The stock steering on the Xterra is a weak spot when a suspension lift is installed. To achieve lift, the front suspension is raised by adjusting the control arms downward. This increases the angle of the tie rods and places extra force on the stock center link. This force causes the center link to rotate and wear the idler pivot prematurely as shown in this Stress Animation

CALMINI's new Steering System for the Xterra solves this problem in a simple, bulletproof fashion. In stock form, the tie rods push directly on the center link. With CALMINI's steering system, the tie rods connect directly to the idler and pitman arms and the center link simply keeps the two arms in phase.

The CALMINI Steering System kit includes:

• Idler Arm
• Idler Arm Brace
• Pitman Arm
• Tie Rod Adjusters(2)
• Center Link
• Center Link End Joints

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The parts in the steering system are massive. They are over-engineered and should easily outlast the Xterra itself.

NOTE: The Idler and Pitman arms in this review are machined pieces. The final arms will be forged 4140 alloy (similar to the image above).

On the right you can compare the CALMINI pitman arm to the stock unit. Notice the stock center link mounts to the end of the Pitman Arm.

The Idler Arm assembly dwarfs the stock parts it replaces. It uses the stock pivot but is supported by a modified CALMINI idler arm brace in double shear fashion. The idler rides on huge bronze bushings.

The center link is constructed of 1.125" diameter 0.25" wall DOM tubing. The ends are Moog 11/16" tie rod ends, and should be easily replacable at an auto parts store if damaged . They feature a zerk fitting for easy greasing.

Due to the new design, longer tie rod adjusters are required. These are 1.5" longer than stock and made of 4130 alloy. Like everything else, they are huge.

The installation starts by removing the entire stock steering linkage. To make things easy later on, remove the tie rod ends from the steering knuckles and from the center link. The center link can be left attached to the idler arm and pitman arm, and can be removed as 3 parts still connected.

The pitman arm shaft is keyed every 90 degrees. Before removing the pitman arm, line up the steering wheel so the wheels are facing forward and mark the shaft at the forward key.

Remove the nut from the pitman arm shaft and using a puller, remove the stock pitman arm.

Line up the new pitman arm with the mark you made, and secure it with the stock nut.

On the passenger side of the frame, remove the idler arm mounting shaft and any idler arm brace you may have installed. Remove any steering stabilizers that may be installed.

Place the bronze bushings in the idler arm and slide the idler arm over the stock idler arm shaft. Mount the idler arm and shaft to the idler arm brace.

Mount the complete idler arm and brace assembly to the frame with the 3 supplied bolts washers and nuts.

The center link comes pre-assembled at the correct length. Simply slide each end joint of the center link upward into the forward holes on the idler and pitman, and tighten the castle nuts. Install cotter pins on each nut.

Assemble each tie rod using the new adjusters and stock tie rod ends. The new tie rod length is longer than stock, so you need to start with a predetermined length of 5 inches between the lock nuts. Install the tie rods to the rear holes in the idler and pitman and to the steering knuckles. Tighten the nuts and install the cotter pins.

You can now adjust the toe in of the vehicle enough to get to an alignment shop.

Once it's aligned, say "Goodbye" to all your steering woes.

It works. Plain and simple.

My Xterra has worn out 4 center links in the last 2 years, broken one Moog idler arm, and broken a stock idler arm shaft. Added up, that's almost $800 worth of parts. For almost half that price, this system could have been on my Xterra, but it wasn't available until now.

Now that it's here, there is no reason not to have one if you have a suspension lift. If you have a lift, and drive off highway, you will wear out the stock center link and/or the idler arm bushings. When they wear out, the slop they create can lead to broken or bent tie rods.

So far the system has over 3000 miles on it and I have had no problems. Steering response is exact, and is feels even more precise than stock. Bump steer is reduced and I no longer have a need for a steering stabilizer. The Xterra goes where I point it, which is a nice change from the vague wandering it has done since I lifted it.

Off-highway travels have included Hell's Revenge, Poison Spider Mesa and Golden Spike in Moab, and Black Bear, Poughkeepsie Gulch, Pearl Pass and Italian Creek Road in Colorado. All of those trails have caused problems in the past. I broke a Moog idler arm on Golden Spike in March of 2002, and wore out a brand new stock center link in a week during GOX 2001.

I have yet to find any problems with the system, and recommend it fully.

The system directly addresses the problem of the stock center link design instead of just trying to beef up existing components. It is bulletproof and should last longer than the Xterra. If you have a suspension lift on you Xterra (or Frontier), and are experiencing worn center links and idler arm bushings, this is your solution.