delaczar

I've read up on this and know it's a know prob on the pathys and the bushings being worn and causing the issue. I was curious if anyone has found the bushings from anywhere else? I found them from this one place but it's $38.00 a set and you need 8 sets. Just curious if anyone has found them cheaper. Thanks.

denisb

Why 8 if they're sets? I needed 1 set for each control arm and I beleive the 97 only has 4 control arms (same as my 90). this means 4 set at worst, but most likely if your getting sway, you'll only have to replace the lower ones (check to make sure). If this is correct, two sets will do.

88pathoffroad

Yeah, make sure how many come in a set and where they go before ordering 'em, heh. They may be spendy, but the bushings alone are cheaper than replacing the control arms alltogether with dealership parts.

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dpmjt

I own a 1996 Pathfinder and replaced the 8 bushings on the 4 rear control arms (2 lower, 2 upper). The bushings were ordered online from Courtesy Nissan along with 8 bolts & nuts for about $150.00. The upper bushings are different from the uppers even though they look the same. Getting the arms off was difficult; in fact, this was the most difficult repair I ever did. Even with an impact wrench, Parts Blaster and a torch, the bolts were frozen and had to be cut with a grinder or drilled-out. Once off, the old bushing have to be pressed out with a 20 ton press (I did it with a 12 ton press but just barely). You also need the right sleeve (arbor?) to push-out the old bushings and push-in the new ones. Applying a torch to the arm helped when pressing them out. I got the press at Harbor Freight. Job took about 15 hours start to finish. A schematic can be found at http://www.courtesyparts.com/betasit...4800_4804.html. Nissan dealer price $1200 to $1600. You can also just buy new arms with the bushings installed. Good Luck!!!

denisb

Wow, I had mine out and reinstalled in about an hour (lower only). Took the bolts out, then ripped the center of the bushings apart. This was fairly easy with an air hammer since they were in bad shape. Then took an air hammer with a good cutting chisel tip to bend/cut the outside of the bushing that had remained in the arm. Then pressed the bushing back in with a 12 ton press.

Maybe I just got lucky.

Denis

mmcpeck

I know this post is a couple of months old.....but what rear control arms are you talking about?? All Pathy's have a solid rear axle, how can there be control arms back there.

When my 97 started to sway in the rear, it was from the rear links having bad bushings and they come as an assembly. Apparently when some of these vehicles were being assembled, these links were torqued down while the vehicle was in the air, with no load on the links and bushings, so they will fall apart after a while.

It's a scary sway when they go out, the rear of mine was all over, especially if you had to make a sudden turn.

denisb

Ok, so I guess technically they might not be considered control arms, but links. They are the 4 arms that go from your rear end to the frame (2 each side 2 bottom ones being the most probable culprit). These are used as the Pathys have coils instead of leaf springs.

Denis

mmcpeck

Oh, I got ya now. I thought there was something I was missing when I saw "control arm", but I see what your saying.

Mine went a little easier than some of these stories.....had the extended, 100,000 mile warranty on it and got these slipped in right under 100K by the dealer, doesn't get any easier than that. Was just about to rip them apart myself, when I figured I'd see if they were covered.

Did them on my friends 96 though.....not too fun. Had to torch each one off.

88pathoffroad

Technically speaking, they are control arms. That's how they are described in the Nissan factory service manual.

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denisb

I knew they'd always been described as control arms on NPORA. I guess I should of pulled out the old text book instead of Googleing to confirm.