FYI....

Found indentical cracks located in the same spot on both my lower control arms. They cracked in front of the lower shock mount brackets. Right in front of the outer weld at the bracket, and it extends down the side of the control arm.

I'm going to have them reinforced and welded back up good for the next trail run.

Mike

This has been observed on several other Xterras....

The dealer wanted $640 for the new pair. Picked up a pair off a wreck for $190 and I'm in the process of refurbing them. Already pressed in the new bushings, and wire wheeled to bare metal. They are in great shape. Now I'll have a buddy weld reinforcement pieces to overcome these issues. Then spray them with a can of bed liner spray. Just be sure to salvage the ball joints off your cracked ones and reinstall on the refurbs. You can't get the ball joints from the dealer without buying the whole unit(s). Put 4 spot welds on the nut to keep it from backing off the ball joint threads.

The LCA ball joints are now available aftermarket. Might have to search to find the post in here.

Awesome. But I looked, but not well enough I guess. Can you reply with the link please.

Many thanks.

Napa had them listed, look up an 01 Frontier.
However, word is they're on serious backorder, possibly discontinued.

I just checked with Napa. They say I gotta get the whole LCA assembly. That sucks. Thanks for the tip Brent. Any other thoughts?

Did they not even list the part, or was it not available? Part number is NCP 2601596 at napaonline.com

Suggestions? You've already got it covered with the junkyard arms...

Come to find out, the Napa guy called me back saying that he could only get the whole LCA. Well, I called another Napa and got to the bottom. You right, you can buy just the ball joint. I think he was just trying to get that $650 sale out of me. I pick them up Thursday and only pay $110 for the pair.

Thanks Brent.

Do post when and if you actually get them. As I understand they'll end up back-ordered.

Cool. Glad you found them, altough in the hand will be the final test. Don't buy a new LCA, you can find plenty in the graveyard for cheap.

I have one in my hot little hands as I speak. The other is coming in early next week. Napa part # 260-1596, as Brent wrote earlier. I'm so happy. So $111.00 for the balljoints, $190.00 for the used LCA's. I'm still at half the price for the new LCA's! All I have to do now is have gussetts welded at the shock mounts. Might also have additional flat stock welded on the sides and maybe the tops. I'll slip the welder(friend/pipe fitter) a 100 bucks. I'm still ahead of the game. Plus these will now be beefier than any new LCA. Thanks for the help guys. Persistance pays!!!!!!!

What the F&$K!!!!!!!!!!
Does this crap go in my gas tank?
HEE HEE!