My upper contol arm snapped in half...

rfrench102 · 11-23-2004, 07:07 PM

Yup... Snapped apart right next to the ball joint. Contacted
CST and they said they have never heard of this problem. They think the arm was bad from the factory... I'm not so sure about that. Anyway, the installer is going to install a new one at no charge.

Anyone else hear of broken control arms on Titans?

honeykeeper · 11-24-2004, 10:38 AM

You been doing some serious off-roading lately?????

pagerdaddy · 11-24-2004, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfrench102

Anyone else hear of broken control arms on Titans?

I like the looks of your truck, rfrench.

But you know the old saying, "If you want to play, you
gotta pay!"

mikegronholz · 11-24-2004, 02:59 PM

More than likely it was a combination of items ....

IFS trucks have a tendency to let the wheels bow in and out when in 4wd. My bet is a combination of this, plus bad steel (or bad part), and all the death stares Ricky has recieved (hey, the upper control arm is eye level to most cars) ... there was just a freak breakage.

I was actually working on this before your snappage, but I currently have a stiffening design for the upper and lower control arms in CAD trying to make everything strong.

rfrench102 · 11-24-2004, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikegronholz

More than likely it was a combination of items ....

IFS trucks have a tendency to let the wheels bow in and out when in 4wd. My bet is a combination of this, plus bad steel (or bad part), and all the death stares Ricky has recieved (hey, the upper control arm is eye level to most cars) ... there was just a freak breakage.

I was actually working on this before your snappage, but I currently have a stiffening design for the upper and lower control arms in CAD trying to make everything strong.

Mike, I'll be your first customer!

I haven't done any HEAVY off roading at all. Nothing that would cause damage. I have a DRZ400 for the rough stuff.

smoothTitan · 11-24-2004, 10:13 PM

anything to do with the lift, i was thinking about a lift pretty soon.

rfrench102 · 11-24-2004, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothTitan

anything to do with the lift, i was thinking about a lift pretty soon.

Not that I or CST knows about. But then again, I don't hear alot about other Titans breaking control arms. I really don't know what to think.

pagerdaddy · 11-24-2004, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfrench102

I haven't done any HEAVY off roading at all. Nothing that would cause damage. I have a DRZ400 for the rough stuff.

My last bike before the Rhino was an 03 DRZ400S. Great trail bike.

Steve

pciley · 11-25-2004, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pagerdaddy

I like the looks of your truck, rfrench.

But you know the old saying, "If you want to play, you
gotta pay!"

I like the looks of it too, but judging by the photo, he did pay $$

alot!
Very nice truck! I am gonna wait and get the long-travel version for my 2wd. Have to keep going faster in sand than you so I don't get stuck.

pagerdaddy · 11-25-2004, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pciley

Have to keep going faster in sand than you so I don't get stuck.

Paul, the last time I was looking at Frontiers (last one before Titan)
a dealer had some that were 2 wheel drive, but were the height of
the 4X4's. They called them "desert runners". They claimed that 4
wheel drive didn't give you much advantage in sand. Was there any
truth to this, or just some marketing stunt?

rfrench102 · 11-25-2004, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pagerdaddy

Paul, the last time I was looking at Frontiers (last one before Titan)
a dealer had some that were 2 wheel drive, but were the height of
the 4X4's. They called them "desert runners". They claimed that 4
wheel drive didn't give you much advantage in sand. Was there any
truth to this, or just some marketing stunt?

No advandage... unless you get stuck. The fastest baja'ers
are the bikes and 2wd buggys. I've just always liked 4x4's the best.

rfrench102 · 11-30-2004, 02:11 PM

Day number 8 and still waiting for Nissan to get me a upper arm. They seem to be very slow at getting parts.

moore101 · 11-30-2004, 06:10 PM

no kidding I have been waiting 1.5 months for a hood latch! I can't open the hood or it won't close again....

pciley · 11-30-2004, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pagerdaddy

Paul, the last time I was looking at Frontiers (last one before Titan)
a dealer had some that were 2 wheel drive, but were the height of
the 4X4's. They called them "desert runners". They claimed that 4
wheel drive didn't give you much advantage in sand. Was there any
truth to this, or just some marketing stunt?

Have to agree with the post following yours.
With the right tires and a locker, 2wd is fine.
Actually, if you are going to go "baja" style with the suspension and get ALOT of travel in the front, like the special CST Long Travel kit ($4500 for front only) then it looks like it would be BETTER to have 2wd. Otherwise you would have to get custom front drive shafts for the 4wd model up front and with that kind of travel they would still pop out and the angles would be horrendous and kill your front diff.

For the weight of the truck though, not much traction is had in the rear. When I air down to 15 lbs all the way around, I HAVENT got stock a single time yet. But I try to drive smart. I only stop when I absolutely have to and make sure that I let the truck roll to a stop on its own and try to keep it parked going down hill for an easy start. Easing on the gas helps get going, but some spin is inevitable in sand with stock tires.

I found I get the best traction with just one quad in the back. The added weight helps the rear push the truck. Otherwise, the front just wants to plow in and the rear spins.

So far I have stayed out of the deep stuff and I am getting anxious. Tires and a lift are a must for 2wd in sand though.

pciley · 11-30-2004, 11:30 PM

I used to work at San Luis Nissan BMW up in San Luis Obispo, CA. They told us the Desert Runners were just a different suspension package, like getting a "TRD" V6 2wd Tacoma. The Desert Runners we had were all V6s, automatics, had the extended cab, etc. But you could not get the suspension option in 4wd. The Desert Runners were intended for hard pack, like Ocotillo Wells. Glamis I would still go with a 4x4 unless you are going big on the lift.

Have you guys noticed most of the crazy lifted Titans are 2wd? ProComp has a 2wd truck, So Cal SuperTrucks has a 2wd, and of course, CST.. they have a couple of 2wd. One with full bed cage, barred up and everything with a dual spare carrier. Very nice. 2wd with almost $15k into the suspension and bed cage.