DIY: Front Sway Bar, Bushings, and Links for QX4 and Pathfinder R50

Steps:

• Remove eight 10mm bolts holding plastic splash guard. There may be less because the bolts tend to fall out, I only have six.

• Remove four 14mm bolts on each front sway bar mounts.

 

• Remove old bushings and only use soapy water as lube to install new bushings. Reinstall   sway mounts and splash guard if you are only replacing bushings.  Beck Arnley 101-6460 Stabilizer Bushing Set 

• To remove front sway bar:
• Jack vehicle and place jack stands under the front of the vehicle
• Remove both front wheels
• Disconnect bottom nuts on both front sway links. Pulling on the sway bar and extending the sway links forward will provide better access to the nuts. 
• The sway link nuts are 19mm. Use a wrench on the back nuts to hold it in place while loosening the nut facing you. 
  
  
  
   
• To install front sway bar: 
• Install sway links on each side of sway bar. 
• Install sway bushings.
• Install sway mounts.
• Install front splash guard.
• Install front wheels

I used ADDCO Front Performance Anti-Sway Bar over OEM.

• To remove & replace front sway links. 
• Remove splash guard and mounts
• Remove top and bottom 19mm nuts on both sides of the front sway link.
• The top nuts are connected to the strut and the bottom nuts are connected to the sway bar. 
• The picture below illustrates the old OEM front sway link.

•  To install:
• Install top sway link nuts to the strut
• Install bottom sway links nuts to the sway bar
• Install sway bushings
• Install mounts
• Install front splash shield
• Install front wheels 

It may be difficult to install the sway links so try installing the bottom nuts first, or installing the sway bar before the sway links. I would tighten and torque the links down after the sway bar and mounts are installed.

I purchased Moog Sway Bar Link because there are Zerk fittings so I can grease the bushings. Nissan OEM Sway Links do not have grease-able Zerk fittings.

It is time to change sway links where there is clunking and rattling going over bumps. Sway links will need to be replaced if there is slack when pulling on them. Another symptom is excessive lean or body roll in corners.

The nuts and bolts are most likely seized if not recently removed. Soak them with PB Blaster Penetrating Catalyst or another penetrating oil to aid in removal.

Below is a diagram from the service manual that has torque figures. 

DIY: Lubricate Propeller Shaft on Infiniti QX4 & Nissan Pathfinder

How to Lubricate Propeller Shaft on Infiniti QX4 and Nissan Pathfinder R50

The owner's manual recommends greasing and lubricating the propeller shaft every oil change.

• Crawl underneath the QX4 or Pathfinder and find the propeller shaft between the exhaust pipe and automatic transmission pan.

• Locate the Zerk fitting which is circled in the picture below. The fitting sticks out of shaft and may be difficult to access if pointing upwards. Drive a few inches front or back until propeller shaft rotates and the Zerk fitting points downward. 

 

• Use a grease gun with a coupler that will attach to a Zerk fitting. I use Lumax LX-1152 Black Heavy Duty Deluxe Pistol Grease Gun with 18" Flex Hose and Valvoline SynPower Synthetic Grease. The service manual says to use NLGI #2 lithium complex grease, as long as that requirement is met any brand is compatible. 
• A cross member is located right below the fitting and shaft so maneuvering the hose will be necessary.

• Give the grease gun a few pumps. Do not excessively pump so grease leaks out of the shaft, you do not want to blow the seals.

Note:  The propeller shaft is known as the drive shaft everywhere else in the world. Japan calls it the propeller shaft.

I am willing to bet greasing the propeller shaft is often missed at quick lube shops and the dealership. This is a quick less than 5 minute job, take the time to do some preventative maintenance.

If there is drive train vibration and noise, greasing the propeller shaft may help.

This video is extremely helpful. 2001 Infiniti QX4 Propeller Zerk Fitting