Tie rod ends... What the hell does Calmini use?

[jitterymonkey]

My 95 WD-21's tie rod adjusters have female ends.

So both the tie rod ends are male.

 

calmini's adjusters have 1 male end & 1 female end.

http://www.purenissan.com/hd_tie_rod_adjusters1.htm

 

So their tie rod ends are 1 male & 1 female.

http://www.purenissan.com/tie_rod_ends1.htm

 

Of course I need the tie rod end that's female.

(not even sure if the male end is a stock piece)

 

An R50's outer tie rod ends LOOK like the one I need but I don't think they're left hand threads.

http://www.racepages.com/products/?Ntt=Nis...mp;N=4294965060

 

Anyone know if Calmini uses 1 WD-21 tie rod end & 1 R50 tie rod end?

Would be nice to be able to just buy locally.

[Simon]

They use a chevy tie rod end for the inners

[jitterymonkey]

They use a chevy tie rod end for the inners

 

You gotta be kidding me!

Know which one?

[Simon]

That I don't know.....but their website used to state "Beefy, off the shelf, Chevy tie rod ends for the inners" or something to that effect.

[GrimGreg]

Gotta love Crap-mini.

[jitterymonkey]

Just for future reference.....

http://nissan4wheelers.com/eve/forums/a/tp...3/m/34410339241

 

By the way Calmini just left a message on my phone.

Finally got a new idler arm in stock if I want it.

 

Going to see if they've changed/fixed the bearing design.

[nige]

i called them today about my bushings. They basically told me, they don't make replacement bushing kits, and i have to pay them $250 for a new idler arm assembly and he couldn't tell me if it would last longer. I clean and grease my idler arm at least twice a year (more if i go wheeling) and my bushings lasted about 1 season before they started to make noise. i originally thought it was worn front sway bar bushings, but i removed the sway bar and the noise persisted. when i booted the passenger tire a few times, i could see the arm moving up and down with each kick.

[jitterymonkey]

i called them today about my bushings. They basically told me, they don't make replacement bushing kits, and i have to pay them $250 for a new idler arm assembly and he couldn't tell me if it would last longer. I clean and grease my idler arm at least twice a year (more if i go wheeling) and my bushings lasted about 1 season before they started to make noise. i originally thought it was worn front sway bar bushings, but i removed the sway bar and the noise persisted. when i booted the passenger tire a few times, i could see the arm moving up and down with each kick.

 

Yep,told me the same thing. $250.00 That was after the core charge,right?

I'm taking my idler arm to a local machine shop 1st.

See if maybe brass/bronze King pin bushing or some other type would work.

If I can't find a better/cheaper solution, I'll do the spherical bearing install.

[nige]

yeah that's what it has come down to with me. I'll be working with my neighbor on mine. He's an ex-machinist and understands the concept with the spherical bearings. I'm not sure why he didn't use roller bearings instead. Maybe they aren't as durable as the spherical variation. I showed him my spare bushing set last night and he couldn't believe that Calmini charges so much money to rebuild the arms. I couldn't believe that people are paying Calmini to repair their own mistake and reselling the arm back to another customer, it just seems like a big cash grab to us. I love their steering setup, but they need to listen to their customers, otherwise there will be more of use that tell them to stick it by fixing their problem ourselves.