Although
people have used either one on any car; Nissan says they
are not interchangeable. Of course they don't mention how
you would ever figure out which rod was which. We are
just providing this information so you know what is
"supposed" to be used. The late style tie rod ends and
side rods have a slightly wider receiving groove for the
boot to "snap" into. Earlier boots used a metal retaining
clip while the later boots used a simple rubber o-ring.
However; Nissan says the early type boot is appropriate
for ALL of the center tie rods. This however contradicts
what I have SEEN on all the 68 and later center tie rods;
they ALL have the larger boot.
2014 NOTE: As part of Nissan's hallucinating parts price
adjustment program; the later boots are now $172 EACH. I
kid you not. We have some we have been able to purchase
at an "unadjusted" price and will be selling them at that
price until we run out. (about $38 per). I'm guessing
that no one caught the change in design and made the
update in the parts book which is normal as the errors in
the "official" book are countless.
The
"early" style rod and boot dates back to at least 1960;
possibly earlier. The "later" style was introduced with
the 1968 roadsters. Both types share the same diameter
receiving area for the grease boot. The shape of the
groove on the rod end for the boot to grab has a slightly
different shape on the newer rods.
Maybe
the redesign was to hold more grease? I'm sure the old
sedan these originally came on didn't see quite the
spirited driving the roadsters do. The ball joint boots
were redesigned at the same time; to share this bubble
type seal although in different sizes.
The
early rods seem to have the raised Nissan Logo closer to
the joint end of the rod. The later type's logo is
farther away on the part that curves downward.
I
have found things to be somewhat inconsistent with Nissan
parts so the above may not be a valid point. As to
whether the much more economical "old style" boot will
work as well and protect the joint as well on later rods
I cannot say.
Just
putting the info out; as I used to do 40 years ago while
I sat on the fender of some old beater talking to
visitors; releasing my vast knowledge...or lack thereof!
Dann
