Damn Carlton. He was just making an observation. Chill out. We will all see the truth once they start shipping them. All I can say is I hope it works well, so I don't have to replace anymore freaking steering components.

If that was a test unit and not an actual retail part, then why did he have to buy it?

Without him driving on the Calmini system then I think that what he said was wrong. Especially because he has no first hand knowldge of how it works. Nor do I think he has the technical qualifications to make such statements. Especially after the stupid remark he made about needing the idler arm brace on the SLR system to help the bushings. That tells me how little he really knows.

Have you ever had to custom manufacture something as complex as a gear set? Or for that matter have the money to do so? Do you even know what is needed to make these kinds of parts? If not then why don't you quit your bitching.

Calmini has more products for the Xterra than anyone else in the aftermarket area and because something has taken a little longer than expected you have to bitch about it.

Well, isn't that the pot calling the kettle black. I think you need to read what you just said Carlton. Hypocrite!!

Actually I think if you counted product by product SLR offers more than anyone including Calmini. Nit picky , I know , but facts are facts.

Just to clarify, I happen to like Steve. I'm not bad mouthing Calmini by any means. They are no different than any other manufacturer when it comes to time delays. Still makes it a pain in the ass though.

Cmone Leave Carlton alone, he needs to suck up to Calmini for some reason ( none of our bussines )

SLR did absolutly no testing, or they would know that their bushings wear out after first wheeling trip

Quote:

Who is the third?

And how can Desert Rat make usefull observations about steering components aside from saying what broke on someone elses design?

And for that matter he has not used the Calmini system so how can he make such a general statement?

If you are refering to my personal problems with the AC arms then I don't see what you are talking about.

However if you are refering to the fact that AC had to "make new arms" for me then you are wrong about me being a hypocrite. AC knew about the problem before I even brought it to their attention and were not ready with the solution. Not only that they tried to hide it.

I just like picking on AC and the AZ guys.. they make it so easy

The AC system did not use a redesigned pitman or idler arm. Notice there is no drop in the pitman arm. This allows the tie rod to mount in a similar place as the stock geometry.

The AC system simply mounted the tie rod to the bottom of the stock pitman arm, changing the angle by a large amount, thus increasing bumpsteer.

I just have to say:

OlEg tYpe LiKE CaveMan...

No, it does not. Read my post above, and study the pictures some more.

When you understand the geometry better, please come back and post some more. Until then, please stop trying to describe what you know nothing about.

Here's a thought, why not call CALMINI and have them explain it to you instead of guessing what's going on ?

There's a visual I didn't need right before lunch.

Well , a tossed salad is now totally out of the question.

What a grown up response, but about what I expected.

Seriously, call them and educate yourself on steering geometry instead of just guessing what's going on, since you're way off the mark.

Can't win by logic and education so you are switching to name calling? Great!!

Where was I not decent ? You called me a prick and an ass kisser, I merely stated you should talk with CALMINI and get the facts from them, instead of making them up.

Regarless of how the idler, pitman, center link and tierods are attached, they all move in the same fashion. Turn the steering wheel, and the pitman arm turns X number of degrees. The tie rods are mounted closer to the center of the vehicle, which means they are longer, and less prone to bumpsteer. They are also aligned with the lower control arm, and travel through the correct arc during suspension movement.Bumpsteer will not increase with the design.

How do I know this ? Because I actually talk to vendors on the phone instead of just guessing at things.

Your "extensive" experience is nothing more than breaking AC's poorly designed system, and running SLR's system for a few weeks.
I'll take the word of the CALMINI engineers and their CAD/FEA software over the word of you any time.

I have a very good friendship with Steve Kramer, something I did not expect when I started running ads on XOC last year. We talk on the phone several times a week about everything, not just Xterra related issues.
Do I kiss his ass about his parts or company ? No. I see good design, and I comment on it. Do I like CALMINI products ? Some of them, but certainly not all of them. It's that way with every vendor.

Don't believe what people say about me. I am a prick in person and on the Internet, unless you treat me with a bit of respect, and then I will do the same in return.

I had a very long conversation with Steve @ Calmini quite by accident today, and he is more than glad to talk your ear off about the engineering behind his products. You've got to have some idea of what's going on, but if you do, he can gel it very well for you.
I'm pretty convinced this one was done right. If and when the time comes for me to beef up my steering, this is the answer, hands down. The price certainly doesn't hurt either

Brent

This is an exaggerated drawing of why a longer tie rod (to a point) will give you less bump steer throughout the range of suspension travel. This is also the reason your tires are severely toed in when you first install a suspension lift on your Xterra.

Ideally your control arm and tie rod would be the same length and follow the same arc, but that is rarely possible.

I'm not picking sides just pointing out the facts.

Well, I would love to keep out of general threads and concentrate on building parts, but this misleading information must stop. Thanks to some people on XOC, the things being said in this thread were brought to my attention.

So Steve from Calimini bolts a new steering system on his project X as soon as he receives the parts from the forging house. He sends the photos to Xterraparts.com and now these photos are being distributed over the net and it's "The Future of Nissan Steering".

Olegkha:

"I think it's understandable that SLR did not test their system offroad...SLR did absolutly no testing, or they would know that their bushings wear out after first wheeling trip"

Did we not already cover these points in the last thread ("SLR CL" under Manufacturers' Row)?? Apparently you know Michael Rubenstein and must have heard "their bushings wear out after the first wheeling trip". I have already gone over SLR's testing, so there is no reason for me to waste my time going over it again.

We have tested with Nissan's Delrin bushings with SLR's idler arm brace, not a Calmini brace. Michael is currently running a Calmini brace. I do not know how Calmini has designed their brace and the tolerances that they are using (punching production style or laser cutting), but I assure you the tolerances maintained with the SLR brace would not see the slop that Michael has experienced.

We sent Michael new centerated bronze bushings free of cost by Next Day Air to take the place of the OE Delrin bushings. All SLR steering kits will now have this new bronze idler bushing. We also have a new 4130 heat treated idler arm OE replacement shaft that will take care of the problems of Nissan's junk material.

The SLR steering design is simply an OE replacement steering setup. It will not change your OE Nissan designed steering system. We simply redesigned Nissan's system with wear points and to make your idler arm be in double shear.

Welding to OE Nissan forging??



Welding will not change the strength or the integrity of the forging. We are aware of the price and the complaints we have received, but let me assure you that ours will be the last steering system that you will buy. I will stand behind my system 110%. I will also have a budget-minded system available within a few weeks.

Calmini McMillan:

Lighten up..photos does not mean real time testing.

"Especially because he has no first hand knowldge of how it works. Nor do I think he has the technical qualifications to make such statements. Especially after the stupid remark he made about needing the idler arm brace on the SLR system to help the bushings. That tells me how little he really knows."

Any idler brace will help the Nissan OE Delrin idler bushings. Have your idler in double shear or captured will help reduce movement on the OE Delrin bushing.

I would not discredit Andy's points in the least bit. I'm really glad to have him using my steering system and love the real time testing. SedonaX has also made some great points.

Once again, lighten up. This board is open to people's first-hand views and opinions.

I'm not trying to start a contest of words between SLR & Calmini or SLR & Calmini McMillan. I would just like the community to be informed with the proper information. I think that Calmini has really stepped it up in the Nissan industry, which is great. I love competition. I can't wait until we get a chance to test the capabilities of the Calmini components SLR style.

I think that the Calmini system is a good start and a few refinements should be made before production.

Thanks for the support and interest in SLR.

>>>SLR

...sintered bronze bushings...

So... how's climberRN's custom steering set up holding up?

I did get the opportunity to drive his truck on and off road and noticed no difference between my stock steering and his custom one.

-Tarex

SLR: Bottom hole in calmini brace is correct size, there is no play there

I seen Mike's Truck, and the bolt that goes throught the brace and the arm had NO play in it

so the only thing that F...ed up were bushings

If you did as much testing as you SAD you did, You would have the same problem, but your desert runs should not be counted as Full Range of tests !
So as far as i am consern You DID NOT test your system.