Questions and Answers

Nissan Pathfinder Intermittent Thump Q. Hi Vince, I have been having this trouble for a few months had mechanic after mechanic look at it and no one could really pin point the trouble. Every time I would apply the brakes to gradually slow down as if I were approaching a traffic light I'd here this thumping sound and it felt as if the rear end was lifting up slightly off the chassis and plop back down.

But if I were to speed up and repeat same steps I wouldn't hear nor feel a thing. Normal driving is okay, I don't feel or hear a squeak! I intentionally would go into one or two, not so deep, pot holes to see if something gives but still hear nothing. The ride is solid! I then enlisted the help of my Nissan dealership and was told you need new struts. And we repeated this cycle again!. That's not it!

• 1994 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4x4
• 3.0 liter V-6.
• Automatic transmission
• 28,000 miles
• P/S, A/C, Cruise control
• RABS
• Dual select suspension for sport and comfort ride.

RECENT WORK DONE:

1. New tires, brakes, rotors all around.
2. New struts, wheel alignment and balancing.
3. No lift kits no after market stuff.

Steve

A. There are a lot of bushings underneath that truck. It could be anyone, or a combination of more than one causing the noise.

In the front, I would look at the Stabilizer Bar Support bushings (15) and the Stabilizer Link bushings (17). It is very common for the Stabilizer Bar Support Brackets to break. I have seen Radius Arm bushings (14) go bad from time to time. The Control Arm bushings (10) fail less often but remains a possibility.

Front Suspension

In the rear the same possibilities exist. The Trailing Arm bushings (8) and (10) go bad at times as well. The Lateral Stabilizer Rod bushing (5) and (6) fail less often, but can be a possibility.

What I do is start tapping around with a large rubbed mallet. Bushings, arms, springs and the exhaust system to try to isolate the noise.

Rear Suspension

It is also possible the rear differential has some play in it. If you can turn the driveshaft a ¼-turn or more before the wheels start to turn, there is excessive play in the rear differential.