Posted June 8, 200519 yr comment_126717 Well it is raining just about everyday now its time take the legs off the Zand put on the new suspension so...........Does any one know if the 70 tie rod ends and ball joints are differentsize than 71, 72, 73 ?Thanks Capt Mark Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/16201-70-tie-rods-ball-joints/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 8, 200519 yr comment_126718 Yes, they are. From what I've heard they are almost impossible to find anymore. It has been discussed somewhere on this website (several times) recentlyEDIT: It is the diameter of the posts on the Ball-joints and Tie-rod ends that are smaller. This means that the corresponding holes in the steering knuckles are smaller (on the 70 versions) than on the 71-73 versions.One way or another, the tie-rods, ball joints and steering knuckles all need to match. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/16201-70-tie-rods-ball-joints/#findComment-126718 Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 8, 200519 yr Author comment_126784 Thanks again Carl, that is what I suspected. Capt Mark Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/16201-70-tie-rods-ball-joints/#findComment-126784 Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 8, 200519 yr comment_126785 Capt Mark something you might want to check.Looking at the balljoints from my own 1970 car it seems to only be the bigger balljoints that are different ( the ones that attach directly to the bottom of the main strut. The steering tie rod joints seem to be the same for 1970 and later years.Hope it helpsAndrew Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/16201-70-tie-rods-ball-joints/#findComment-126785 Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 8, 200519 yr comment_126795 I just went through my suspension and put all new pieces on my 2/71 Z. I found that Spicer makes a ball joint that is smooth on the lower (ground) side vs. the Datsun ball joint that has a spring in it. I went with the Spicer joint because of a 'cleaner' look. It sorta looks like the steering rod ends. Did I make a mistake? Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/16201-70-tie-rods-ball-joints/#findComment-126795 Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 8, 200519 yr comment_126802 Capt Mark something you might want to check.Looking at the balljoints from my own 1970 car it seems to only be the bigger balljoints that are different ( the ones that attach directly to the bottom of the main strut. The steering tie rod joints seem to be the same for 1970 and later years.Hope it helpsAndrewThe ball joint are the same but the tie rod ends are smaller on the 70 240. You can either ream out the tapper to fit the later tie rod ends or replace the steering knuckles with the later version. If you go the route of replacing the steering knuckles, you may consider replacing them with the quicker steering (shorter), steering knuckles.....provides you with a much nicer steering responce. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/16201-70-tie-rods-ball-joints/#findComment-126802 Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 8, 200519 yr comment_126814 Capt Mark something you might want to check.Looking at the balljoints from my own 1970 car it seems to only be the bigger balljoints that are different ( the ones that attach directly to the bottom of the main strut. The steering tie rod joints seem to be the same for 1970 and later years.Not disputing what you found on your car, Andrew; but there are different tie-rod ends for 1970 Z's. This can be verified in the Nissan microfiche. Some owners when faced with replacing tie-rods but not wanting to replace steering knuckles and ball joints used a tapered reamer to enlarge the hole in the front of the steering knuckles to accept the later tie-rods. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/16201-70-tie-rods-ball-joints/#findComment-126814 Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 8, 200519 yr comment_126824 Not disputing what you found on your car, Andrew; but there are different tie-rod ends for 1970 Z's. This can be verified in the Nissan microfiche. Some owners when faced with replacing tie-rods but not wanting to replace steering knuckles and ball joints used a tapered reamer to enlarge the hole in the front of the steering knuckles to accept the later tie-rods. Carl, I think I hear an echo! Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/16201-70-tie-rods-ball-joints/#findComment-126824 Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 8, 200519 yr comment_126826 Not disputing what you found on your car, Andrew; but there are different tie-rod ends for 1970 Z's. This can be verified in the Nissan microfiche. Some owners when faced with replacing tie-rods but not wanting to replace steering knuckles and ball joints used a tapered reamer to enlarge the hole in the front of the steering knuckles to accept the later tie-rods.Carl/240zxI am no authority on this and that is why I suggested Capt Mark should check his car. Not being the original owner of my car I can't vouch for it when it was new, but it did seem that the tie rod ball joints were the original nissan ones, that were as totally worn out as the bigger strut ball joints which were definitely the originals.Andrew Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/16201-70-tie-rods-ball-joints/#findComment-126826 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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