SO ever since i hit 100,000 miles on my Xterra all of the sudden it seems like all of these problems hae just started to pop up all over the place. I have a rear main seal leak, im leaking antifreeze, i have a slight knocking noise coming from waht seems to be the distributor, i need a new timing belt and what not, plus there is now a squeaking noise coming from the rear of the xterra(might be the U-Joints or something in the axle. SO i guess my question to everyone is has anyone else had these types of problems? IM getting extremely pissed off cause it seems like everytime i turn around there is something else leaking or breaking. Help me im a poor college student and im on a tight budget!

I can try and help with a few of those problems. This is not a common occurrence that I'm aware of.

First off, how bad of a coolant leak do you have? How much do you have to refill and how often?

The knock in the distributor sounds like it is time for it be replaced. I believe there was a thread about this exact problem not too long ago if you will do a search on it.

The squeeking noise in the rear I would bet is just your suspension. Could be anything from worn shocks to just dried out bushings in your shackles.

I'm sure some guys will follow me up with more help. I know this is pretty vague. Don't look at what's happening by the number of problems you are having. Be thankful they are mostly issues you can repair yourself and not something like a blown head gasket or fried valves etc.

I know it sux but if this is pissing you off... don't buy GM :mocking:

I have good and bad news for you.

The good is that I also have a rear main seal leak. You are not alone.

The bad is that the dealership saw that(during a trip there due to recalls) and wanted to charge me around $900.

Honestly, I just keep a keen eye on my oil levels. Depends on how bad the leak is though........

OK, don't throw in the towel. Is the antifreeze leak from the water pump? If so, just replace it during the timing belt replacement.

Slight knocking noise from the distributor, you said you need your timing belt replaced, start there.

So your timing belt needs replaced. Hello, you saw it was coming up on 100k, right? That's a maintenance issue. Kinda like saying "Geesh! I have to change my oil again?! It's only been 3000 miles!!!!" I mean really.

The squeak can be a ton of things. Is it rotational? Only over bumps? Small bumps, big bumps? Side to side motion of the Xterra only? Need more information on that. Shocks, sway bar bushings, u-joints, shackle bushings, dust in the drum brakes, dragging brakes, wheel bearings due to rust, slinger on the yoke pushed into the diff, slinger on the rear output on the t-case got pushed up into the driveline...get my drift on the possible problems there? Need more info on this as well.

I may be kinda harsh here, but a vehicle over 100K miles is going to have some sort of issue. Most of them can be fixed with a good Haynes manual and a Saturday. Then you've a kick arse Xterra again, a renewed sense of pride in both yourself and your vehicle and you can tell me I charge too much to do it because everyone can do it themselves!

OK, don't throw in the towel. Is the antifreeze leak from the water pump? If so, just replace it during the timing belt replacement.

Slight knocking noise from the distributor, you said you need your timing belt replaced, start there.

So your timing belt needs replaced. Hello, you saw it was coming up on 100k, right? That's a maintenance issue. Kinda like saying "Geesh! I have to change my oil again?! It's only been 3000 miles!!!!" I mean really.

The squeak can be a ton of things. Is it rotational? Only over bumps? Small bumps, big bumps? Side to side motion of the Xterra only? Need more information on that. Shocks, sway bar bushings, u-joints, shackle bushings, dust in the drum brakes, dragging brakes, wheel bearings due to rust, slinger on the yoke pushed into the diff, slinger on the rear output on the t-case got pushed up into the driveline...get my drift on the possible problems there? Need more info on this as well.

I may be kinda harsh here, but a vehicle over 100K miles is going to have some sort of issue. Most of them can be fixed with a good Haynes manual and a Saturday. Then you've a kick arse Xterra again, a renewed sense of pride in both yourself and your vehicle and you can tell me I charge too much to do it because everyone can do it themselves!

Hear hear!!

Thanks man...Ok so first things first...im trying to narrow down where the Antifreeze leak is coming from...im going to get underneath the X this weekend and locate that...as far as the squeaking noise goes...it is a rotational noise the slower i go the slower the creaking/squeaking noise is, the faster i go the faster the noise...possibly a U-Joint?

Could Be The Carrier Bearing As Well

If it's 2WD, then it could be a carrier bearing. But could still be a u-joint. A 1310 u-joint is available at any parts store. I like the Spicer joints myself (153x). A heavy duty joint will have a grease zerk in it, just make sure it's put in on the compression side of the joint. ;)

sorry to hijack but if i want to change out my u-joints what all should i need to do the job???? i have heard from others that the dealer said you have to change out the whole driveshaft...... im not saying anynames but you know who you are..... LOL

They're correct, the dealerships will sell you a drive shaft and won't usually service the u-joint separately. I use a vise (a good one mounted solidly), hammer (again, a good one, with weight behind it!) and something to get the clips out (dikes, needle nose pliers, etc.).

I knock them out and knock them in. Some folks fight them, it's kind of a knack thing. But if you take your shaft to a drive shaft shop, they'll usually do it for a nominal fee. That way you know it's done right, and that you're not missing any needle bearings! You'll know what I mean if you've ever dropped a u-joint on a trail, in the middle of Moab on a 110° day! :D

So what should i ask for when i go to an auto parts store? What is the name of the U-Joint or part number so that can get one...and also I can do it at home right?