I was wondering what everyone did after going off-roading.

The two times we have gone, we had some noise around the front of the engine. The first ended up being the power steering belt coated with dirt/dust and slipping a bit. Washing that off fixed that.

After the Toys for Tots run, we have a different noise in the same area. The noise is like a faint power steering pump whine, although I don't believe it is the pump. The fluid level is good, flows while engine is running, and the noise doesn't change with steering changes. It is much quieter than the GM pump failure sound, but still noticable. Any ideas?

Other things I'd like to know is where we should grease, should we repack the bearings, clean certain undercarriage or engine bay areas, etc.

Thanks

Chris

I usually get the truck washed after a run. I'll take it to a place where I know the undercarriage is getting washed, too. Then after it's washed I'll listen again for noises. Usually, I don't hear anything.

Right now, the truck is at the shop getting thoroughy detailed because it hasn't been done in a couple years.

Sorry I don't know this and am too lazy to search; what year is your Xterra?

It's a 2004 XE 4x4. My wife said it sounds better now, maybe washing it last night and driving in rain helped.

Ah, a 1st gen, I can kind of speak to this…

I wouldn’t do the wheel bearings unless they have not been done in the past few years or you suspect they need it.

The noise could be the dreaded alternator squeal of death. As you know Nissan, in all of its wisdom, decided to place our alternators down where water and mud can get to it. If we take our trucks through the mud (because its fun) and it gets into the alternator it will kill it sooner or later.
I’ve killed two so far and now avoid the mud.
Wash it out and spray silicone in it (not on the belt). It may last longer.

I take my truck to a car wash as Mike does but try a find one of those “self serve” ones. The problem with mud is that it won’t let stuff dry and therefore can cause rust. You need to get it off.

Besides the alternator mud likes to hide in the radiator, mud gets in between the fins and then bakes on. DO NOT POWER WASH! You will bend the fins. Ya might spray some simple green in there and let it soak then just use an open hose to rise. Let the water wash over and through the fins.

I then Powerwash everything including under the truck making sure to get;

Wheel wells.
Around the Body mounts.
On top of and inside the frame rails including the frame horns and cross members.
Behind the bumpers and the winch.
The front suspension and steering then grease.
Above the skid plates
The rear suspension, make sure ya get inside the front spring hanger.

I then grease all I can, use penetrating PTFE spray lubricant (Permatex Ultra Slick) on the leaf springs and bushings I can not get with a grease gun. I then spray the entire undercarriage with WD40. I do this BEFORE I WHEEL as well as spray the alternator and cold radiator with silicone spray. It makes clean up afterwards much easier.

I totaly Agree with mike and Tom
clean and lube everything shortly after the run.
check over for damaged or loose components.
and prep the vehicle for the next time out on the trails
it will make cleanup and maint. easier the next time.

Although....,
I tend to wear my mud and dirt for up to a week after as a trophy

as Pita and Mike sad car wash(SELF serve)(donot power wash the radiator will bend fins) radiator is easy to take out i did that after ECXC i soaked it for 24Hr in my tub and it worked awesome ever since !till i cracked the plastic on the top of it somehow,as far as alternator goes i dont really care cause i got spare one in my trunk all the time (auto zone life time warranty)!!!

As these guys say wash everything good and when your doing that you will come across things that need work. unfortunetly I am the worst when it comes to this, I don't wash right away so things get put off a lot.

If using a 220* pressure washer make sure you grease everything back up. Unless you like to sound like a squeaky mouse farting on the trail.

Been here before ( actually a few weeks ago ).

Here comes Dave... squeek squeek
Grease your damn truck already
Every thing is better when lubed