2002 Nissan Pathfinder Chilkoot. Occasional rattling noise that seems to come from the right side of the vehicle possible front end area.Noise is mostly present when going over bumps on roads. I have replaced the stabilizer links on both sides and have had the factory recall done regarding the stabilizer strut tower mounting. Nissan said the strut tower was ok and sprayed a rust protectant on. I have checked the wheel bearings and front end parts and everything appears to be OK. Brake pads and rotor were replaced less than a year ago. Both rotors on the inside have only half of brake wear showing and the outside has full contact wear. The vehicle does not pull to the right or left when braking nor is there any shaking of the steering wheel. The front struts are not leaking. The vehicle has 170,000 KM. The rear shocks or front struts are original.

SOURCE: 93 Camry strut replacement.

If you plan on keeping the car, it's always a good idea to replace the seats/bearings when you do the struts - having to replace them afer is a pain. If you mean should you replace the strut lower bushings, yes, definitely.

Hope this helps :)

SOURCE: Struts in a dodge caravan

You can purchase the strut tower parts in a kit from Chrysler. Two new heavy duty steel caps that slip on. it uses a special epoxy, and steel rivets. Kit in Canada costs around 75.00. I have fixed several of these, and they seem to hold up better than new. George

Greg Bernett

• 2993 Answers
• Posted on May 13, 2009

SOURCE: replacing front struts

Okay....here is the steps first....and then the directions on how to use the tools:

1. Raise and properly support the vehicle.
2. Remove the front wheel.
3. Detach the shock absorber lower mount by removing the two bolts.
4. Remove the retainer nut, retainer, cushion and shock absorber.
5. Detach the cushion retainer from the shock absorber.
6. Compress the coil spring with a commercially available spring compressor.
7. Detach the stabilizer bar.
8. Support the upper suspension arm and steering knuckle securely.
9. Remove the cotter pin.
10. Loosen and remove the nut.
11. Using a ball joint removal tool, detach the lower ball joint from the lower control arm.
12. Loosen the suspension arm set bolt.
13. Remove the suspension arm set bolt nut.
14. Remove the nut from the strut bar front set bolt.
15. Pull out both set bolts.
16. Remove the lower suspension arm and coil spring. To install:
    
17. Installation is the reverse of removal. Note the following torque specifications:
    1. Strut bar front set bolt: 221 ft. lbs. (300 Nm)
    2. Lower suspension arm set bolt: 148 ft. lbs. (200 Nm)
    3. Lower ball joint nut: 80 ft. lbs. (110 Nm)
    4. Lug nuts: 83 ft. lbs. (110 Nm).

SOURCE: front-end clunk

bottom ball joints worn

Marvin

• 85242 Answers
• Posted on Jun 01, 2009

SOURCE: rear struts and brackets

2002? heck yes it is worth fixing. here in calif that is a very new car.