Front suspension redo - Infamous Nissan

91nissan94 · 10-30-2017, 12:09 AM

I though I would do this to share my experience. 3 years ago I replaced the front suspension on my truck. At this time I used advance auto ball joints and tie rod ends. I rebuilt the idler arm and used an autozone center link. I also installed energy suspension bushings.
I did all this to save money, except for the bushings. At install the inner tie rod ends from advance didn't mesh well with the autozone CL. Used autozone inners and all was well. Also used energy suspension tie rod boots all around.
After a while the truck just didn't feel tight. Ball joint boots lasted about six months. Keep everything greased and held it together.
Decided it was time to redo it and do it right. All moog everything. Replaced the idler arm with the updated moog one and did sway a way torsions this time. Didn't skimp this time.
The balljoints and outer tierods were trashed. The inners and CL still seemed ok.
CONCLUSIONS
1. Save the money and buy good parts. The quality difference is worth it.
2. Plan ahead and make sure your ready. Write down all the torques on one sheet of paper so you don't have to search.
3. I regreased all the bushings that I came in contact with. I got 8oz of formula 5 from ES and also used it on faces of all boots. Torsions also and so far no squeaks.
4. I don't recommend using the ES tie rod boots. Spindles cut into the outers and the inners squeaked on the CL. May have been cheap tierods but not taking the chance.
5. If you can do the torsions. Well worth the money. Got mine for 180. Cheapest I could find.
Hope this helps someone.

Foul_Mouth · 10-30-2017, 02:08 AM

I am doing the same thing right now using all Moog and ES parts. This will be the second truck I have done this to. I agree, spend the money on the better parts.

ahardb0dy · 10-30-2017, 02:49 AM

Tripe 5 (555) if you can find them is supposed to be very high quality parts and supposedly is an OEM supplier. Some parts on rockauto you can see the 555 logo on the parts.

kellybig · 10-30-2017, 05:03 PM

Thanks for the heads up. Mine is getting a total suspension overhaul in the spring.

91nissan94 · 10-31-2017, 12:27 AM

Forgot to mention that my Monroe gas a matics were still good. These are a little over 3 yrs old. They are for a 4x4, as my truck ride height is set at 3 1/2 inches. Fsm says ride height should be 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 inches. First set I've ever removed off it that were still good. Pinto's and factory replacement only lasted about 6 months. Still gonna replace them with KYB's .

kellybig · 11-01-2017, 05:13 PM

What brand torsion bars did you end up going with?

91nissan94 · 11-01-2017, 10:39 PM

I went with the sway away torsions. Very happy with them.

h.stickeye · 11-02-2017, 06:39 AM

I wanna buy MOOG parts, what recommendations for online store that ships to AUSTRALIA?

alabama_lowlife · 11-02-2017, 11:30 AM

Amazon maybe? Or rockauto?

91nissan94 · 11-02-2017, 12:40 PM

Everything except the lower arms and torsions came from Amazon. Sure you could try Ebay also.

10-30-2017, 12:09 AM	#1
91nissan94 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Crescent City FL Posts: 1,358 Vehicle: 91nissan hb Thanks: 60 Thanked 127 Times in 115 Posts	Front suspension redo I though I would do this to share my experience. 3 years ago I replaced the front suspension on my truck. At this time I used advance auto ball joints and tie rod ends. I rebuilt the idler arm and used an autozone center link. I also installed energy suspension bushings. I did all this to save money, except for the bushings. At install the inner tie rod ends from advance didn't mesh well with the autozone CL. Used autozone inners and all was well. Also used energy suspension tie rod boots all around. After a while the truck just didn't feel tight. Ball joint boots lasted about six months. Keep everything greased and held it together. Decided it was time to redo it and do it right. All moog everything. Replaced the idler arm with the updated moog one and did sway a way torsions this time. Didn't skimp this time. The balljoints and outer tierods were trashed. The inners and CL still seemed ok. CONCLUSIONS 1. Save the money and buy good parts. The quality difference is worth it. 2. Plan ahead and make sure your ready. Write down all the torques on one sheet of paper so you don't have to search. 3. I regreased all the bushings that I came in contact with. I got 8oz of formula 5 from ES and also used it on faces of all boots. Torsions also and so far no squeaks. 4. I don't recommend using the ES tie rod boots. Spindles cut into the outers and the inners squeaked on the CL. May have been cheap tierods but not taking the chance. 5. If you can do the torsions. Well worth the money. Got mine for 180. Cheapest I could find. Hope this helps someone. Last edited by 91nissan94; 10-30-2017 at 04:23 AM.

10-30-2017, 02:08 AM	#2
Foul_Mouth Infamous Autocrosser Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Western NY Posts: 3,976 Vehicle: 1986.5 4WD Reg Cab/ 1991 2WD Reg Cab(Red)/ 1995 2WD Reg Cab(Green)/ 92 WD21 4WD PathFinder Thanks: 387 Thanked 573 Times in 466 Posts	I am doing the same thing right now using all Moog and ES parts. This will be the second truck I have done this to. I agree, spend the money on the better parts. __________________ Nissan Truck Videos (Builds-Racing-Shows-Tech) https://www.youtube.com/c/NissanTruckguy IG@ rainmaker_d21

10-30-2017, 02:49 AM	#3
ahardb0dy The Post Count Whore Join Date: May 2014 Location: Sorrento, Florida Age: 52 Posts: 7,048 Vehicle: 1993 Nissan Hardbody Thanks: 58 Thanked 785 Times in 731 Posts	Tripe 5 (555) if you can find them is supposed to be very high quality parts and supposedly is an OEM supplier. Some parts on rockauto you can see the 555 logo on the parts. __________________ My name is Tony and I'm a Infamousaholic Current truck - 1993 Nissan Hardbody king cab 2wd , (formerly owned: 90 Nissan Sentra, 94 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4x4, 05 Nissan Titan, 87 Nissan SE-V6 4x4 king cab, 94 Infiniti Q45t & 80 Datsun 310GX )

11-02-2017, 11:30 AM	#9
alabama_lowlife Owner and Administrator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: jack, alabama Age: 38 Posts: 8,700 Vehicle: 2011 Nissan Frontier, 08 altima, 1970 Datsun 521, 1995 Nissan Hardbody Thanks: 500 Thanked 1,485 Times in 1,220 Posts	Amazon maybe? Or rockauto? __________________ INfamous Nissan Shirts IN Stock!

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10-30-2017, 05:03 PM	#4
kellybig Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Omaha Posts: 411 Vehicle: 1991 Nissan D21 King Cab V6 4x4 SE Thanks: 18 Thanked 37 Times in 36 Posts	Thanks for the heads up. Mine is getting a total suspension overhaul in the spring.

10-31-2017, 12:27 AM	#5
91nissan94 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Crescent City FL Posts: 1,358 Vehicle: 91nissan hb Thanks: 60 Thanked 127 Times in 115 Posts	Forgot to mention that my Monroe gas a matics were still good. These are a little over 3 yrs old. They are for a 4x4, as my truck ride height is set at 3 1/2 inches. Fsm says ride height should be 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 inches. First set I've ever removed off it that were still good. Pinto's and factory replacement only lasted about 6 months. Still gonna replace them with KYB's .

11-01-2017, 05:13 PM	#6
kellybig Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Omaha Posts: 411 Vehicle: 1991 Nissan D21 King Cab V6 4x4 SE Thanks: 18 Thanked 37 Times in 36 Posts	What brand torsion bars did you end up going with?

11-01-2017, 10:39 PM	#7
91nissan94 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Crescent City FL Posts: 1,358 Vehicle: 91nissan hb Thanks: 60 Thanked 127 Times in 115 Posts	I went with the sway away torsions. Very happy with them.

11-02-2017, 06:39 AM	#8
h.stickeye Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA Posts: 869 Vehicle: 91 Nissan Navara d21 Single Cab Thanks: 126 Thanked 83 Times in 73 Posts	I wanna buy MOOG parts, what recommendations for online store that ships to AUSTRALIA?

11-02-2017, 12:40 PM	#10
91nissan94 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Crescent City FL Posts: 1,358 Vehicle: 91nissan hb Thanks: 60 Thanked 127 Times in 115 Posts	Everything except the lower arms and torsions came from Amazon. Sure you could try Ebay also.