Steering Linkage Replacement - a Nissan 720 Truck example

[Lugnutz]

This was a VERY easy and satisfying repair.  My 1986 720 is 2WD and has 215K miles.  I had some vibration in the steering which turned out to be a bad tire.  However, I discovered along the way that I had a lot of slop in the steering linkage.  I checked prices on parts and was surprised how cheap they are.
You will need a front end alignment after this repair, so keep that in mind for the budget.

Check the steering linkage for too much play.  Jack the PS wheel off the ground, leaving the DS wheel in contact with the pavement.  Grab the PS tire at 3 and 9 o'clock and wiggle the tire in a left turn - right turn fashion.  If there is much wiggle, then have a helper observe the tie rod ends, idler arm and pitman arm joints for laxity.  If you can wobble the PS tire and the DS stays still, that's a sign of worn out Tie Rod, Idler Arm or Center Link joints or ALL OF THE ABOVE.  Chances are that if you have 200K miles on the parts, then you are due for this repair.  Other symptoms are uneven tire wear, wandering in the steering and vibration that varies with the speed.

I got great prices on parts at Rockauto.com.
Inner Tie Rods were  $11.41 ea (you'll need 2)
Outer Tie Rods were $10.23 ea (you'll need 2)
Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeves were $6.80 ea (you'll need 2)
Center Link was $45.79 (you need 1)
Idler Arm  was $27.79 (you need 1)
Total = 130.46 plus shipping

You will disconnect the steering linkage at only 4 places.
1.  The PS Outer Tie Rod end from the Knuckle Arm
2.  The DS Outer Tie Rod end from the Knuckle Arm
3.  The Idler Arm from the Frame
4.  The Center Link from the Pitman Arm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lugnutz]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mklotz70]

Great write up!  Good job! Thanks :)

[athoose]

Thanks for the write up!  Nice truck too.

[GreenEggs&Ham]

Well laid out: not much left to question. Nicely done!

[Not 420 Just 720]

Im about to attempt this. Thanks for the info and great pics.

[5t341tH]

Thanks for the awesome writeup. I'm curious if those adjustable tie rods will work on a 620? The stock 620 doesn't have those threaded adjusters on them 

[ggzilla]

Sure it does. The 620 uses adjustable tie rods. Use the adjusters designed for a 620.

 

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1210082,parttype,7432

[5t341tH]

hmm. i just did an order at rockauto for the 620 ones. I ordered the "tie rod assembly (inner and outter)" the picture they show doesnt have the lock nuts/threads on there. hopefully i ordered correctly and their pictures are just wrong

[Guest Rick-rat]

My 620 adjustment is only on the center link, no adjustment on the tie rod ends. Good write up on the 720 except for the pics of the Fram oil filter

[ggzilla]

Hmmm

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1210082,parttype,7276

[Guest Rick-rat]

The ends from the spindle to the pitman arm and the rod from the idler arm to the spindle are not adjustable. toe in or out is adjusted by the center link only, the idler arm and the pitman arm have 2 holes in them, completely different than a 720. center link connects to the idler arm and the pitman arm