ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara, Chevy Tracker (Gen. 2 Platform) 1999-2005 => Topic started by: 4D-SPUDS on September 01, 2006, 01:39:46 PM
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I just installed a Calmini 2.5" Suspension kit on my 2003 Tracker. Everything is installed however I have quite a bit of positive camber on the front wheels. Calmini said that I required the recomended rims with -1" Backspacing. Can anyone recommend a model of rim that fits this specification (local tire shop can't find anything)? Do I require a custom rim to fit this kit? Has anyone who has installed this kit found that they had an incorrect camber with stock rims and tires or have I been sent incorrect parts?
Thanks
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i installed a calmini 2.5 lift on my 99 tracker several years ago, and also had camber issues. i dont see what wheelspacing or tire size has to do with camber problems. calmini told me that i made a mistake during installation, correct my mistake and my camber problems would go away. didnt happen. i hear offset camber bolts can make a small adjustment, i went to an alignment shop and they ovaled the mounting holes in the struts to correct the problem.
regards, rob
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Thanks for your input, I guess this is what I will have to do fix this issue or burn through tires weekly. I thought this Calmini kit was supposed to be pre-engineered, I guess it is not. If anyone else has any other ideas please let me know. I will post pictures of the install to show it is correct and to show the extreme camber.
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Don't tell me this I just ordered the 2.5" Calmini kit.
What size tires are you running?
I am planning on some 30/9.5 15's and wouldn't mind finding some replacement rims to go with them. I also haven't had any luck finding out where the best place to order these would be. Any Ideas anyone??
Good luck with your camber problem, I hope we all get it taken care of.
Bill
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Calmini has suggested that I run 235/75/R15 tires with 15 x 7, -1" Offset rims. I trial mounted this wheelset and it has not corrected the camber problem. Good luck with your kit, it is not too difficult to install but takes some patience. Make sure you have an extra CV axle clip before you start. Cause when you pull the CV from the Front Diff it has a tendancy to break and it is not always easy to get this $2.50 part on the weekend with your vehicle in pieces. Also, the Calmini instructions leave much to be desired. Biggest challenge was installing CV back into Front Diff and wheel spindle with new larger coil spring (not a mm to spare). I will post my pictures later today.
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I just installed this lift yesterday and had the same camber issue. I took it to the alignment shop today and they slotted the upper and lower strut holes.....problem solved for $38. I have perfect camber and toe-in with the stock wheels and tires. Calmini is on crack thinking that an offset rim will cure this. ::)
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Extra off set on the rims puts more leverage on the spring, thus compressing the spring more - result is slightly less ride height and the arms sit flatter. The arms have been engineered with the correct length for 2.5" of lift and no more. If for example you only got 1.5" of lift you would have heaps of negative camber ( eg: / \ ).
My experience with these kits is that the springs "settle" a bit after they have been run off road for a good work out - get your alignment checked after you have flexed your rig for at least a full days off roading.
Bet you got more than 2.5" of lift to ;). Probably more like 3.5 - 4" ( and there lies the problem ::) )
ZeusZuki 8)
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I used 1.5" spacers with the stock springs so there is no settleing involved. If offset rims would correct your caster then they would have to create enough leverage to set the arms back to the stock position which would mean there would be no lift at all.
Bottom line is offset rims will not correct the castor problems when installing lifts on these rigs. They will only cause negative effects like bump steer.
Castor must be corrected where the strut mounts to the knuckle.
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How true Jeff|removethispart|@the quadshop,
One other point of interest - the stock springs seem to be made for fitment into the V6 GV's ( more weight ).
I presume you are fitting them to the 1600 GV's - right?
kj - check the amount of lift you "actually" got - you may have gained heaps - the camber can be corrected with a bit of fidling as jeff mentioned.
We run rims for SJ's over here and they have a lot more off set than Kicks / Gv's.
ZeusZuki 8)
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it seams  that the cumber isue is knowen now to all of usÂÂ
as far as i can think -they ment that the lift will be installed on the v6 engine with  havy - duty bumper and allot of extra weight on the front so cant blame them !
the  camber bolts are the best solution as i can tell -and do this after "bones strech"- so  everithing siits in place .
indid more than 2.5"lift
did you guys use this thing ?
if so ,please put some pics so  i'll understand it's use  -better
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LOL Try this thread:
http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=12868.0 :)
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How true Jeff|removethispart|@the quadshop,
One other point of interest - the stock springs seem to be made for fitment into the V6 GV's ( more weight ).
I presume you are fitting them to the 1600 GV's - right?
kj - check the amount of lift you "actually" got - you may have gained heaps - the camber can be corrected with a bit of fidling as jeff mentioned.
We run rims for SJ's over here and they have a lot more off set than Kicks / Gv's.
ZeusZuki 8)
Mine is a V6, we don't have 1600 GV's in the US. I actually got 2" of lift from the 1.5" front spacers. We can't run SJ rims on our GV's, they will not clear the calipers.
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what kind of "alignment shop" are you guys using? I don't really trust NTB
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My cousin manages a collision center, they have a nice computer alignment rack. They slotted out my strut holes and got my camber and toe perfect.
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it seams  that the cumber isue is knowen now to all of usÂÂ
as far as i can think -they ment that the lift will be installed on the v6 engine with  havy - duty bumper and allot of extra weight on the front so cant blame them !
Not trying to bash anyone but I'm curious as to how long you have been dealing with Calmini? Have you ever purchased or tried to purchase anything "from them"? And if they meant for their lift to be installed on V6, steel bumper with winch and off set wheel equiped vehicles it should say that on their site. (Or maybe I missed something?)
When I start hearing good things about their service again they WILL be getting my money. Until then I'll keep spending my money where I've been spending it buying their (CALMINI) products through venders ;D. Damn I'm such a hypocrit ::) or am I.....
sherifon;
GV1600 told you that part (blue brake thingy) was in his kit also but he had no use for it since he has ABS but CALMINI told you thats not part of their kit. ::)
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Thanks for all your input. Overall, I feel let down by the Calmini kit. While it is built from quality materials (front struts are questionable), its instructions are lacking, and it does not maintain track width and alignment. According to Calmini it actually requires wheels with a -1" offset from factory and tires of a certain size to achieve alignment. In reality it does require spacing of wheels and altering of strut bolt holes even after settling and a heavy articulation of new coil springs. They should just let this be known upfront and/or provide wheel spacers with kit, pre-grind strut bolt holes or sell wheels that fit there specific requirement for alignment.
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Here are some pics as promised these photos have stock wheels and tires on them, because I have yet to find a wheel that will clear calipers and provide -1" offset. The Camber issue is difficult to see in this photo, it is there however. Still no straight answer from Calmini on wheel specs, they say this is first time they have heard about the camber issue, but judging from others here at zukiworld there are others who have questioned them. Calmini is very confident their kit is correct, maybe some parts (coil springs, Control arms?) were mixed in wrong boxes?
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Still no straight answer from Calmini on wheel specs, they say this is first time they have heard about the camber issue,
WOW! ::)
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first off all congratioalations ;D
i also have the tire rub marks on the a arm
seems that the kit realy neads a 1" spacer
and the camber is well seen from the first pic - i have the same problem.
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Update (or a warning...) for those thinking of purchasing or installing the kit;
I installed this kit on my Grand Vitara and ran into the same issues, and more.....Here's my experience.
Minutes after I installed the kit I took it for a test drive down the block and immediately heard a grinding noise from under the car. Upon further inspection I found that the driveshaft flange at the front diff was rubbing against the exhaust pipe. This happened because the kit contains a new front diff mount that rotates the front diff forward to lower the axles. When I called Calmini the next day they told me to "just drive it for a while and let the springs settle, it will stop"
Not wanting to wait for the flange to rub a hole in the exhaust I modified the exhaust pipe to remedy the problem. The next day I had JustTires throw on some Goodyear Fortera TripleTreds 245/70R16. I had them do the alignment while they were at it and the camber was at roughly 1 to 1.5 degrees.
Everything seemed OK after that until about 6 months later when the front passenger wheel bearing grenaded on me. As I was pulling off the wheel to inspect the bearing I noticed the inside 3" of my brand new tires were bald. I replaced the bearings and decided to hold off on the tires until figured out what was up. Two months later the new bearings grenaded again. (my fault actually since I only changed the bearings, and not the galled bearing race) I took my angle meter and a stright edge to the front wheels on a level surface and discovered that the front end had "settled" to a nice 4.5 degree camber on the passenger side. The driver was only 3.5 degrees. Since there are no provisions to adjust camber from the factory I did some research and found some camber adjustment bolts that replace the factory strut to spindle bolts. (see link below) with the adjustment now set correctly everything seems to be ok again.
Other little annoyances:
:( the springs are very stiff, and even after break in they ride stiff. The Calmini guy told me they would soften up with time, and they never did. When I asked him about it again he said "the kit was designed for offroad use, and that's why they are stiff" I say B.S.! I've been wheeling offroad for over 15 years now at places like the Rubicon and the Hammers ,(Johnson Valley) and I've never had a rig ride this rough....ever. (for comparison my trail rig is a toyota truck/buggy and has had coil overs, leaf springs with Bilstiens, and FOX air shocks)
:( The supension squeaks like a mother *|removethispart|@#&%. Make sure you grease the snot out of the bushings before installation.
The Bottom line:
The build quality on the kit is very nice (welds, powdercoating, etc) and all in all it performs well offroad. But in my opinion Calmini could of done a better job of selecting a better spring rate for the fronts, and of educating the consumers on the camber issue. Calmini should include the Fastcam bolts in the kit as well as some bushing grease. (are you guys listening?)
If you are going to install one of these kits I recommend the following:
Go out and order some Fastcam bolts from Ingalls engineering. Re-adjust the front end again after a few good wheeling trips. I recommend part # 81250.
http://www.ingallseng.com/trucks/suzuki4x4.html (http://www.ingallseng.com/trucks/suzuki4x4.html)
Tire Rack carries the FastCam Bolts online.
In addition to the Fastcam bolts get yourself some formula 5 prelube from Energy Suspension (part # 90.11110) Make sure you lube every bushing on the control arms.
http://www.energysuspensionxd.com/catalog/powerb_grea.html (http://www.energysuspensionxd.com/catalog/powerb_grea.html)
If you do these two things you'll be OK (except for the stiff spring rate...)