[DLM]

Hi,

I have a stock 2000 XE CC 4x4 and would like to start doing some light off-roading. Preliminary research has told me that installing an idler arm brace is a good investment for peace of mind. Is that a good place to begin? If so, I see that Calmini and 4x4 parts.com offer one. Is one "better" than the other?

 

[Irongrave]

they are both about the same though 4x4 parts/AC has better customer service (not hard calmini has none)

 

[co_brannock]

4x4parts.com (AC) uses only two bolts out of the three factory holes. Calmini uses all three, which means more support and it'll be stronger. That's about the only thing I would buy from Calmini.

 

[DLM]

Are there other places I should start beefing up first?

 

[co_brannock]

You need to look at some tougher tie rods. 4x4parts.com has some good ones. They actually have a photo comparing the two. The stock tie rods on our trucks are crappy and if you catch something hard at a funky angle after some wheeling you're more apt to bend a rod or break.

The price difference isn't all that bad either...I think the Calmini idler arm brace is like 10 or 15 bucks more.

 

[chainsaw]

they are both about the same though 4x4 parts/AC has better customer service (not hard calmini has none)

This ^^^^

 

[DLM]

Well, I think I'm going to install the Calmini idler arm brace...

Can anyone provide torque values for the 3 bolts and 1 bolt under the arm, itself?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dr Phat]

Tighten?

 

[houdini]

Can anyone provide torque values for the 3 bolts and 1 bolt under the arm, itself?

Thanks in advance.

tight on the 1 under the arm. i don't have my FSM with me, but i would guess approximately 30-40

and very tight on the others....maybe about 90 on the other 3 holding to the frame.

and use some lock tite and make sure to go back in a couple hundred miles and double check they are all tight.

 

[DLM]

In case this thread gets searched sometime in the future, I found ft-lbs torque values from the Nissan Electronic Tech Manual. The usual caveats apply as I found this online from Bandit 4x4's website.

The three bolts that attach the assembly to the body are 58-72 ft-lbs. The one bolt under the idler arm is 40-51 ft-lbs.