DittonDabbler
Member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2009
- Messages
- 6
Hi
I was a member of the forum before when we had a Terrano and have just re-joined now we have a Pathfinder. Generally pleased with it but had a couple of issues which I thought might be of interest to others.
Firstly, when we first bought it - secondhand from a Nissan dealer - we were not very happy with the steering as it was very jittery over minor bumps and not very relaxing to drive. We took it back twice and the tracking and all steering linkages etc were checked and we were told everything was fine. Whilst it was in the workshop, however, we were loaned another, albeit newer, Pathfinder which did not exhibit the same problem. Some months later we took the car back for a service and MoT and needed two new front tyres. It had Goodyear Wranglers on the front and Toyos on the back. I asked them to fit Continental Cross Contacts, which is what the loan car had, and the problem was solved and the driving experience transformed! Nissan never suggested that different tyres might make such a difference.
The other issue was the rear door handle, which just broke off in my hand one day. I rang Nissan and the parts guy implied that he regularly sold these for Pathfinders - which suggests it is a weakness. He also told me that they are only supplied in primer and that they did not supply an aerosol for the slate grey metallic colour that I needed. So I bought the part - for around £60 - and then contacted a couple of scratch/dent repair companies and DRH Autobody Cosmetics Ltd came to the house and did a great job of spraying the handle to match for £25 + VAT, which I did not think was bad as it took him about an hour. I would thoroughly recommend them if you need such services in the Surrey or Sussex area. Contact Dan on 07590818367 or www.auto-body-cosmetics.co.uk/
I fitted the handle myself, which was quite straightforward, provided you are careful no to drop the nuts or flexible cable into the door, but what a ridiculously fragile and expensive item!
Hope my experiences may be of use to others.
I was a member of the forum before when we had a Terrano and have just re-joined now we have a Pathfinder. Generally pleased with it but had a couple of issues which I thought might be of interest to others.
Firstly, when we first bought it - secondhand from a Nissan dealer - we were not very happy with the steering as it was very jittery over minor bumps and not very relaxing to drive. We took it back twice and the tracking and all steering linkages etc were checked and we were told everything was fine. Whilst it was in the workshop, however, we were loaned another, albeit newer, Pathfinder which did not exhibit the same problem. Some months later we took the car back for a service and MoT and needed two new front tyres. It had Goodyear Wranglers on the front and Toyos on the back. I asked them to fit Continental Cross Contacts, which is what the loan car had, and the problem was solved and the driving experience transformed! Nissan never suggested that different tyres might make such a difference.
The other issue was the rear door handle, which just broke off in my hand one day. I rang Nissan and the parts guy implied that he regularly sold these for Pathfinders - which suggests it is a weakness. He also told me that they are only supplied in primer and that they did not supply an aerosol for the slate grey metallic colour that I needed. So I bought the part - for around £60 - and then contacted a couple of scratch/dent repair companies and DRH Autobody Cosmetics Ltd came to the house and did a great job of spraying the handle to match for £25 + VAT, which I did not think was bad as it took him about an hour. I would thoroughly recommend them if you need such services in the Surrey or Sussex area. Contact Dan on 07590818367 or www.auto-body-cosmetics.co.uk/
I fitted the handle myself, which was quite straightforward, provided you are careful no to drop the nuts or flexible cable into the door, but what a ridiculously fragile and expensive item!
Hope my experiences may be of use to others.
