While driving and let off of the gas pedal the SUV gets squirrely?

1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER

199,400 MILES • 3.3L • 6 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC

TRACIE FERGUSON

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When I am driving down a road and let off of the gas pedal the SUV gets squirrely for a second. then when you put your foot back on the gas it does it again. seems to be the rear end that is doing the moving but I don't know. it's only when you let off the accelerator or place your foot back on it. Other time the SUV drives great. What can it be?

Aug 15, 2021 at 8:15 AM

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KASEKENNY

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
18,907 POSTS

This sounds like a possible bearing issue, suspension issue, or even a tire.

Basically when you are accelerating you are loading the drivetrain and taking up any slack or looseness in the suspension. Then when you decelerate the drivetrain and suspension relax and if they are loose they can cause a wonder. The feeling you are getting is actually the tire wondering back and forth down the road.

It is not going to be something that you will see until it gets to the point of falling off but we need to start with checking the tires and see if they are worn. This could be the issue or just a sign of what the issue is so here is a guide that will help with checking them

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-car-tires-work

Below is a chart as well. Please run through this info and let us know if you have questions on this and what you find with the tires. If they are fine, we should rotate them and retest just to be sure this is not a defect in the tire that is not visible. Then we are going to have to inspect the suspension. You should have a solid axle, correct?

Thanks

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Aug 16, 2021 at 8:32 AM