When installing the rubber bushings, the final tightening must be done under unladen condition and with
the tires on level ground. Oil will shorten the life of the rubber bushings, so wipe off any spilled oil immedi-
ately.

●

Unladen condition means the fuel tank, engine coolant and lubricants are at the full specification. The
spare tire, jack, hand tools, and mats are in their designated positions.

●

After installing suspension components, check the wheel alignment.

●

Lock nuts are not reusable. Always use new lock nuts for installation. New lock nuts are pre-oiled, do not
apply any additional lubrication.

PREPARATION

FSU-3

FSU

2005 Pathfinder

PREPARATION

PFP:00002

Special Service Tools

EES0019L

The actual shapes of Kent-Moore tools may differ from those of special service tools illustrated here.

Commercial Service Tools

EES0019M

Tool number
(Kent-Moore No.)
Tool name

Description

ST29020001
(J-24319-01)
Gear arm puller

Removing ball joint for knuckle
a: 34 mm (1.34 in)
b: 6.5 mm (0.256 in)
c: 61.5 mm (2.421 in)

HT72520000
(J-25730-A)
Ball joint remover

Removing tie-rod outer end

NT694

NT146

Tool name

Description

Attachment wheel alignment

Measuring wheel alignment
a: Screw M24 x 1.5 pitch
b: 35 mm (1.38 in) dia.
c: 65 mm (2.56 in) dia.
d: 56 mm (2.20 in)
e: 12 mm (0.47 in)

Spring compressor

Removing and installing coil spring

Power tool

Loosening bolts and nuts

NT148

NT717

PBIC0190E

FSU-4

NOISE, VIBRATION, AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTING

2005 Pathfinder

NOISE, VIBRATION, AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTING

PFP:00003

NVH Troubleshooting Chart

EES0019N

Use the chart below to help you find the cause of the symptom. Repair or replace parts as necessary.

x: Applicable

Reference page

Possible Cause and
SUSPECTED PARTS

per

loose

ness

ock

ber

age

tin

rio

rts

spen

osen

ess

ect

eel

lignm

tabi

lize

bar

gue

DRIVE

SHAFT

DIFFERENTIAL

EEL

HUB

BEARING

TIRES

ROAD

BRAKE

EERI

Symptom

Noise

Shake

Vibration

Shimmy

Shudder

Poor quality ride or handling

FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY

FSU-5

FSU

2005 Pathfinder

FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY

PFP:54010

Components

EES0019O

Washer

Spacer

Shock absorber mounting insulator

Upper spring seat

Dust cover cap

Coil spring

Dust cover

Shock absorber

Upper link

10. Steering knuckle

11. Cotter pin

12. Drive shaft (4x4 models)

13. Lower link

14. Cam bolt

15. Jounce bumper

16. Cam washer

17. Stabilizer bar

18. Stabilizer bar bushing

19. Stabilizer bar mounting bracket

20. Connecting rod

WEIA0123E

FSU-6

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

2005 Pathfinder

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

PFP:00000

Front Suspension Parts

EES0019P

Check front suspension parts for excessive play, cracks, wear and
other damage.

●

Shake each front wheel to check for excessive play.
If looseness is noted, inspect wheel bearing end play, then
check ball joint end play. Refer to

FSU-14, "Inspection"

●

Make sure that the cotter pin is inserted in drive shaft end (4x4
only).

●

Retighten all nuts and bolts to the specified torque.

●

Check shock absorber for oil leakage and other damage.

●

Check suspension ball joint for grease leakage and ball joint
dust cover for cracks and other damage.

Front Wheel Alignment

EES0019Q

PRELIMINARY INSPECTION

WARNING:

Always adjust the alignment with the vehicle on a flat surface.
NOTE:
If alignment is out of specification, inspect and replace any damaged or worn rear suspension parts before
making any adjustments.

Check and adjust the wheel alignment with the vehicle under unladen conditions. “Unladen conditions”
means that the fuel, coolant, and lubricant are full; and that the spare tire, jack, hand tools and mats are in
their designated positions.

Check the tires for incorrect air pressure and excessive wear.

Check the wheels for run out and damage. Refer to

WT-4, "Inspection"

Check the wheel bearing axial end play. Refer to

FAX-5, "WHEEL BEARING INSPECTION"

Check the shock absorbers for leaks or damage.

Check each mounting point of the suspension components for any excessive looseness or damage.

Check each link, arm, and the rear suspension member for any damage.

Check the vehicle height. Refer to

FSU-19, "Wheelarch Height (Unladen*

CAMBER AND CASTER

Measure camber and caster of both the right and left wheels
with a suitable alignment gauge and adjust as necessary to
specification.

Suspension component torques

: Refer to

FSU-5,

"Components"

SMA525A

SFA392B

Camber

: Refer to

FSU-6, "Front Wheel Alignment"

SRA096A

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

FSU-7

FSU

2005 Pathfinder

If outside of the specified value, adjust camber and caster using
the adjusting bolts in the front lower link.

CAUTION:

After adjusting the camber then check the toe-in.

NOTE:
Camber changes about 3' (0.05

) minutes with each graduation

of one adjusting bolt. Refer to table below for examples of lower
link adjusting bolt effect on camber and caster.

Tighten the adjusting bolt nuts to specification. Refer to

FSU-5, "Components"

TOE-IN

WARNING:

●

Always perform the following procedure on a flat surface.

●

Make sure that no person is in front of the vehicle before pushing it.

Bounce the front of vehicle up and down to stabilize the vehicle height (posture).

Push the vehicle straight ahead about 5 m (16 ft).

Put a mark on base line of the tread (rear side) of both front tires
at the same height as hub center as shown. These marks are
measuring points.

Measure the distance “A” on the rear side of the front tires as
shown.

Push the vehicle slowly ahead to rotate the wheels 180

degrees (1/2 a turn).

CAUTION:

If the wheels have rotated more than 180

degrees (1/2

turn), start this procedure again from the beginning. Never
push the vehicle backward.

Measure the distance “B” on the front side of the front tires at the
same marks as shown. Total toe-in is calculated as “A” – “B”.

WEIA0115E

Rear adjusting
bolt

1 In

1 Out

1 In

1 Out

1 In

1 Out

Front adjusting
bolt

1 Out

1 In

1 Out

1 In

1 Out

Camber
Degree minute
(Decimal degree)

0 (0)

7' (0.12

)

- 7' (-0.12

)

3' (0.05

)

- 3' (-0.05

)

3' (0.05

)

- 3' (-0.05

)

Caster
Degree minute
(Decimal degree)

- 12' (0.20

)

12' (0.20

)

0 (0)

6' (0.10

)

- 6' (0.10

)

- 6' (0.10

)

6' (0.10

)

AFA050

Total toe-in

: Refer to

FSU-18, "Wheel Alignment

(Unladen*

SFA234AC

FSU-8

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

2005 Pathfinder

Adjust the toe-in by varying the length of the steering outer tie-
rods.

Loosen the outer tie-rod lock nuts.

Adjust the toe-in by screwing the outer tie-rods in or out.

Tighten the outer tie-rod lock nuts to specification.

FRONT WHEEL TURNING ANGLE

NOTE:
Check front wheel turning angle after the toe-in inspection.
1.

Place front wheels on turning radius gauges in straight ahead
position and rear wheels on stands so that vehicle can be level.
Check the maximum inner and outer wheel turning angles for LH
and RH road wheels.

Start engine and run at idle, turn steering wheel all the way right
and left, measure the turning angle.

●

Any turning angles are not adjustable. If any of steering
angles are out of the specification, check if the following parts
are worn or damaged.

–

Steering gear

–

Steering column

–

Front suspension components
If found that they are worn or damaged, replace them with new ones.

Standard length “L”

: Refer to

PS-15, "POWER