The back end on the drivers side is lower then the passenger side (97 SE 4x4 pathy). Its easy to see when looking at the wheel wells. Is this most likely due to a bad spring? Is there any way to make sure that it is the spring and not something else?
The back end on the drivers side is lower then the passenger side (97 SE 4x4 pathy). Its easy to see when looking at the wheel wells. Is this most likely due to a bad spring? Is there any way to make sure that it is the spring and not something else?
The spring is the only thing that controls ride height, so it's likely the spring. Park your truck on a level surface and get the measuring tape out. Measure between the axle and ground, closest to the wheels. Both sides should be exactly equal, assuming equal tire pressures. Measure between the axle and the body, closest to each spring. Each side SHOULD be the same. It sounds like you have a height difference here though, and check for a spring insulator that might be gone or damaged. These are made of rubber, and they'd be the first thing I'd suspect when diagnosing your vehicle. Of course, a coil spring COULD be bad, but for a vehicle so new, I'd wonder why it started sagging so early in its life.
It's not so new. 110k hard miles. Dirt roads, with washboards every day. I live in rural New Mexico. I measured the springs and they differ by about 1.5 inches. You can see it even without the measuring tape. Just washed it, probably washed about 100lbs of mud off of it. Big bricks by the pound coming out of the wheel wells. These pathfinders were not made to take that kind of abuse. I need something with a tougher suspension. Could I put airbags in the springs to help or do they just need to be replaced.
It's not so new. 110k hard miles. Dirt roads, with washboards every day. I live in rural New Mexico. I measured the springs and they differ by about 1.5 inches. You can see it even without the measuring tape. Just washed it, probably washed about 100lbs of mud off of it. Big bricks by the pound coming out of the wheel wells. These pathfinders were not made to take that kind of abuse. I need something with a tougher suspension. Could I put airbags in the springs to help or do they just need to be replaced.
I think someone here has put air bag "helper" springs in their 'Finder.
Yours is only a '97, it shouldn't need a spring this soon. Our Grand Cherokee has 105k miles on it, and it's a '96, with lots of 4-wheeling and 7000-lb trailer towing miles behind it. I'd say there's just something wrong with the particular spring on your vehicle. I'd replace the pair with a set of Cargo Coils if you can find them...or OE springs if you can't do any better. A new set of springs will likely last you a long time...hopefully longer than 7 more years.
Could I put airbags in the springs to help or do they just need to be replaced.
I put in airbags in my 97 for towing my boat, it was really tail dragging when loaded down. This would probably even out your ride, my rear end actually sits higher than stock even at minimum pressure in the airbags. Installation is pretty easy. Also you can get the model with the air compressor or fill them manually like I do.
Couple things to think about though before you try them. You do ride higher even at minimum pressure which can lead to a bouncy feel in the back. Also even when loaded down in the rear you probably won't ride much lower. This means that your load sensing valve won't be extended to increase rear brake pressure so you'll lose some braking in the rear. The air bags work great in my situation but if you just need to level it out I would recommend new springs instead.
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1997 Pathfinder XE
Air Lift Air Bags, Warn Hubs
Linear Mode
