97 Pathfinder suspension question?

svneo · Jun 2nd, 2003, 01:18 PM

I have a 4wd se and was wondering if there is anyway to get a stiffer ride. I am on dirt roads a lot and have bottomed out my struts in the front many times. I like the ride in my new xterra much better and was wondering if there is any easy way to help the front of my pathfinder. And I have already replaced the struts a couple of times.

jadcock · Jun 2nd, 2003, 01:57 PM

You'll probably need some stiffer springs in the front. I'm not sure if the Pathfinder of that vintage uses torsion bars or coil springs mounted on the struts, but either way, you can get stiffer parts to replace what you have.

svneo · Jun 2nd, 2003, 02:57 PM

It has coil springs, where would I buy stiffer ones, what brand?

jadcock · Jun 2nd, 2003, 03:44 PM

I'd look to some of the people who offer lift kits for the Nissans. They're pretty hard to find anyway, even for the Hardbodies, so you may have more trouble getting stiffer springs than I thought. The coil springs are pretty rare on the Nissan truck models (I think most others have torsion bars), so the aftermarket may not have come out with any support for that type of suspension yet. I'd call around and see what you can come up with.

Also, what kind of struts are you putting on it? Some off-road types will do you good here, too. But I doubt Rancho makes a strut for a Pathfinder. Again, just not common enough for them to invest in that probably. My Hardbody is pretty bouncey off road. It doesn't really bottom out, but the front will bounce up and down pretty bad sometimes. I have new Monroes on it. That was my mistake. Next time, Ranchos for me.

svneo · Jun 3rd, 2003, 01:13 PM

I have replaced the struts with nissan struts. I have not ever replaced the springs though. What is going to give a stiffer ride? Different struts or different springs. Can I add stiffer springs to the factory struts or would I have to replace both?

jadcock · Jun 3rd, 2003, 02:55 PM

There's an old saying, "spring it for handling, shock it for ride". A higher spring rate would be the "correct" solution I think. The springs are supporting the weight of the vehicle, not the shocks (or struts in this case). The shocks merely attempt to slow the rate of movement of the suspension. I think if you put some real stiff shocks on the vehicle, it might mask the problem, but in this situation, I think the problem is the spring rate is too low, too soft, and the ultimate solution is stiffer springs.

A good example is a local road here -- the interface between a small bridge and the rode on the other side is sharp. The bridge is level across and the road on the other side is angled up pretty steep, and there's no smooth transition. My Nissan truck, with stock springs and new Monroe shocks, will (if I'm going fast enough) bottom out on the bump (hitting the suspension bump stops), even though it doesn't "bounce" afterward (like worn out shocks might). The shocks soak up the suspension movement, but the springs are too soft to absorb the impact, and the control arm comes up and hits the bump stop on the frame. On the other hand, my Cadillac Seville has adequate springs (and it handles good), but the shocks are original (at 120k miles). In general, it's okay, but on severe road undulations, it'll bounce up and down some. Anyway, it handles this particular bump just fine. The springs are strong enough to absorb the impact without bottoming the suspension out. However, the front of the car will oscillate once or twice after the bump, because the struts are a little on the loose side.

Sorry for getting long-winded there, but I think it's important to discuss the differences between the springs and the shocks. The jobs of the springs and shocks/struts are very different, even though the result seems very integrated seamless. That difference is sometimes hard to explain (even to myself!).

svneo · Jun 3rd, 2003, 03:34 PM

Thanks jadcock. That makes a lot of sense. I just need to find some springs now. I e-mailed a few places and I am waiting to hear back.

sandi · Jun 3rd, 2003, 07:41 PM

Unfortunately you may have to be more patient than expected to find any aftermarket suspension components for a unibody Pathfinder. Perhaps you could try http://www.dominionspring.com/products.asp
for a custom set of coil springs, you may have to provide some details on your existing set. Best of luck.

I had to replace my struts at 60K (km), no aftermarket for 99.5 available. Please note, some mentioned they will fit 96-2001; however, after researching the struts for 99.5-2001 are different in design to anything prior. So much for aftermarket. There is no adjustment on the unibody Pathfinder for camber/castor alignment, built into the struts and springs.