How to service my Frontier myself?

[mrriceguyrj]

I got a breakdown of all the things my truck "needs" and I'm planning on doing as much as possible by myself (because my soon-to-be-born baby is claiming all my money before she's even born), and only pay to get done what I can't manage to do. However, I will need your help/input on how to do some of these things or what they are because I can follow instructions well, but don't know everything about automobiles. So, any input or diagrams would be helpful...

Here's the list of stuff that needs to be done:

1.) Rear diff reseal
2.) diff fluid (x3)
3.) front strut (x2) [leaking]
4.) L - upper control arm [leaking]
5.) 90k miles service (Assume this truck has never been serviced other than oil changes, what's does this truck need?)
6.) Waterpump+gasket+coolant+cap [leaking] (this has been replaced, but they said there's a leak... I haven't seen anything).
7a.) Rear main seal [leaking]
7b.) Shifter gasket (apparently linked to 7a)
8.) R-Sway bar link

I know when I do the suspension work I'll need to get an alignment afterward.

I need to get some of this done but really need help. Please pick a number, explain what it means (if possible) and how to repair/replace it.

[NissanTech]

That's a lot of work!!

I'll start with the last one.

I suggest to replaced the bushings as well.

8.) R-Sway bar link

a. Using a wrench hold the link and replaced the lower yellow nut (See diagram)
b. Do the same with the upper nut.
c. Pull out link
d. install the new one.

Just make sure the bushings, and the red washer are in the correct position.

[mrriceguyrj]

Originally Posted by NissanTech

That's a lot of work!!

I know... I figured I'd just put it all in one thread versus 8-9 separate ones.

Thanks for the info!

One down, several to go!

[tech22]

Is this a 4 or 6 cylinder. The water pump is a much bigger job on the 6 cylinder. refer to the service manual for the year and engine you have.

[mrriceguyrj]

Oh, it's only a 4 cyclinder.

[tech22]

To make the job much easier it's better to remove the radiator and that way you will have a clear access to the water pump.

[mrriceguyrj]

Originally Posted by tech22

To make the job much easier it's better to remove the radiator and that way you will have a clear access to the water pump.

Cool. The water pump is the least of my worries because like I said, it was just replaced, and I've had many people look at it and we can't find anything leaks or anything. But I'll be sure to keep an eye on it and make sure nothing of "worry" is visible.

[sergey85]

well once u have most of the stuff out of the way just inspect everything again t make sure u wont have to change anything later. good luck on the job.

[mrriceguyrj]

Originally Posted by NissanTech

I suggest to replaced the bushings as well.

8.) R-Sway bar link

a. Using a wrench hold the link and replaced the lower yellow nut (See diagram)
b. Do the same with the upper nut.
c. Pull out link
d. install the new one.

Just make sure the bushings, and the red washer are in the correct position.

I'm ready to do this project but no one in my small town can seem to get these parts (bushings, link and washers). Where's a good place to order these online?

ALSO, the picture provided above was really helpful to identify the problem. Can I please get some similar pics for the other projects? So I know where to look and what to do? I greatly appreciate it.

[tech22]

Just scroll down to service manual and go at it. As for parts try www.courtesyparts .com. There prices are fair and ship in about two days.Go luck and if you need help just write.

[mrriceguyrj]

Thanks for the info. I already have the service manual, I just don't exactly know what the mechanic is referring to. So, I don't always know where to look in this service manual. This is going to be pretty educational for myself, which I like.

Say for example, front strut needs replacing, it's leaking... are we referring to just the shock absorber? Or is there more parts that I need to replace?

Where would an upper control arm be leaking from? What needs to be replaced?

What is the rear main seal and shifter gasket, and where is it located? I've never owned a manual until I got this truck.

[tech22]

Strut is the shock.The upper control arm cannot leak. Oil on it is comming from somewhere else and running down on it.You didn't say which side but if it's on the right side it more than likely came from the oil filter when it was changed.The rear main seal is the seal at the rear of the crank shaft. You must remove the trans and clutch assy to see it.The shifter gasket goes on the plate that holds the shifter shaft on the trans.Should be 6 bolts on the top of the trans.If you deside to remove the trans MAKE SURE you mark to drive shaft(index)or you dill have a very bad viberation when you drive it.

[mrriceguyrj]

Originally Posted by tech22

Strut is the shock.The upper control arm cannot leak. Oil on it is comming from somewhere else and running down on it.You didn't say which side but if it's on the right side it more than likely came from the oil filter when it was changed.The rear main seal is the seal at the rear of the crank shaft. You must remove the trans and clutch assy to see it.The shifter gasket goes on the plate that holds the shifter shaft on the trans.Should be 6 bolts on the top of the trans.If you deside to remove the trans MAKE SURE you mark to drive shaft(index)or you dill have a very bad viberation when you drive it.

Cool! Thanks for the details. I replaced the shocks/struts on the truck on Wednesday (pretty easy stuff, took like an 1.5 hrs for all four). So far, the truck is riding MUCH smoother.

BTW, the upper control arm is on the left side. But I'll probably remove the leaking "upper control arm" from my list, because that didn't make sense to me either about a control arm leaking... I'll just verify the source of the leak/build up.

[mrriceguyrj]

Originally Posted by tech22

As for parts try www.courtesyparts .com. There prices are fair and ship in about two days.

I went there, and they don't have the part I'm looking for. They're out of stock or something. Any other good sites to buy the sway bar link, bushings and washers?

CourtesyParts :: [54618] ROD ASSY-CONNECTING,STABILIZER - Frontier (D22U) 1998-2004