Hi guys! When i got my xterra first thing i noticed was the harsh ride, so i got the shocks replaced with bilsteins (stock specs) a little improvement. Now when i go over bumps, potholes and specially downhills with uneven surface the xterras frontend tends to pull from one side to the other, you really have to have a good grip on the steering just to keep it straight. My tires are aired up to recommended psi so that shouldn't be the problem. I did check all the steering components under there and so far everything seems be fine except a leak coming from the steering box (if that what you call it) and i dont know if that is good or bad. Is there any steering upgrades or modifications you guys recommend to fix this problem. Thanks! :)

*picture isn't mine...

i have the same leak but different symptoms, someone should know how to fix it. My xterra is hard to keep within the lines of the road, has loose steering

do a search for idler arm brace, xterras are know to have weak idler arms. you can also reaplce your centerlink with one by HooHaa (grassroots4x4.com).

4x4parts.com also sells a steering enhancement package that has an idler arm prace and a dampening shock that you install on your centerlink.

your idler arm bushing might also need to be replace./

you have a 2001, but what kind of miles do you have on it now?

thanks! atleast 130,000 km on it.

~ 81K miles

just thought id make it easier for yall :D

that is on the driver side isnt it?, i thought the idler arm was on the passenger side

yes, that picture he posted is the steering gear box and the pitman arm.

it apperas he just has a small leak, no that big of a concern. check your fluid levels and look for drip spots under your car when you park.

Thanks again guys! i think im gonna go with the idler arm brace and a steering stabilizer, i've been doing some research and found out that it reduces "bumpsteer". Is the rancho steering damper any good?

I have an '00 with 152K on it. It has ALWAYS pulled to the right, ever since I got it (@ 120K). All the tires are air up evenly (to recommended psi). I think I need to replace the idle arm. Am I right? (I have no clue about this kind of stuff).

Thanks again guys! i think im gonna go with the idler arm brace and a steering stabilizer, i've been doing some research and found out that it reduces "bumpsteer". Is the rancho steering damper any good?
I have both and I like both. The stabilizer really cuts down on what I feel in the steering wheel. However, when at a stop (say, waiting for a parking spot), it's a bit of a bear to turn the wheel. You really need to muscle it!

So i got my steering stabilizer and idler arm brace today. Hopefully its worth the CAD$245.00 that i've spent for it. Why would 4x4parts.com use UPS to ship the items, when i paid for USPS shipping? and it says so on my invoice. Fxck UPS! thats $50 down the drain. Hopefully its worth it.

So i got my steering stabilizer and idler arm brace today. Hopefully its worth the CAD$245.00 that i've spent for it. Why would 4x4parts.com use UPS to ship the items, when i paid for USPS shipping? and it says so on my invoice. Fxck UPS! thats $50 down the drain. Hopefully its worth it.

I would guess because USPS is United States Postal Service.. You sir live in Canada.. This is my only guess..

The idler arm brace won't tighten up your steering but it will add strength to the design by turning the single-shear idler arm into a double-shear. With the single-shear design, it is very easy for the arm to be "torqued" out of alignment which could cause the vehicle to pull to one side but this issue should easily be picked up when having your alignment done.

Other areas I would inspect would be the tie-rod ends and the idler arm bushings. Jack up the front end and see if you can wiggle the passenger side tire. If you can, look closely at the idler arm, where it joins the centerlink as well as the tie-rod ends. When you move the wheel, you should be able to pinpoint where the "slop" is coming from. The idler arm bushings are delrin (basically nylon) and can wear out over time which will allow the idler arm to shift on it's pivot pin back and forth. Replacing the bushings with either the OEM delrin bushings or even better, bronze alloy bushings from Bandit 4x4 (www.bandit4x4.com) will really tighten it up nicely and when used in conjunction with an idler arm brace will really beef up that weak link.

As others mentioned, you can upgrade the centerlink to a Hoohaa CL from www.grassroots4x4.com

The combination of an idler arm brace, upgraded centerlink and heavy-duty tie-rod adjusters from www.4x4parts.com will make the Xterra steering system extremely stout and able to withstand a ton of abuse.

What? there's a better option? Oh well too late for that now, thanks for the recommendation Drake.

Not a better option, just other things to add. :) You've got a good start on beefing it up with what you have ordered. But for every weak link you upgrade, it exposes another.

So far so good, steering is a bit firmer now and less feedback from bumps and potholes. I guess the part worth upgrading is the idler arm brace, the stabilizer shock (got the bilstein one) is a bit strong it pushes the steering center link and you definitely notice you're drifting to the right when driving after you let go off the steering wheel. I'll upgrade to a beefier steering later after im done with more important maintenance (timing belt, tranmission, etc). Thanks again for all the help and suggestions sirs!:wink-big:

Just wanted to say thanks to Drake for all the info... definitely doing the idler arm brace, bushings, and heavy duty tie rods from AC. Thanks again.

So far so good, steering is a bit firmer now and less feedback from bumps and potholes. I guess the part worth upgrading is the idler arm brace, the stabilizer shock (got the bilstein one) is a bit strong it pushes the steering center link and you definitely notice you're drifting to the right when driving after you let go off the steering wheel. I'll upgrade to a beefier steering later after im done with more important maintenance (timing belt, tranmission, etc). Thanks again for all the help and suggestions sirs!:wink-big:

So wait, the bilstien stabilizer forces the steering to go to the right? Is this good for the overall wear and tear on vehicle. And isn't that just dangerous?

Also! I found a better idler arm brace from Calmini... check it out.
http://www.purenissan.com/idler_arm_brace.htm

Total Chaos Fab also makes one (it's the one I have). It is similar to the Calmini design.

http://www.chaosfab.com/nissanaccess.html