12/29 Steering system install

Adam and I will be installing my Calmini steering system on the 29th, starting at 9AM at his place.

Anyone interested in watching/helping is welcome!

Mark

BTW - I drink Bud Light or whatever you want Mark.

You got it!

Mark

I may be able to swing by. I just installed mine with Dan a few weeks ago.

Make sure the wheel is tied securely.

I've done enough of those things. 2 hour job max including resetting toe. Make sure you have a 3jaw puller for that pitman arm and grease the heck out of the idler arm before you drive it.

To save money on an alighmnent, a tape measure and an extra set of hands is all that's needed to reset the toe. After installation, get the steering wheel straight and make your adjustments using that baseline. You should end up with about 1/8-1/4" of toe in for optimal tire wear - the steering install doesn't affect caster or camber. Make sure you have a common point of reference all the way around the tire, and each time you make a tierod adjustment, roll the truck back and forth a few feet before measuring again.

Another hint - break loose the tierod jamb nuts while they're still on the truck. Much easier. Don't forget that one on each side is reverse threaded.

For removing the TRE's, don't use a pickle fork...you'll destroy the boots. Pull the pins, remove the nuts, and hit the knuckle where the TRE goes through squarely a few times with a BFH, and they'll pop right out. You can do the same on the centerlink end (again, do this before you unbolt the CL and idler/pitman arms.

Happy wrenching!

Thanks Andy for the tips!
I never installed one before and wasn't sure what all would be included with the kit. I even tried Searching but was unable to find where someone documented the whole job. I don't think it will be that painful and I've taken many a TRE off without destroying it. VW Baja Days with bent steering components.

Something else that helps is to WD40 the crap out of the steering shaft above the pitman and let it penetrate for a day or two. Should make the pitman a little easier to get off.

You'll need (or should use) one of these- BFSOCKETS

We may run up for that. I have a harbor frieght nearby. Thanks for the find!

If you can kind of describe exactly where/what that is, I'll do just that

Mark

Go to Vatozzone and rent a 'Pitman Arm Puller'. I hear it is the right tool for the job...weird, huh?

Mark: Driver side, right where the idler arm would be if that side had one. WD 40 the shaft that points down to the ground with the arm on it. You will see some splines at the top.

FYI: The nut on the shaft is a real tough nut to crack. I had my full strength and body weight behind both mine and Dan's, no joke. Get a BIG wrench and a breaker bar for sure.

My pitman arm was a breeze to remove... though maybe that was just because we had the right tools (THANKS NISSANNUT!!)... a 3/4" socket wrench and appropriate socket to get the nut off and a pitman arm puller to pop the arm off.

Tray answered your WD40 question.

I've done about half dozen steering installs....Xrock's Xterra was the worst one to get the pitman arm off...we fought that one. Mine were both pretty easy.

The 3 jaw puller from Autozone is what you need....don't get the little 2 jaw one - it's not big enough. I use that tool enough that I just bought one from them.

Just bumping this thread. See you tomorrow Adam.

Mark

Thanks for the Beer and I hope your alignment went well.

BTW - The system was very easy to install on the rust free components.

Thanks Adam for the help. Pretty easy install in case anyone is wondering. I couldn't get in for the alignment so that what I'm doing today.

Bummed, wanted to get out and about today

Mark

You definately missed out, maybe next time!

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Steering only affects toe. You could have done it yourself with a tape measure and saved yourself a few $$.