Posted: Jan 26 2008 at 5:33am | IP Logged

I've had a similar problem with an 06 US built 4x4 Pathfinder with about 19K kilometers that has been in for two alignments, first one before it had a 100 kms, the second about a week later which helped some, but it has always required good attention when driving and needs constant correction to keep it from wandering out of the lane at highway speed. I often think if a cop gets behind me that he'll pull me over to check if I'm drunk. 

The truck hasn't been on highways lately but even at city freeway 80 km/hr speeds it's starting to feel worse. Is there any definitive fix for this problem or any TSB numbers I can refer the service manager to. By constantly having to steer the vehicle I wonder how that is affecting tire wear, the power steering pump or even the front final drive U-joint.

Posted: Jan 26 2008 at 12:24pm | IP Logged

..

Greypath;

... I don't know if you read my other post on this thread but... I'll add... Not all frontend techs are at the same level of ability. I have worked beside and seen a lot of them. My fav frontend man retired.   

... Ask your friends in your area about an indpendant shop with a good front end tech.

Posted: Jan 26 2008 at 5:34pm | IP Logged

Thanks Don, from looking through the Nissanhelp TSB's;

http://x.nissanhelp.com/forums/Knowledgebase/links/237 

there is some info about lower arm cam bolt installation to help the front end guys with their work, as well as something about steering columns. I'll bug the service manager this coming week and see if I can get this truck feeling more like a vehicle than a kids cart going down a hill.

Also may I place a link in the Frontier links section of the NF forum to this Pathfinder forum;

http://www.thenissanpath.com/

Some of the information between the two trucks is similar or the same, and not everyone who drives a PF is a soccer mom.

Excellent forum you have here and some good information for all.

Keep the shiney side up.

.

Posted: Jan 26 2008 at 6:32pm | IP Logged

Greypath: I don't think the TSB referenced above about the cam bolts will do you much good. I believe it's main intent is to give a tech more latitude in which to bring a truck's front end into spec which doesn't fall into the factory's "acceptable range". The problem seems to be, from my experience (see my post above from 6/07) is that the kind of wandering your and my truck exhibit falls into that acceptable range.

I have read many posts dealing with this issue on several Frontier forums and most everyone describes it pretty much the same. The truck wanders just enough to be mildly annoying, but not enough to be alarming. Mine is actually more noticable around town than on the freeway. I had my alignment checked by the local dealer and it was "within spec". I saw the numbers, so I coouldn't argue with him and there are no wear issues with the tires. Like most owners, I just live with it, but I suspect it is correctable if one is willing to spend the $$.

Likely as not, you're going to have to find a front end shop that is willing and capable of playing with the settings until they get it right. This may involve going outside of spec, which is OK to do if the shop knows what they're doing. My knowledge of front end alignment is limited, but more than some as my last vehicle was a '98 Dodge Dakota that drove me to distraction trying to get an alignment that would keep the truck from grinding the front tires off the rims in 20k miles! I'd be willing to bet the culprit is not enough toe as that is usually what causes wander. Too much toe, on the other hand, will cause outside tire wear, but the truck will track like a trooper. This may be an oversimplification as camber can play a part too, but if you do decide to spend the $$ and find someone who knows what they're doing, it would be a great public service if you would let us all know the outcome and the cause.

Posted: Jan 26 2008 at 7:21pm | IP Logged

Thanks Paris, the story I've heard from the dealership guys always includes mention of 'factory specs' and somewhere I have a copy of those for the PF given to me after the last alignment. I'll see if the dealership is willing to either find why the truck won't steer properly with the mid spec settings or align the truck to spec limits to get it to a safe handling mode and if that doesn't do it I have a good tire shop handy that does excellent 4x4 alignments, at my cost. Either way I'll post something about the outcome.

Posted: Feb 04 2008 at 1:00pm | IP Logged

there is a tsb on it ill find it hold up

Posted: Feb 09 2008 at 8:47am | IP Logged

I had the same wandering problem on my 06.  Deflated the tires to 34 lbs. and it helped.  Down to 32 lbs. and that seemed to stop it.  After tires had 3-4,000 miles on them, it was possible to inflate the tires back to 35-36 lbs. and all wander was gone.  Never went to dealer for anything, but would have had this not worked.  Hope this helps others steering problems.