Overhauling front suspension and steering

[goose]

I'm considering an overhaul of the bushings and tie rod ends of my 97 Max SE.

Questions:- If I disconnect the steering rack, will it slide forward to give access to the pinion adjust nut? If I give myself enough space, will regular wrenches work to adjust it?

Any tips on working in that cramped area (I've got mf'n ABS)?

Is it also worth changing the inner&outer tie rod ends, and CV boots? (Car has 123k and I want to get another 100k)

TIA, big time.

Dave
Modified by goose at 10:36 PM 9/1/2004

[InsanityInc]

I highly recommend energy suspension bushings. They're pretty cheap, and are amazing compared to stock.

[goose]

I actually have the set of Energy bushings ready to go. But that will be more work and I won't get new ball joints, so I may end up just getting new control arms.

Dave

[s13sr20chris]

if the tie rods have play or the cv boots are cracked then replace away. it prob is not worth messing with otherwise. i have never adjusted the steering on a max and i am a dealer tech. we dont mess with that because all of our special tools are missing. it is prob beyond your reach as i would feel sketchy doing it myself.

[goose]

Well I'm having a real good independent shop look at it on Wed, and I've been leaning heavily toward doing the new CV boots if they pop off any joints. Tie rods will replaced only if necessary since they are easy to do.

I've ordered some 68k old control arms from a junkyard ($35/ea), and I'm going to press in the ES bushings so if I choose to replace them they are ready.

I talked to my regular tire store guy about the rack adjustment and he'd never heard of it, but was very curious. He says this info could be really helpful for him (Altimas, Maximas, and Pathfinders) and he's looking into it.

The lock nut just looks like a regular nut, but I can't see the adjustment nut inside to know if any of my tools will fit it. The only special knowledge I've heard about is to adjust in very small increments.

Dave