Nissan Pathfinder (2008 year). Manual - part 411

UPPER BALL JOINT AND LOWER BALL JOINT

FSU-9

< ON-VEHICLE MAINTENANCE >

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UPPER BALL JOINT AND LOWER BALL JOINT

Inspection

INFOID:0000000001672940

• Check the ball joint for excessive play. Replace the upper or lower link assembly if any of the following

exists:

- Ball joint stud is worn.
- Ball joint is hard to swing.
- Ball joint play in axial directions or end play is excessive.

SWINGING FORCE 

NOTE:
Before checking the axial forces and end play, turn the lower ball joint at least 10 revolutions so that the ball
joint is properly broken in.

1.

Measure the ball joint swinging force using a suitable tool.
• Measure at the cotter pin hole for upper ball joint as shown.
• Measure at the groove for lower ball joint as shown.

2.

Verify the ball joint swinging force is within specification.

TURNING FORCE

NOTE:
Before checking the axial forces and end play, turn the lower ball joint at least 10 revolutions so that the ball
joint is properly broken in.

VERTICAL END PLAY

Check dust cover for damage. Replace it and the cover clamp if necessary.
NOTE:

WEIA0076E

Swinging force “A” (Measurement point at either cot-
ter pin hole or groove of ball stud)

Upper

: 8.1 - 79 N (0.83 - 8.1 kg-f, 1.82 - 17.8 lb-f) at 
hole

Lower

: 11.4 - 145.5 N (1.16 - 14.84 kg-f, 2.56 - 32.71 lb-
f) at groove

SFA858A

Turning torque “B”

Upper

: 0.5 - 4.9 N·m (0.05 - 0.49 kg-m, 5 - 43 in-lb)

Lower

: 0.5 - 6.4 N·m (0.05 - 0.65 kg-m, 5 - 56 in-lb)

SFA858A

FSU-10

< ON-VEHICLE MAINTENANCE >

UPPER BALL JOINT AND LOWER BALL JOINT

Before checking the axial forces and end play, turn the lower ball
joint at least 10 revolutions so that the ball joint is properly broken in.

Vertical end play “C”

: 0 mm (0 in)

SFA858A

KNUCKLE

FSU-11

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KNUCKLE

On-Vehicle Inspection and Service

INFOID:0000000001672941

Make sure the mounting conditions (looseness, backlash) of each component and component status (wear,
damage) are within specifications. Refer to 

FSU-24, "Ball Joint"

.

FSU-12

< ON-VEHICLE REPAIR >

FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY

ON-VEHICLE REPAIR

FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY

Component

INFOID:0000000001672923

1.

Dust cover

2.

Shock absorber

3.

Upper link

4.

Steering knuckle

5.

Cotter pin

6.

Washer

7.

Jounce bumper

8.

Bolt

9.

Lower link

10. Connecting rod

11. Stabilizer bar bushing

12. Stabilizer bar bracket

13. Stabilizer bar

14. Coil spring

15. Dust cover cap

16. Upper spring seat

17. Spacer

18. Shock absorber mounting insulator

19. Spacer

20. Washer

21. Cap

⇐

Front

AWEIA0008GB

COIL SPRING AND SHOCK ABSORBER

FSU-13

< REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >

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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

COIL SPRING AND SHOCK ABSORBER

Removal and Installation

INFOID:0000000001672928

REMOVAL

1.

Remove the wheel and tire using power tool.

2.

Support the lower link using a suitable jack.

3.

Remove connecting rod upper joints from stabilizer bar using power tool. Refer to 

FSU-12, "Component"

.

• Swing stabilizer bar down, repositioning it out of the way to access shock absorber lower mount.

4.

Remove the shock absorber lower bolt and nut using power tool.

5.

Remove the three shock absorber upper mounting nuts using
power tool.

6.

Remove the coil spring and shock absorber assembly.
• Turn steering knuckle out to gain enough clearance for

removal.

INSTALLATION

Installation is in the reverse order of removal.
• The step in the strut assembly lower seat faces outside of vehicle.
• Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. Refer to 

FSU-12, "Component"

.

• When installing wheel and tire, refer to 

WT-36, "Rotation"

.

WEIA0116E

FSU-14

< REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >

STABILIZER BAR

STABILIZER BAR

Removal and Installation

INFOID:0000000001672930

REMOVAL

1.

Remove the front valance center.

2.

Remove engine undercover using power tool.

3.

Remove connecting rod nuts using power tool.

4.

Loosen top bolts for stabilizer bar brackets, then remove lower
bolts from brackets and remove stabilizer bar.

5.

Remove bushings from stabilizer bar.

INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL

• Check stabilizer bar for twist and deformation. Replace if necessary.
• Check rubber bushing for cracks, wear and deterioration. Replace if necessary.

INSTALLATION

Installation is in the reverse order of removal.
• Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. Refer to 

FSU-12, "Component"

.

WEIA0118E

LOWER LINK

FSU-15

< REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >

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LOWER LINK

Removal and Installation

INFOID:0000000001672932

REMOVAL

1.

Remove the wheel and tire using power tool.

2.

Remove lower shock absorber bolt and nut using power tool.

3.

Remove stabilizer bar connecting rod lower nut using power tool, then separate connecting rod from lower
link. Refer to 

FSU-14, "Removal and Installation"

.

4.

For 4WD models, remove the drive shaft. Refer to 

FAX-6, "Removal and Installation"

.

5.

Remove pinch bolt from steering knuckle using power tool, then
separate lower link ball joint from steering knuckle.

6.

Remove lower link adjusting bolts and nuts, then the lower link.
NOTE:
Some vehicles may be equipped with straight (non-adjustable)
lower link bolts and washers. In order to adjust camber and
caster on these vehicles, first replace the lower link bolts and
washers with adjustable (cam) bolts and washers.

7.

Remove the jounce bumper from the lower link.

INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL

Lower Link

Check for deformation and cracks. Replace if necessary.

Lower Link Bushing

Check for distortion and damage. Replace if necessary.

INSTALLATION

Installation is in the reverse order of removal.
• Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. Refer to 

FSU-12, "Component"

.

• When installing wheel and tire, refer to 

WT-36, "Rotation"

.

• After installation, check that the front wheel alignment is within specification. Refer to 

FSU-5, "Front Wheel

Alignment"

.

LEIA0097E

WEIA0115E

FSU-16

< REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >

UPPER LINK

UPPER LINK

Removal and Installation

INFOID:0000000001672931

REMOVAL

1.

Remove the wheel and tire using power tool.

2.

Support the lower link using a suitable jack.

3.

For the LH side only, remove the bolt from the lower joint of the
lower joint shaft, then reposition the lower joint shaft out of the
way.

CAUTION:

• Do not damage the lower joint.

4.

Remove cotter pin and nut from upper link ball joint.

5.

Separate upper link ball joint stud from steering knuckle using
Tool.

6.

Remove upper link bolts and nuts.

INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL

Upper Link

Check for deformation and cracks. Replace if necessary.

Upper Link Ball Joint

Check for distortion and damage. Replace if necessary.

INSTALLATION

Installation is in the reverse order of removal.
• Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. Refer to 

FSU-12, "Component"

.

CAUTION:

Always replace drive shaft lock nut and cotter pin.

• When installing wheel and tire, refer to 

WT-36, "Rotation"

.

• After installation, check that the front wheel alignment is within specification. Refer to 

FSU-5, "Front Wheel

Alignment"

.

LGIA0029E

Tool number

: ST29020001 (J-24319-01)

WEIA0119E

WEIA0120E