Steering Setups

[xterror04]

Post up what you are running, What works, What doesn't...

After managing to squeeze 2 years out of my stock steering with 33's Im now in the middle of upgrading,

New Moog Centerlink, AC HD tra's, Bandit 4x4 Bushings in Stock Idler Arm, AC idler arm Brace, Deeza NI-T602 Inner Tie rods, Deeza NI-T618 Outer Tie rod

 

[GoBUFFS]

I have AC tra's and IAB coming tomorrow, I'm thinking I might do tre's soon as well. Ive never heard of deeza, I'm assuming you have heard good things about them?

 

[xterror04]

They were recommended to me by racerxxl they are supposed to be a stronger replacement and they are also greasable unlike most of the other ones... ill try and snap a pic of them nextto the stock ones they are beefy

 

[TKDx00]

New Moog Centerlink, AC HD tra's, Bandit 4x4 Bushings in Stock Idler Arm, AC idler arm Brace, Deeza NI-T602 Inner Tie rods, Deeza NI-T618 Outer Tie rod

For comparison what did this setup cost you compared to the complete setup from AC or SLR? I'm guessing it's beefier than Calmini so that would offset the greater cost.

 

[ChiXterra]

Where did you buy the Deeza ends from?

 

[GoBUFFS]

Where did you buy the Deeza ends from?

x2, you've got me interested xterror04

 

[xterror04]

I got the outers from rock auto, and the inners from amazon
top is stock bottom is deeza

As for cost, Im only into it for around $300.... thats for the Ac tra's deeza tre's bandit 4x4 bushings and moog centerlink... The weakest point will be my centerlink choice... but It has a lifetime warranty and I have always had good luck with moog parts..

 

[TKDx00]

IAs for cost, Im only into it for around $300.... thats for the Ac tra's deeza tre's bandit 4x4 bushings and moog centerlink... The weakest point will be my centerlink choice... but It has a lifetime warranty and I have always had good luck with moog parts..

So are you saying you're getting a MOOG centerlink?
In the end, do you think you'll spend the same as the price for AC's system? $1140.00

 

[ChiXterra]

I got the outers from rock auto, and the inners from amazon
top is stock bottom is deeza

As for cost, Im only into it for around $300.... thats for the Ac tra's deeza tre's bandit 4x4 bushings and moog centerlink... The weakest point will be my centerlink choice... but It has a lifetime warranty and I have always had good luck with moog parts..

I like. I found them on Rock Auto, but Amazon only listed the outers.

 

[xterror04]

So are you saying you're getting a MOOG centerlink?
In the end, do you think you'll spend the same as the price for AC's system? $1140.00

I already have the moog centerlink... Advance auto parts had a deal on there website for 15% off and get a $50 gift card if you spend over $100 so I bought one... mY cost is done at $300 so Im know where near the price of the other kits... Not saying my setup will be better... but seeing as I had a stock setup for so long I think this will last me a while...

Moog Centerlink : $100
Deeza Outter Tre's :$45
Deeza Inner's : $25
AC TRA's: $80
AC IAB: $25
Bandit Bushings: $55
Total $330

And thats all the parts

 

[xterror04]

I like. I found them on Rock Auto, but Amazon only listed the outers.

Did you searchthe part #'s i listed? they say there outters on the box but they are what we need for inners

 

[ChiXterra]

Did you searchthe part #'s i listed? they say there outters on the box but they are what we need for inners

No, I didn't. I ran out of time at work, but I'll do that tonight. I already ordered mine from Rock Auto.

 

[RacerXXL]

I got the outers from rock auto, and the inners from amazon
top is stock bottom is deeza

As for cost, Im only into it for around $300.... thats for the Ac tra's deeza tre's bandit 4x4 bushings and moog centerlink... The weakest point will be my centerlink choice... but It has a lifetime warranty and I have always had good luck with moog parts..

One thing to keep in mind with the Deeza's...if you intend to run a Grassroots HD centerlink these will cause issues. Once Grassroots installs the large spherical bearings in the centerlink it takes up some of the extra room where the inner tie rod ends attach and the Deeza's will actually make hard contact and almost stop the steering. I had to grind on mine and lose the zerc fittings but once that was done they worked fine.

 

[RacerXXL]

What I'm running

Grassroots HD centerlink
Deeza TRE's
AC HD TRA's
Bandit 4x4 idler arm bushings
AC idler arm brace.

The only part I don't like is the AC IAB as there is a part of the brace that sticks straight down just begging to get caught on a rock. Ordered a Total Chaos IAB to replace it with yesterday.

 

[drbandkgb]

I love my Total chaos much better vs AC's

 

[TKDx00]

I love my Total chaos much better vs AC's

Did you get the complete set from them or pieces?

 

[xterror04]

Did you get the complete set from them or pieces?

He is just talking about the idler arm brace

 

[TKDx00]

oh ok

 

[Jmac289gt]

Im running a Calmini kit,

I like it very much and it is very well built, better angle over stock, much better center link set up then stock too.

One thing I did not like that it does not tell you on the website is, you have to reuse your stock tie rod ends. Luckily I had brand new ones already.

Also, more then not if you are at a dead stop and try to turn the wheel it will not turn...like it is stuck on something, but once you move just a little it turns just fine. I have not figured out what this issue is yet and also been to lazy to call Calmini to see if they know something about it. Going to call now.

 

[idratherbe]

I'm running a Calmini kit,

I like it very much and it is very well built, better angle over stock, much better center link set up then stock too.

One thing I did not like that it does not tell you on the website is, you have to reuse your stock tie rod ends. Luckily I had brand new ones already.

Also, more then not if you are at a dead stop and try to turn the wheel it will not turn...like it is stuck on something, but once you move just a little it turns just fine. I have not figured out what this issue is yet and also been to lazy to call Calmini to see if they know something about it. Going to call now.

Hmm I didn't know that about the TRE's. If you knew this would you still have ordered it? You might have steered (pun intended) me in a different direction.

I think the problem is from the pump trying to turn bigger tires on the pavement, which is kind of like dragging them. That's why when you start to move a little it gets easier. Mine does the same so I make the effort to never turn the wheel unless I'm moving.

 

[Jmac289gt]

I would have still ordered this kit but I was just glad I had new ends already. If I had not had new ends I would have went and bought some cause I would not have wanted a new steering system like this with old ends.

 

[Morpheus]

I am currently waiting for the king kong steering system to be shipped from AC. I've searched and searched over the last 6 months, and haven't been able to find anyone running it to give me feedback on it.

I believe it's the same system sold by Total Chaos, as it looks identical, however I'm just making an assumption.

I went through 2 complete stock systems in 40,000km (25,000mi)

I hope that this system will be worth the $$$ and stand up a lot better to the abuse.

My main concern was how the heim joints would stand up to the road salt we have here, but this year I ended up buying a commuter car (07 Versa) to drive during the week, so I decided to put the X in the garage for the winter, and will probably do that every year, so it won't be an issue.

 

[Jmac289gt]

MODS:
Should we get these steering setups catagorized by brand in there own threads to make it easier for people to find information on which one they are wanting to get?

 

[xterror04]

MODS:
Should we get these steering setups catagorized by brand in there own threads to make it easier for people to find information on which one they are wanting to get?

Na I think one thread is fine... that way people can look through and ask questions instead of searching all over for different ones

 

[Ricel]

Someone told me heim Joints were illegal for on rode use. They blowing smoke up my ***?

 

[Mirage]

A lot of people make a bunch of noise about them not being DOT approved, but i've never actually seen any official wording saying otherwise, I just gave it a quick google search and couldn't find anything but a bunch of internet regurgitation, and its not like when I buy a regular ball joint or tie rod end it says DOT approved on it. And if a heim is in double shear or has a "safety" washer in single shear, its not like its going to go anywhere. A lot of stuff we do to our trucks isn't technically legal be it city/state/fed laws, but it still happens. Tons of people in the sports car crowds run heim tie rod ends and suspension links on the road, and i've never seen or heard of anyone getting a ticket for it either. I will say stay away from crappy/cheap/chinese heims, they will wear out fast and get all wobbly or just seize up completely

 

[Ricel]

Makes sense.

 

[TKDx00]

sensible thinking... now my question is , How do I tell the crappy/cheap/chinese ones from the better/well made/non-chinese ones? And I'm being serious because I've never held or seen one up close.

 

[Morpheus]

I've heard the same things about heim joints too, but I don't thing the regular cop on the roadside will know the difference, or worry about it.

There are different quality heim joints, just like there are different grade's of bolts.

I figure that if you buy them from a place like fastenal or brofasco, they'll be able to tell you the quality or grade.

 

[Mirage]

Aurora, QA1 and FK are the top 3 makers to me, I would use a one of there highest rated ones for the size and teflon lined. I have spherical bearing tension rods on my 240, that have Aurora's on them, I've had them 5+ years and the bearing still moves freely and have no rust or corrosion built up on them, I just wipe them down every oil change and thats the only maintenance they get. The way I see it, rod ends are used on aircraft, and most aircraft parts are held to an extremely high standard and traceability.

The thing with crappy chinese bearings, they are usually really loose, or extremely tight and start to bind up and stress other parts attached to them, if they don't break the shanks themselves.

 

[TKDx00]

Aurora, QA1 and FK are the top 3 makers to me, I would use a one of there highest rated ones for the size and teflon lined. The thing with crappy chinese bearings, they are usually really loose, or extremely tight and start to bind up and stress other parts attached to them, if they don't break the shanks themselves.

Thanks, good useable info. Rep point given. :kewl:

 

[Morpheus]

Got mine in the mail today!

 

[xterror04]

wow that looks beefy!

 

[Jmac289gt]

Really sweet looking kit.

 

[dhyde79]

I decided to put the X in the garage for the winter, and will probably do that every year, so it won't be an issue.

um....that's the exact opposite of what I'd expect....keep the 4x4 out when the weather is crappy and you might need it for safety reasons.....how'd that versa handle snow and such?

 

[ChiXterra]

Got mine in the mail today!

I like!

 

[Morpheus]

um....that's the exact opposite of what I'd expect....keep the 4x4 out when the weather is crappy and you might need it for safety reasons.....how'd that versa handle snow and such?

The versa's fine... equiped with snow tires, and we don't get crazy snow where I am anyways. I drive over 40,000km (25,000mi) per year, so I did the math, between the price of gas, and the fact that I'd probably end up having to replace the X in another year or two at the rate I was driving, this just made more sense for me.

 

[TKDx00]

Im running a Calmini kit,

One thing I did not like that it does not tell you on the website is, you have to reuse your stock tie rod ends. Luckily I had brand new ones already.

Confused here...the site says "The center drag link uses beefy off the shelf 11/16” McQuay Norris tie-rod ends for maximum strength and durability." Am I misreading this?

I called them to inquire... they said it's a complete replacement, all parts are there.


Morpheus: is that the TC setup?

 

[Jmac289gt]

The new center link does come with replaceable and adjustable tie rod ends, it is the heavy duty tie rod adjusters that do not come with the inner and out tie rod ends to put on it...trust me I was misslead on this myself but not to discourage anyone from getting this kit as it is built very nice...I would just get some new inner and outer ends to put on it instead of re-using old ones unless they are not that old.

 

[TKDx00]

... it is the heavy duty tie rod adjusters that do not come with the inner and out tie rod ends to put on it...trust me I was misslead on this myself...

So you're talking about this?: "Lastly, the kit includes new replacement tubular tie rod adjustment links that due to the system's change in configuration, are longer than stock. This added length helps reduce bump steer angle over stock."

Your saying this part isn't "Heavy Duty"?