Upgrading weak Xterra steering. Total Chaos install/update

[Morpheus]

In 2010 I started wheeling a 2003 Xterra

I drove it like I stole it, and by 2011 I had replaced most of the steering 3 times.



This started my search for a heavy duty solution.
I considered big truck parts like a Ford F-250, but that didn't get me too far.

I found the company Total Chaos in California.

http://www.chaosfab.com/

They advertised a heavy duty setup that consisted of a beefed up centre link, heim joint tie rods, and custom milled idler and pitman arms.





Since no one locally were using this system, I couldn't really check it out for myself, so I jumped in and ordered it. 

When it arrived, I could tell right away that it was going to work well 



Side by side you can see it. 




Installation was easy, just the same as if I was replacing OEM parts. 

The kit replaces the factory parts and use some very strong hardware to hold it together. Where the spindles were still tapered to expect a tie rod, the kit has a machined cone that adapts the OEM system to the TC one. 





Wheel alignment was a breeze, because of the combination of right thread and left threads in the tie rod (heim joint)

Long term testing next...

[Morpheus]

LONG TERM TESTING 

I have had to replace the heim’s twice since being installed, as they had a little play in the joints, and I wasn't comfortable driving it. 

The first set I ordered from a local hot rod shop, and got hosed on the price. 

I have since found that TMR carries them at about a third of the cost at the speed shop. 

http://www.tmrcustoms.com/store/

FAST FORWARD TO 2016

keeping in mind the xterra is not my daily driver, 5 years might be misleading. Calculate time at your own risk. 

CampNL2016 saw me climbing through a rock garden on the Anson North trail. At some point I got jammed against a rock and blew out the bearings in the idler arm. 




I contacted Total Chaos, as their idler arm and pitman arms are sold and labelled as “rebuildable”

I called TC and they had the kit available. 
Kit was worth $80. They offered to send it usps which passes to Canada post. 
Since I have timing issues with Adventure Weekend coming up, I asked them to overnight it by ups. 
Kit was packaged, and showed up today. 

4 business days, and I have them in my hand. 



Rebuilding next…

[Morpheus]

reserved

[sandor]

How long have you been running that setup Mike? I upgraded mine when I had by IFS Xterra, SLR I think, and it was way better than stock, but still left something to be desired. The TC setup looks pretty good, for a crappy design...how did Nissan get the steering dsign so wrong?

[Morpheus]

How long have you been running that setup Mike? I upgraded mine when I had by IFS Xterra, SLR I think, and it was way better than stock, but still left something to be desired. The TC setup looks pretty good, for a crappy design...how did Nissan get the steering dsign so wrong?

4-5ish years I think.

Engineers don't need to design anything stronger than what is exerted from hitting a pothole I bet.

[Bow_Tied]

The designers will get over ruled by bean counters if the parts are over designed. Robustness often costs more. There are however some trade-offs that can be made with out cost increases.

[Drizit]

If you want to save yourself some heim joints, just jeeps has some rubber boots for them. I put them on my steering as I had to replace them about every season. I keep em full of grease and so far this is my second season on the joints with no play what so ever.

[Snafu]

Is the truck back on the road now?

[Morpheus]

Yep, all is done.

I need to write up the last part and post some pics. I think that won't happen until next week.