Yeet! I like how you keep that Xterra fresh.
Yeet! I like how you keep that Xterra fresh.
Java (May 1st, 2020)
Wow, what an effort. Glad the clunk is gone.
Java (May 1st, 2020)
Java (May 1st, 2020)
After the big noise was gone I noticed a few small ones and got a little OCD on the front end. I tightened every bolt I could see, added cable ties to some wire routing, and replaced the sway bar bushings and end links and the brake pads. I took off the front bumper to get to some things, and while it was off I bought some paint and refreshed it. I used Rustoleum Universal in Satin Black, Satin Nickle, and Black Stainless Steel. Straighted out and repainted the front skid plate in Satin Black as well. I love the way the paint looks, I hope it's durable. It's also silent now, not a single creak or squeak anywhere. Next are rear brake pads and rear diff drain / refill.
Trail damage from Bald Mountain Gulch, a pretty easy trail. Upper ball joint broke, it was probably just it's moment, and by the time we got it back it spread to the lower ball joint, lower control arm bushings, sway bar end link and bushing, and the caliper / rotor / pads. I've never heard a bad sway bar end link before, it sounds like the whole truck is falling apart. Nice surprise on the trail. The lower control arm was predictably difficult, I tried for less than a minute to remove the bolts before using a cutoff wheel and sawzall on both bolts. Four cuts later I've decided I'm never doing lower control arms again. Just waiting on parts for the brakes, should be done today.
The PILE of busted blades says way too much.
On the plus side I've replaced both control arms / ball joints on both sides, new struts, new everything but steering links. Should last a long time...