ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: nicker43 on February 09, 2009, 08:10:24 PM
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Calmini recommends removing the spacer, but it looks like the Tracker sits level the way it is now.
The Tracker looks lower at the front from the factory, a line taken along the lower edge of ther bonnet/hood would be parallel with the ground.
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With the 3" lift and the 1" spacer you might be pushing the limits of your CV joints. Even with the 1.5" Diff Drop that comes with the Calmini lift.
When you say the drive shaft has failed 3 times, do you mean the CV or the one connecting to your transfer case?
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Get a rear locker and try not to hammer it with the wheels turned. I carry 2 spare axles at all times. U'll learn how to keep them intact, I also suggest that u get your axles from a junk yard or somewhere that sells the suzuki ones "there green" they're a little stronger.
Kevin
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Calmini recommends removing the spacer, but it looks like the Tracker sits level the way it is now.
The Tracker looks lower at the front from the factory, a line taken along the lower edge of ther bonnet/hood would be parallel with the ground.
+1
going to either have to invest in a pile of cv's or remove / chop up that spacer..... or a combination of trimming the spacer and dropping the diff. more but i would suggest losing the spacer, your cv angle is bad.........very bad.
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Yes....
+1 for insane CV angle.
I am running Jeff's 1.5" "ish" coil spacer...and I already don't like the angle of my CV's....although I have never broken one, or torn a boot. Just saying that's about as much punishment as the CV's will take before failing.
You've got to lower your diff or scrap that spacer. I believe this has been proven many times already, and that's why Jeff1997 offers that exact size of spacer for the front coils/struts. Maximum lift without destroying the CV joints.
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Thanks for the comments. I always thought that the CV angle was extreme, but I reasoned that if Calmini designed it to be good throughout the range of travel, then I should be okay. So what happens if this wheel comes off the ground? Instant CV death?
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Thanks for the comments. I always thought that the CV angle was extreme, but I reasoned that if Calmini designed it to be good throughout the range of travel, then I should be okay. So what happens if this wheel comes off the ground? Instant CV death?
id say probably a 80-90% chance of it either popping out or "instant cv death" haha
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That looks bigger than a 1" spacer too.
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You are running at a maximum cv angle 90% of the time with that set up. Occasionally lifting a wheel and hitting that extreme of an angle and running like that full time is a big difference. Either way I would HIGHLY recommend contacting user '37Kicker' and getting one of his Toyota CV conversion Kits. That in combination with the Anvil will be a lot stronger than stock (not much worries about spare shafts, they are running 35-39" tires with that set up ;) )
HTH,
Zig
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I agree with all the above.... I also think that looks like more then one inch spacer.
I have heard of people adding the spacer because of the Calmini springs starting to "sag", but I think I would explore new springs if that was the case.
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Sounds like I might be the one running the closest setup you have. I don't understand most the other posts saying you have maxed out since I am not having problems. I have OME 962 springs with 2" spring spacers with the Calmini 3" suspension lift, 2" body lift and the Calmini Anvil. 31x10.5 tires on 8 inch rims with 3.75" backspacing. No problems with my CV axles yet. Before the Anviil I had a right side CV axle pull out of the diff housing one time. I don't understand why you are. Are you running your swaybar? I do.
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Skitime:
It sounds like you have essentially the same setup that I do. That spacer does look larger than 1" now that I look at it. Are your CV angles as extreme as mine in the picture?
I will try to pull the spacers this week when I replace the CV. Its gonna suck because I've become used to this ride height.
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No my CVs do not look like that strong of angle.
What have you done at the top of your struts? Strut spacer? Flipped Mount? I have an OME strut which is the same length as a stock or Calmini strut with the Calmini extension. I do not have the strut mount flipped. It is in the stock position. A strut setup that is too long will cause the problem more than spring spacers. The strut limits the down travel and the spring lifts the vehicle. I have warned other about setups that let the strut become too long.
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I'm not sure what has been done to the top of the strut. I've included a picture.
I've also included a picture of the overall car.
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Acutally, now looking at it, the front does seem a bit higher than the rear.
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Houston we got a problem. There is exactly what the problem is. You got the 2 inch spacer and the strut mount flipped which allows about 3 1/2" of down travel more than normal. Put the strut mount back in the normal position. I was just advising another forum member not to do this. He did it anyway. It will only be a matter of time for him too.
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What is the normal position of the strut mount supposed to be? Does it go on top of the mounting bracket instead of below it? Since I didn't do the install, I don't know what the normal position is supposed to be. Are there any pictures?
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I think I got to back off my earlier statement that the strut mount is upside down. Sorry. I blew up your picture of the top strut mount and it appears to be installed correctly. I don't know what it wrong. The only thing I can think of now is if by any chance that is a repainted OME strut. The OME strut is 2" Longer. OME struts are yellow. Any chance the owner repainted OME struts. If they were that would explain the problem. Again I am sorry, I thought I saw a flipped strut mount but alas it was not.
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The strut is black. What color are the Calmini struts supposed to be? How much travel should there be in the strut?
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Calmini's were black but some people don't like the look of the yellow OME struts and repaint them. That is why I wondered if they were repainted. Maybe we could compare the length of the strut body to see if there is a difference. The Calmini strut is 9" from the top of the valve body to the middle of the top strut bolt. I then measure the OME strut. It measured as best as I could outside in the dark to be about 9 1/2 to 9 3/4 inches.
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Thanks for taking the measurements. I get about 9.25". Do you think this could be a problem?
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Darn your measurement is between either one of the struts. The Calmini strut that I have has this info on it:
746544
Made in Mexico
007074
The OME strut has the letters OME stamped on it.
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Okay, you're going to like this shot. I went out and jacked the car up until the front wheel came off the ground. The suspension is definitely over-extended. The bottom of the strut bracket is pressing against the CV axle! Are you sure the strut mount isn't reversed? If its not, where can I get conforming struts by Friday?
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Yes that is way over extended. I think all you need to do is remove the Calmini strut extenders. You must have OME struts or some other strut that is longer than a normal strut. It had to say what strut you have. Just remove the extender and retest that hanging suspension.
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Okay, you're going to like this shot. I went out and jacked the car up until the front wheel came off the ground. The suspension is definitely over-extended. The bottom of the strut bracket is pressing against the CV axle! Are you sure the strut mount isn't reversed? If its not, where can I get conforming struts by Friday?
:o
bad news!
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The more I look at that last picture I think that is not a Sidekick strut. The body of the Calmini strut is 12 1/2 top to bottom.
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I measured the body of the strut before and its about 13 inches. I will try removing the strut spacer. Is the Calmini strut a stock Sidekick strut? Can I get a replacement at Autozone?
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OK not to Interupt your guys trying to figger this out but if i buy the Calmini 3 inch Sus lift i wont have theses trobles eh?
I have a set of Jeffs coil spacers i was wondering if i can use them with the calmini 3 inch SUS lift.
I have not installed them yet on the Orignal Coils cause ive decided to get a calmini 3 inch lift.
Unless im gona blow Axles ???
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OK not to Interupt your guys trying to figger this out but if i buy the Calmini 3 inch Sus lift i wont have theses trobles eh?
I have a set of Jeffs coil spacers i was wondering if i can use them with the calmini 3 inch SUS lift.
I have not installed them yet on the Orignal Coils cause ive decided to get a calmini 3 inch lift.
Unless im gona blow Axles ???
No you will be fine with the spring spacer. This I think is a case of someone used a non standard strut.
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I measured the body of the strut before and its about 13 inches. I will try removing the strut spacer. Is the Calmini strut a stock Sidekick strut? Can I get a replacement at Autozone?
I stock strut is the same size as a Calmini strut so that should be fine. I have a pair of Calmini struts that I had on less than a month I could sell. The Calmini strut is a stiffer strut than a stock strut. If you are not using a heavy bumper the stock strut would be fine IMO