 2006, 07:19 AM

You've got it, I confused the dust seal on the baffle plate with the inner seal as well at first. Did you verify your VIN range to make sure you need these, JNBARD57-WW230881 (vehicles built before 9/13/1997). Also watch out for those small bolts holding the baffle plates on, they're pretty weak and one of mine snapped with the slightest turn. Hit them with penetrating oil and give them a tap before removing them.

Redwood · Oct 26th, 2006, 10:42 AM

Lewis,

Thanks again my friend. My vin is slightly lower than the one you listed and it was built in 1997. I'll be careful with those baffle plate bolts when I get there.

I can't start today because the "wheel bearing lock nut socket" that I ordered has not arrived yet.

In case other need the info...I was able to order it from Autopart.com - Replacement auto parts and accessories for cars and trucks. for about 20 bucks total. Local shops were going to hit me for about 45 bucks. I used part number 4170. The plates came from Pinnacle Nissan in AZ, at Pinnacle Nissan online wholesale parts department presented by nissanparts.org, $20 each.Part numbers 41150-1W400 and 41160-1W400.

Thanks again,
Redwood

lewisnc100 · Oct 26th, 2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redwood

My vin is slightly lower than the one you listed and it was built in 1997.

Check your build date on your door jamb. My understanding is that the replacement baffle plates were used originally, then they switched to the baffle plates with a dust seal for only a short time, then switched back to the original design. If yours was built before that 9/13/1997 you probably already have that original design (same as the ones you ordered). I know one other poster ordered them and found out they already had the exact same design.

Redwood · Oct 30th, 2006, 08:56 PM

Well, my build date is 7/97, so I may already have the plates that I bought. I'll find out Saturday when I tear into it.
The noise is so bad now that the neighbors are circulating a petition to have my pathfinder flogged and pushed off a cliff. haha
Squuuuuuueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllll llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll lll.

Redwood · Nov 5th, 2006, 12:10 AM

Hey ya'll,
I was able to cure the squealing noise from the baffle plates / grease seals on my 98 Pathfinder today. I feel like a hero. Now my nieghbors aren't looking at me like my car is about to explode. My kids will even let me drop them off AT school instead of a few blocks away.
The plates I took off were the type with a separate dust seal plate. The new ones were all one piece, numbers listed above. The job went well. The special socket listed above was a real good tool. I was able to reuse one grease seal, tore one up. It's good to have them on hand just in case.
Have you guys ever noticed how hard it is to get a Pathfinder's front end off the ground? If you don't go real high, when you set it on jackstands, the rear end will pivot up, and the front tires are still touching the ground! It's like trying to pull a cat off of a brand new couch, the claws are looooong.
Lewis, thanks for the help once again.

Redwood Jack