98 Pathfinder Final Drive Repair Help

Mehst · Jan 23rd, 2008, 08:48 PM

Hi all. I've got a 98 Pathfinder SE 4wd that apparently needs a new final drive. It makes a loud metallic clunk everytime it comes to a stop. And whines going about 40-60mph.

Dealer says its worn rear differential gears and I need a new final drive. But he wants $3100 to fix this. I'm trying to see if there's a cheaper way to fix this. I can't seem to find any remanufactured final drives (and I don't really want a used/no warranty part). The only way to get the part seems to be through the dealer.

Is a final drive something I can have the dealer order than get a local mechanic to install?

Or is this a too complicated and should be done by the dealer operation?

thanks for any advice!

Mike

NPath · Jan 24th, 2008, 01:02 AM

Are you sure the gears are only available through the dealer?

I'd call an off road/4x4 shop that perform modifications. They're probably a little cheaper but pretty sure they're more familiar with re and re differential gears. Installing gears is pretty tricky, too tight or too loose will screw them up.

Mehst · Jan 24th, 2008, 01:24 AM

I got the impression from the dealer that I should replace the entire rear differential, not just the gears. I found one place that sells a LSD for that year of pathfinders, but I'm not sure if this is the entire "final drive" (i.e. rear differential) that I would need (see link below)?

4x4 Parts.com - Your #1 Resource for Nissan Aftermarket Parts! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I do like the idea of going to a 4x4 shop but I live in Washington DC so I'll have to see if there's one around.

NPath · Jan 24th, 2008, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mehst

I got the impression from the dealer that I should replace the entire rear differential, not just the gears. I found one place that sells a LSD for that year of pathfinders, but I'm not sure if this is the entire "final drive" (i.e. rear differential) that I would need (see link below)?

4x4 Parts.com - Your #1 Resource for Nissan Aftermarket Parts! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I do like the idea of going to a 4x4 shop but I live in Washington DC so I'll have to see if there's one around.

I seriously don't think you need to change the entire diff... I find that unbelievable.

I've seen Jeeps with blown axle shafts trying some rock crawling out in the mountains. They came back to camp after replacing the shafts and back out in the bush the next day.

Keep shopping around, the only reason I can think of requiring to change the diff is if it's bent or blown.

**88pathoffroad** · Jan 25th, 2008, 09:24 PM

"Final drive" is another term for "third member". He needs a new drop-out diff. Junkyards should be able to locate you one for MUCH less than $3000...more like $500 or so. I haven't looked...car-part.com is your friend there.

R&R'ing that diff isn't all that bad if you're handy with wrenches...and you don't have to reset any gears or anything - just drop the old diff out, plop the new one in and bolt it back together. Just make sure you buy a diff with gearing that matches the old one. Score yourself a free downloadable factory service manual from PhatG20.net and you'll have all the tech support you need for the project.