Topic: The Xterra is under the knife

[Paul]

The truck hasn't been sounding too good. Those that have heard it on the trail know what I'm talking about as it sounded like a rusty sewing machine. I've been putting it off and putting it off knowing what the problem was ... timing chain. The chain was all the way worn against the limits and something I can't do nor want to fail on the trail. So that's one reason I've been staying off the deep trails and have made a run in a long time ... but she's under the knife today, tomorrow and I'll get her back on Thursday.

The right rear shock is blown ... Nissan didn't have the correct shock for the 3" lift so that's on me. Leaking seal on the oil filter hat they're fixing. The alternator's bearing were squealing bad so that's getting replaced, too much like grunt work and getting the belt replaced too. They also told me that the engine was loose of the motor mounts. That I have to see to believe. Hopefully I can find some aftermarkets better than than stocks like the first generation has going for them. No strawberry milkshake of death so I dodged that bullet so far. Got the replacement by-pass tubing and external transmission cooler ready next.

$1500 is the total so far. They gave me a "free" rental so I took a Jeep Liberty (butt ugly!).

[Ghost65]

Hope she comes back better than new Paul.

[SuperSlideStyle]

Glad you got it taken care of sooner rather than later.  That's the price we pay for our lifestyle.  And yes, butt ugly!

[npgtech]

Hey Paul, hit up SteevO, he's the RuggedRocks owner, and makes the beefier motor mounts for the 1Gens, maybe he can help you out for your 2Gen.

[SuperSlideStyle]

I don't think he makes them.  He knows the guy that does though.  He only sells them through his online store.

[Paul]

$2700 or about. 

The motor mounts and labor are about $1000. Timing chain $1100. Alternator $600.

But looked at my GEICO insurance and they're still collecting my mechanical breakdown insurance! That's covers each line-item with a $250 deductible so the whole damage might be $750. 

The insurance inspector was suppose to come out today to look at the parts and render a judgement. No word yet.

[Ghost65]

$2700 or about. 

The motor mounts and labor are about $1000. Timing chain $1100. Alternator $600.

But looked at my GEICO insurance and they're still collecting my mechanical breakdown insurance! That's covers each line-item with a $250 deductible so the whole damage might be $750. 

The insurance inspector was suppose to come out today to look at the parts and render a judgement. No word yet.

Hope this goes well Paul...would like to see you and Noon on the trail in 2013!

[Paul]

GEICO covered $1600 worth of the repair, I picked up the first $800.

Still need a rear shock and front brake pads ... shopping now.

[Paul]

Skid plates back on. I managed to find metric grade 8.8 bolts (M8 x 30mm x 1.5) and grade 5 (3/8") hardware at Home Depot. The ShrockWorks "factory" supplied hardware was the same. The old stuff was pretty beat up. The heads were getting rounded on some of the lowest bolts.

New rear shocks and front brake pads in the mail.

[Ghost65]

What shocks did you go with?

[Paul]

What shocks did you go with?

The Bilstein 5125's for the 3" lift. They felt good for the first four or five years they worked. I blew a seal on one of them and could have done a rebuild on them but the heck with it.

[SuperSlideStyle]

Are those the ones thb AC is offering with their 3 in. AAL?  How much did you pay?  Need to buy those for the rear ASAP!

[Paul]

Are those the ones thb AC is offering with their 3 in. AAL?  How much did you pay?  Need to buy those for the rear ASAP!

I got them from www.4x4parts.com for $78 each.

https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/xterra-5100-series-bilstein-rear-shock-p-6749.html

[Paul]

Replaced the front EBC pads with Akebono ACT1094 ProACT Ultra-Premium Ceramic Brake Pad Set. The Akebono set came with all the stainless steel hardware and the "V" springs - nice touch.

The EBC pads didn't last 20,000 miles. 

I suspect the "V" spring (stock only includes one, the Akebono set came with top and bottom strings) might have been the problem as the inside pads were about 50% while the outside pads were down to their last 2mm worth of wear.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EQ0O9M/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00

[ultrapc40]

Having tried EBC twice and now on Akebono, I like Akebono much much more, less dust and longer lasting.  I now use them in my Ram 2500 now too.

The only other pad i know better are the HAWK pads, but the HAWK pads gets dusty quick.