Full Steering Setup

Cruecible

Cruecible

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Good Morning!

I was reffered to you by NMTerras for beefing up my steering components. While lurking through some old threads, I came across an old link that was to a full steering replacement but the link doesn't work anymore and maybe I'm dumb, but with navigating through the site I couldn't find anything for steering for a 1st gen X.

I'd love to give my money to a good company that has many good things said about it, and that of course supports the Nation. Any help would be awesome!
 
Cruecible

Cruecible

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Location
Albuquerque, NM
KChurch86 said:
Allow me to direct you here:

http://www.xterranation.org/showthread.php?1005-Steering-Setups

That thread right there shows what some guys here are running, and there's some really useful info there.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

I've read through that thread a few times lol. I am definitely considering piecing together a full set myself but buying a complete kit is very appealing. I got some local help to point me in the right direction, I'm going to go that route for now.
 
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rokdaddy

rokdaddy

Wheeling
Founding Member
Location
New Mexico
Not sure how much research you've done but these are some of the more popular components:


1.Grassroots modified centerlink. http://www.grassroots4x4.com/index....n=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26&vmcchk=1&Itemid=26

Your centerlink is the long bar under the front of the vehicle that connects the steering knuckles and keeps the wheels parallel to each other when steering. The stock centerlink was poorly designed in our trucks. When placed under load (when turning) the load path through the centerlink causes it to twist and flex. This unwanted movement wears out the small ball joints that hold the steering assembly together. Grassroots takes the stock centerlinks, removes the balljoint sections then they weld on sleeves with stout spherical bearings.


2. Heavy duty tie rod adjusters - https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/heavy-duty-tie-rod-adjustors-p-6361.html

Tie rods and adjusters link the centerlink to the steering knuckles at the wheels. The stock adjusters are a little wimpy and get bent pretty easily (screwing up your alignment), the heavy duty ones have a thicker diameter and are more resistant to bending.


3. Idler arm brace - https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/xterra-idler-arm-brace-p-59.html

The idler arm assembly on our trucks is a little flexy and can make steering response a little mushy when running heavy tires. An idler arm brace will help firm things up.




These are just a few popular examples that are out there, as long as you upgrade your centerlink, tie rod adjusters and add an idler arm brace, you should be good to go on any terrain.


-Rok
 
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Cruecible

Cruecible

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Once again Rok, you're the man. I'll get those as soon as I can. As far as research goes, I suppose I really shouldn't have called it that because I pretty much just read through what other people bought and felt compelled to match them. If those three things will get me going solid, then I'll do that. If there are other things financially feasible that I should also get, what would you recommend?

Thanks for the links Intender, I'm still considering a full kit but not sure if I can stretch that far yet.
 
xterror04

xterror04

Site sponsor
Founding Member
Location
Carlisle, Iowa
Roc hit the main things you need those are all the weak points in the system, I suggest a slr or calmini idler arm brace though and also bandit 4x4 idler arm bushings
 
rokdaddy

rokdaddy

Wheeling
Founding Member
Location
New Mexico
xterror04 said:
Roc hit the main things you need those are all the weak points in the system, I suggest a slr or calmini idler arm brace though and also bandit 4x4 idler arm bushings
Click to expand...

Good point on the idler arm bushings, probably a good idea to press in new ones while you're in there.

Also, that list is made up of commonly used components, not necessarily what I would choose if I was piecing together a kit. Most of the choices out there should be fine but I guess if it were up to me I would go with the Grassroots centerlink, either the AC or Calmini tie rod adjusters and the idler arm brace from Total Chaos: http://www.chaosfab.com/accessories.php?id=91440

Like I said though... these are good choices but there are others out there that are probably just as effective.


-Rok
 
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granitex

granitex

Skid Plates
Founding Member
Location
Columbus OH
The strongest of all steering setups revolves around a dana 44, but I doubt that you want to go to that length. What size tire do you want to run, and what is your style of wheeling???
 
Cruecible

Cruecible

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Location
Albuquerque, NM
granitex said:
The strongest of all steering setups revolves around a dana 44, but I doubt that you want to go to that length. What size tire do you want to run, and what is your style of wheeling???
Click to expand...

I'd love to do a SAS, but that'll be when my X is no longer my DD lol. I'm planning on running 33/10.5 in a couple months, but will upgrade later to a wider tider eventually. My wheeling style right now is fairly mild, consisting of desert exploring and some mountain stuff. No serious rock crawling though or anything like that.
 
granitex

granitex

Skid Plates
Founding Member
Location
Columbus OH
If you are easy on the skinny peddle than an IAB with HD adjusters will work out very well. What happens when the center link wears out is it rotates up to let the castle nut on the idler arm contact the bottom of the frame and something has to give. I have been running the Calmini setup for a few years and have been nothing but happy with it. But the king kong, and grass roots setups are very good also, it is not like you can make a real mistake with any of them.
 
Intender

Intender

Wheeling
Location
Lewisville NC
just as a side note, I think the calmini tie rod adjusters will only work with their kit. It is longer than stock because of the way the calmini system is set up and most likely wont work with anything else.
 
Cruecible

Cruecible

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Update: The Grassroots CL came in on Friday and looks indestructible, very impressive. The TC IAB, AC HD TRA's and Bandit 4x4 bushings should all come in this week. Then it's on to installation and finishing my suspension lift. Great excite. I've noticed something too which has happened a few times before... Whenever the steering wheel is at full lock and I'm making a slow speed turn (like into a parking spot) something will make a popping sound which is audible from both inside and outside the truck. I've never heard it happen at any other point besides full lock. I had this happen a long time ago with my Ford Lightning, and it turned out to be brake related oddly enough. Anyone have any ideas?
 
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