US25

I have RSVPd assuming (hoping) it's newbie...😀 so please confirm

Thanks Gaurav. The guys have narrowed it down to the sway bar which is bent and seems to be brushing against the wheel while turning. Looks like the differential is fine.

This has the diff-lock. Let me check if it's locked, although there is no sign on the dashboard. Thanks

Thanks @Srikumar @Gaurav. They are checking the oil at the moment and will open the diffs as well. I hear the noise only when I take a slow, sharp turn - when I turn the steering completely to the left. And I think it is more of a skipping than grinding noise, although not entirely sure.

Hello all, I took the Xterra for my first drive with the club a couple of weeks ago, and ten minutes into the drive, the drive belt came off and I had to be exited. Took the car straight to a workshop, where it has been ever since. They have done a complete check up and have fixed a number of issues. But there is a clunking noise from the rear while taking a slow left turn, that they have been unable to accurately diagnose. They suspect it is coming from the rear differential and said I might have to replace it completely! Has anybody had a similar experience and any idea what could be causing the noise? Thanks, Uday

Thanks Nathan. Hoping to see you again very soon.

Hi all, I am extremely sorry to be pulling out at the very last minute. I got my car back from the garage last evening after a detailed check up and a complete overhaul (so I thought). But in the morning the wheel alignment didn't seem right and there seems to be a strange noise from the front suspension. So I brought it back to the garage, since I didn't want a repeat of last week's drive where i had to be exited, and it doesn't look like I will be done in time. Once again, my apologies for the last minute withdrawal and hoping to be back very soon. Uday

Sorry about today everyone, was overly ambitious with the car! It was nice to meet you all. Thank you very much for the help!

Thank you very much, this very useful! 🙏

I haven't got the car inspected yet, did test it myself though and seemed to work fine. Do you recommend that I do a thorough check up before the drive? Any workshop that you can recommend?

Hello all, This is my first drive with the club. My only other desert driving experience is the 4 hour session that I had with Gaurav a couple of weeks ago. I will be bringing my 2010 Nissan Xterra Off road- that I bought this week - so first drive with this car. It has tow hooks on the front and back. I also have a flag, compressor and a radio, but I am not sure if the radio will work. Please let me know if radio is a must for tomorrow, and anything else that I should come prepared with. I am quite excited and looking forward to meeting you all tomorrow. Uday

Hi all, As an update, I have bought the Xterra (2010, Off road). Seems fine so far, although a lot of wind noise and a bit of a creak here and there. Engine is quite punchy and relatively smooth for it's age. Going for my first desert drive with the club tomorrow, so hoping it holds well. Are there any good off road garages, preferably that specialise in Xterras, that you can recommend?

Thank you very much everyone, this really helpful. I will then go ahead with the one that has diff-locks, and see how it goes from there. Looking forward to my first drive with the Club this weekend!

Thank you, Gilberto, this is very helpful. Is it something that I should do on day 1, or as and when I progress? The reason I ask is, there are other Xterras available at that price point that have the switch but not the diff lockers. Do you think I should consider them instead?

Hi all, I just joined the club today, a total newbie. I went for my first desert driving session a couple of weeks ago in my 2022 Y62 V8 Patrol Titanium, and ended up damaging my front bumpers a little bit. So, I am now looking to buy an inexpensive car that can take the abuse better. I have found a 2010 Xterra, off-road model, in a fairly good condition and at a reasonable price, but it doesn't have a switch to turn the VDC/traction control off, although it has the rear differential locker. I quite like the car and am keen to consider it, but could not having the VDC switch be a deal-breaker? Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated! 🙏 Thank you, Uday