Air Suspension for Pathfinder
Printed From: Club Nissan
Category: Model Specific
Forum Name: Pathfinder
Forum Discription: A forum for Pathfinder owners
URL: http://www.forum.clubnissan.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=5584
Printed Date: 14 December 2025 at 05:32
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 10.11 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Air Suspension for Pathfinder
Posted By: VT6165
Subject: Air Suspension for Pathfinder
Date Posted: 15 August 2012 at 21:37
Hi All,
Anyone aware of air suspension being able to be fitted to rear suspension on PF's ? when I have all my brood in which means 7 of us + hooking up the caravan the rear gets pulled down and the nose rises want to level it out if poss also if not to expensive.
Info welcome 
Thanks------------- VT |
Replies:
Posted By: Ratchet
Date Posted: 15 August 2012 at 23:22
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Evening,
You can get the Airbag suspension kits but they do cost a lot, BUT, there are other options.
One my Dad used years ago and are still available today, Monroe Load Levelers or equivalent, requires you changing the rear shocks and springs but these are a great upgrade IF they are available and much cheaper than Air suspension, not to mention less of a headache when it all goes wrong.
There is also the option of an uprated spring and shock to take a heavier load, these might be available from Nissan but should also be available from specialest motor factors that deal with 4x4 vehicles, you could also ask at your local towing centre and see if they can provide information of suppliers.
There are uprated shocks and springs available on ebay as well, it's just a matter of having a look and finding what you require. It would also help if you knew the total load you are pulling so you can get the right shocks and springs to take a little more than the load. Dont be tempted to get the cheap spring wraps, all they do is put extra unwanted pressure on the spring in the wrong places.
They are just hardend rubber that you wrap around the spring, it just takes up the space between the spring coils and acts as a buffer when the spring compresses, this also puts pressure on the spring coils and over time can weaken them in the wrong places and this can result in a broken spring. Not the best when towing with the family in the car.
Hope this is of some help to you.
Let us know how you get on and if you have any other issues we'll do our best to help out.
All the best ------------- Qualified ABC Diploma Level 1 & City & Guilds Level 2 Mechanic |
Posted By: VT6165
Date Posted: 16 August 2012 at 16:32
Thanks for that  , will look in to it all and get back, if I up graded the rear suspension instead of air bags would that affect the handling when not fully loaded with kids and caravan ? next time we are away I will try getting the diffrent weights.
------------- VT |
Posted By: Ratchet
Date Posted: 16 August 2012 at 21:38
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Your very welcome, Upgrading the suspension for stiffer shocks and springs shouldn't make much difference to normal handling, if anything it will feel less "top heavy" when cornering. However, I wouldnt try pushing it round croners on the old backroads at high speeds, with stiffer rear suspension it will only take so much before it "steps out" and slides, also I wouldnt try doing any serious off roading (example. 4x4 test track at Gaydon motor Museum) Normal field running and getting across campsites will be perfectly fine for it.
Once you have an idea of total weight when toeing and loaded you will have a more informed idea of how stiff the new shocks and springs need to be.
Glad we could help you and let us know if we can help with anything else
All the best ------------- Qualified ABC Diploma Level 1 & City & Guilds Level 2 Mechanic |
Posted By: Ratchet
Date Posted: 16 August 2012 at 22:32
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Just as another thought,
Have you got the caravan loaded as well?
If you do you might have the load too far towards the nose of the caravan. The best place for any load in the caravan is around the middle over the axels, loading it this way will help bring the towcar's nose down as the weight is not all at the nose of the caravan pulling the towcar's back end down.
Let me know how you get on. ------------- Qualified ABC Diploma Level 1 & City & Guilds Level 2 Mechanic |
Posted By: VT6165
Date Posted: 17 August 2012 at 13:30
Hi, Yes van is loaded, but it gets spread across the axel, its a large 6 berth van which it's self is 1750kg,once she puts everything in but the kitchen sink  I reckon at a guess I'm close to 2000kg on the van it's self, fling in 4 teenagers and 1 9yr old plus us two in the PF, I say approx the total weight of all would be 4000kg - 4500kg. I take into account that the PF is able to tow 3000kg, the PF pulls no probs, I would just like the back end up a bit more which would bring the nose down, also the van would sit more level as the hitch sits a touch low.
Vince ------------- VT |
Posted By: Ratchet
Date Posted: 17 August 2012 at 20:50
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Thats a lot of weight, definitely needs upgraded shocks and springs and by the sounds of it it's going to be a specialest item, You'll have to do a lot of searching around to get these.
I have done a little search and found a place in Australia but they are very expensive, with that said, it will give you an idea of what to look for.
http://www.4wd1.com/Pathfinder-R51.htm" rel="nofollow - http://www.4wd1.com/Pathfinder-R51.htm
Thats a link for what I have found, I will do some more searching and see if I can find somewhere in UK that deals with something like this, IF and when I find something I'll post it up on here for you.
If you find something in mean time let us know.
Just as something on this side to think about, if your towing that much on your normal car licence and the fuzz pull you over you could end up in trouble as your only permitted to tow a max weight of 3500kg, thats the total weight of your towcar and trailer as one unit.
Sounds really stupid but I thought I'd just let you know.
I'll post anything else I find of interest for your shocks & springs.
All the best. ------------- Qualified ABC Diploma Level 1 & City & Guilds Level 2 Mechanic |
Posted By: VT6165
Date Posted: 18 August 2012 at 00:11
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great thaks for all the info ------------- VT |
Posted By: VT6165
Date Posted: 19 August 2012 at 16:34
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Hi Ratchet,
Going to go with the M A D spring inserts, not massive expense + able to fit myself, thanks again for your info. ------------- VT |
Posted By: Ratchet
Date Posted: 19 August 2012 at 17:37
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That's great and your welcome. Let's us know if we can help with anything else. All the best. ------------- Qualified ABC Diploma Level 1 & City & Guilds Level 2 Mechanic |
Posted By: Samoyedman
Date Posted: 22 November 2012 at 02:29
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Ratchet
Not sure you are correct on "the max weight 3500kgs = Weight of car and trailer as one unit"
It is my understanding that your Braked Towing Weight of 3000kgs = Trailer + anything in it + Weight of everything else in your car ( Not your car). If you included the car ( 2880kgs) you would not be allowed to tow anything as the driver alone would put you close to the limit.
Samoyedman
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Posted By: Ratchet
Date Posted: 26 November 2012 at 11:18
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I'm not 100% sure, I'm just going by what I was told by the traffic police.
I did do some research and found this
https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/driving-licence-rules-and-what-you-can-tow" rel="nofollow - https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/driving-licence-rules-and-what-you-can-tow
------------- Qualified ABC Diploma Level 1 & City & Guilds Level 2 Mechanic |