Bent Steering Arm

[rinmak]

I bent my steering arm and need to get it replaced

My steering rack is straight and still works fine, like i can turn the wheels both ways.

I have had a look at the area where the arm connects to the steering rack and it seems like I can just replace the arm. Does anyone know if its possible or not?

If so, any pointers on removing the arm from the rack?

Oh, this is on a Series 1 R33 GTS-T

[Mumbo#5]

i think u mean rack-end? You can replace he rackends if they are bent, but most power steer places wont have listings for your car so you will probably have to take the rackend down to them and get them to match it. Hope that helps

[rinmak]

Hey,

I knocked up a quick graphic to demonstrate the situation.

Im just hoping I can find replacement parts ASAP

Also my lower control arm is bent aswell

[mr_buca]

Hey I to have done this to my car.. just wondering how you went with it? Were you able to replace just that rackend piece?

If so any hints as to who to go see.

[rinmak]

Hey man,

Bad luck

In the end I replaced the inner and outer tie rods, the lower control arm & the tension arm.

Take a look at outer tie rod (the piece circled in red and white), if thats bent...replace it. Then take a look at your inner one (the piece not circled on that bar, connects to the wheel hub) and check to make sure the bit where the ball joint is hasnt exploded or is leaking grease everywhere. If it hasnt, then luckily you can just replace the bent outer rod

Also im assuming your lower control arm will be bent aswell (the bar in the pic with a hole in it). Need a new one of them.

Also my tension rod (the bar that has 2 bolts connecting it to the lower control arm) was shagged aswell. It was *slightly* bent but mainly was leaking grease at the pivot end.

All up heres what each bit cost me:

Lower control arm: $120 (Japanese wrecker, rip off)

Tension rod: $30 (Japanese wrecker, decent price)

Tie rod outer: $97 (Genuine NISSAN)

Tie rod inner: $130 (Genuine NISSAN)

I could have got it HEAPS cheaper if I had have waited for parts to be sent from interstate private wrecks or sourced them from local wrecks but I needed the car back on the road ASAP so I forked out .

Tips? Do the work yourself if possible. Most wreckers wont sell you the inner or outer tie rods individually (only as a whole steering rack), so look for a private wreck if you need them. Try to avoid new NISSAN parts at all costs - they are damn expensive.

And yes, inner tie rods can be removed from the rack end. Its a standard thread, probly need an adjustable to fit around it though.

Oh, and mark where the outer tie rod is up to on the inner one before you take it off, because when you put it back together, you will want it in the position again otherwise your wheel alignment will be all over the place. Its usualy a good idea to get a wheel alignment done once your finished anyway

Also I've included an illustration of the whole steering system from an R33 showing individual parts etc....helped me out

Edited November 28, 2005 by rinmak