ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: kledi on January 26, 2008, 10:45:40 AM
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Hello,
I received yesterday the calmini 5" kit and this morning started installing the pieces. Everything goes fine except the front driveshaft seems to be too angled. Also, the front axle seems to be a little more forward than it was before, and the pinion angle also appears to have changed.
I will align the sammy on Monday. Would I need to change the caster angle?
thank you,
kledi
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What vehicile are you putting it on? Sammy, Trackick?
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:) Forgot to mention... 1993 Samurai
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Finished the job today. Everything looks fine except:
The steering is harder than it used to be. Is this normal?
I have a strong vibration especially in 2nd gear between 2000-2800RPM when driving 4x2. The angle of the rear driveshaft doesn't seem to have changed by much. Haven't tried yet 4x4 and I am worried about the angle of the front driveshaft. Any suggestions?
Would anyone have any recommendations on how to adapt some front sway bar links (possibly quick release so I can disconnect when offroad)?
The suspension is very stiff now? Will it get any softer with time?
Thank you
btw... a pic after the install...
(http://kledi.com/zuk1.jpg)
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installed mine 5 years ago. love it it will soften up some . take it out and flex it as much as you can. on the vibration , make sure your rear shaft in lined up , I meen the marks on the end of the splines . the front angle has never been a problem for me . (http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/2581000-2581999/2581996_7_full.jpg)
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Thank you Ross. I didn't even remove the rear driveshaft while installing, so Im pretty sure it;s not an alignment problem. Did you use any shims on either axle?
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no shims. you might check the rear driveline anyway. someone else might have put it together wrong . when its lifted it will amplifyany slight vibration
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could it be something wrong in the tranny as this happens only in 2nd gear?
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Finished the job today. Everything looks fine except:
The steering is harder than it used to be. Is this normal?
Yes, steering drag link angle has increased, making turning harder. I high-steer will make it all nice-nice again.
I have a strong vibration especially in 2nd gear between 2000-2800RPM when driving 4x2.
Rear driveshaft is at an increased angle, and since you prolly got old u-joints, the needles aren't riding where they used to be (they usually get all crusty after a time), and it can cause vibes usually at certain speeds. Install new u-joints and check back.
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Yes, steering drag link angle has increased, making turning harder. I high-steer will make it all nice-nice again.
I am looking at high steer as a near future upgrade. Could you please recommend one of the possible options? I am looking at Calmini or Sky Mfg.
Also, I've been reading that some mercedes sel450 steering arms after enlarging/drilling some holes will do the job. Would you know if the steering arms are all I need? Do I need to replace the drag link?
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go to a drop pitman arm for now will help or a z-link
trail-tough has the high steer for 279.00
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kledi i have the same lift. if the front axle seems to be to far foward you put the leefsprings on wrong. you just have to flip them around(spin the front leef 180 around and rebolt). it will also fix your pinion angle problem. i made that mistake when i first put my lift on but i mahe mine a spring over with 1 inch blocks.
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Oh man... that sucks...
I am pretty sure that on the installation instructions it said that was the right way to do it(i precisely remember that it said the double wrapped side was front - will check again tomorrow with the instructions), although it does seem a little forward. Calmini provided 2 spacers for a total of 1.75" of spacers just for the front axle so I figured that was normal.
Can you confirm over these 2 pics I have for now?
(http://kledi.com/zuk2.JPG)
(http://kledi.com/driveline_angle.jpg)
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cant really confirm on the pics but you will know if the spring is backwards. my pinion angle was either streight or a little down and the tires were a little off center from the fender. when i spun the front springs arount it fixed the problem completely. if the axle seems to far forward that is probably the issue.
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I am confused now. Calmini says:
Per our instructions, the military wrap will always go to the front,
on both the front and rear spring. If the spring had been installed
incorrectly, the front end would not be able to be securely re-assembled.
and the front axle does seem to be a little forward. The day I completed the install the pinion angle seemed almost straight or even a little down depending on how you'd look at it, but wouldn't the car lower a little after proper settling?
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Im not to familear with the calmini system, could it be the shackle reverse, the front shackle could be to long, there for pushing the pinion down, axel shim?
Amilla
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Exactly. It's a shackle reverse that lifts the vehichle by 2" and 3" springs. How does that affect?
thank you.
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The front shackles too long and it pushes the back of the spring towards the ground, which would shove your pinion down towards the ground.
Could be a possibilty
Amilla
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its a SHACKLE REVERSE that means the front shackles are now at the rear of the front springs
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I know its a shackle reverse, meaning the shackles are on the back of the spring, on the pinion side... If it has to long of a shackle, as it not matching the geometry of the spring hanger. Wouldn't it push the rear of the spring down? And wouldn't that cause the angle of the pinion to drop towards the ground?
My bros Toyota has this problem, he put long shackles in the front and it pushed his pinion down...he had to get Axel shims.
Sorry for all the confusion and misunderstanding.
Amilla
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I understand what the shackle reverse did. I was asking if it should affect the pinion angle.
After thorough checking of the u-joints, it appears that all 6 of them are in perfect condition. Even the pinion bearings that calmini pointed at are just fine.
The vibration (when in 4x2) still goes on. All I could do was grease the driveshafts.
Has anyone who is running a calmini 5" lift experienced any vibrations with the stock driveshaft? A friend of mine who runs a shop that services mainly land rovers and toyotas says I need a CV driveshaft. Is there any other possible fix?
thank you