[fronty]

I have been noticing a clunk noise when I go over speed bumps. I looked at the suspension and noticed a nut was missing from one of the components. Can someone tell me what this is? The treads on the tires are wearing out on the insides (passenger and drivers side). I'm guessing I need an alignment (camber or toe in adjustment).

This post has been edited by fronty: 25 August 2008 - 05:23 PM

[gmctech2000]

hmm r u talking about the sway bar link?? then u need a new link kit...not very expensive and easy to do...that what it looks like..at least thats what i see in the pic...

[old greek guy]

fronty,

Year, make, and model would help. From the pictures it looks like a 'Stabilizer link" could need replacement.

[fronty]

Sorry about that.

2002 King Cab Nissan Frontier 2.4L 4cyl


Do you guys think that the nut just came loose, or is there a more serious problem that caused the nut to come loose? This may be a dumb question, but can I just buy the nut? The bushings are still on the truck.

[fronty]

Should I replace both sides? Also, do I have to get this part from Nissan or can I go to any parts house?

[gmctech2000]

You have to buy a new stabilizer link kit, they are available from kost parts places, but buy a good one, dont cheap out..cause it will only cost more in the long run, as well, have the front end checked for any other issues . How often are you rotating your tires? lack of tire rotations along with worn or loose front end components can quicly lessen the life of youre tires..keep that in mind ....The link kits end nuts do wear out over time, also everyday life can wear them down, and some pressure can break the links apart.

[smj999smj]

If you look more carefully, you may find the nut still there, sunk into the rubber bushing. A common problem on these trucks was that the top bushing cup would wear on the sharp points of the nut and break, eventually pushing over the nut and falling off. This seemed to only occur on the 2 wheel drive models, which looks like what you have.

In the day, there were no aftermarket stabilzer link kits available for the Nissan Frontiers and Hardbodies, but that may have changed. You can always checks with your local parts store or search online. From Nissan, each part of the link came seperate and is expensive to replace the entire link kit (compared to the cost of a typical link kit for other vehicles). In my notes, I have the following part numbers, which may be superceded by now:

Nissan D21-D22 P/U, 2WD, Sway Bar Link parts:

Rod-54618-01G00 (1 per side)
Bushing Cups-54622-0B000 (4 per side)
Rubber Bushings-54619-8B400 (4 per side)
Nuts- 08912-7401A (2 per side)

[fronty]

If you look more carefully, you may find the nut still there, sunk into the rubber bushing. A common problem on these trucks was that the top bushing cup would wear on the sharp points of the nut and break, eventually pushing over the nut and falling off. This seemed to only occur on the 2 wheel drive models, which looks like what you have.

In the day, there were no aftermarket stabilzer link kits available for the Nissan Frontiers and Hardbodies, but that may have changed. You can always checks with your local parts store or search online. From Nissan, each part of the link came seperate and is expensive to replace the entire link kit (compared to the cost of a typical link kit for other vehicles). In my notes, I have the following part numbers, which may be superceded by now:

Nissan D21-D22 P/U, 2WD, Sway Bar Link parts:

Rod-54618-01G00  (1 per side)
Bushing Cups-54622-0B000  (4 per side)
Rubber Bushings-54619-8B400  (4 per side)
Nuts- 08912-7401A  (2 per side)

Yeah, Pep Boys didn't carry it. I called my Nissan dealership and they want $25 for the rod and $6.50 for each bushing. Would it be wrong to just replace the top bushing cups and bushings? My dealership also doesn't have any manual transmission fluid. I tried two different dealerships. Can you recommend a good manual transmission fluid?

[ramntm]

SAE 75w 90 only, according to Alldata.

Yes, you can replace only the bushings, washers and the nut, providing the threads on the link are good.

[fronty]

If you look more carefully, you may find the nut still there, sunk into the rubber bushing. A common problem on these trucks was that the top bushing cup would wear on the sharp points of the nut and break, eventually pushing over the nut and falling off. This seemed to only occur on the 2 wheel drive models, which looks like what you have.

In the day, there were no aftermarket stabilzer link kits available for the Nissan Frontiers and Hardbodies, but that may have changed. You can always checks with your local parts store or search online. From Nissan, each part of the link came seperate and is expensive to replace the entire link kit (compared to the cost of a typical link kit for other vehicles). In my notes, I have the following part numbers, which may be superceded by now:

Nissan D21-D22 P/U, 2WD, Sway Bar Link parts:

Rod-54618-01G00  (1 per side)
Bushing Cups-54622-0B000  (4 per side)
Rubber Bushings-54619-8B400  (4 per side)
Nuts- 08912-7401A  (2 per side)

You were right. It was exactly as you described. Bushing washer was missing.

[smj999smj]

Yeah...used to be a fairly common occurance. If they used a nut with a circular bottom, I believe they would have not had the problems. IIRC, I was using exhaust manifold nuts (such as those used on 3.3L Pathfinders 96-00 ) when I encountered vehicles with this problem and they never had any problems afterwards, to my knowledge. Those particular nuts had a circular bottom to them and were also self-tightening. Looks like you could get away with just a bushing cup, if you needed to. I would recommend a new nut, and, if needed, top bushing.