ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: Medford on May 12, 2010, 09:31:25 PM
-
Bought a 96 Tracker last weekend with 86K on it. Per "Wild" that is the one to get for a future turbo mod, thanks Wild. It has a lift on it that I can not identify and the guys at Trail Tough could not either, but they liked it. I will post pictures in the very near future to see if any of you guys and ID it.
The first problem I am having is alignment of the front end. Took it to the good alignment shop in Medford and they promptly found the center link to be badly worn. I could not find a new one, so I went down to Trail Tough who had a less worn used one from their lot. Put that one on and the drop arm rubs against the face of the differential cover. Gave the old one a good look and it is not straight, so either the old one was bent to fix the rub, or the new to me used one was damaged and now looks to be straight. Thought about flipping it 180, but then realized how dumb I am because the holes for the drop arms are tapered, so it only goes one way. So I have questions....
1) Does anyone know if someone makes a replacement center link?
2) Has anyone already tackled this problem and what is the fix?
3) What are my options to stabilize the steering and achieve a tight alignment?
-
It would be good to see a couple pictures. I think it'd be easier to see what's been modified and may be causing problems... My bet is that your center link idler is damaged.
-Eric
-
Is the lift red plastic? Four coil spacers and strut spacers? If it is I made it.
-
Not your lift, Jeff. Yours was my plan, but when I finally found a tracker it had one on it.
-
Not your lift, Jeff. Yours was my plan, but when I finally found a tracker it had one on it.
Too bad, I was going to say you have the best lift money can buy but you don't!! LOL
-
Okay fellas, here is the problem child with lift.
-
continued.... with the rest of the lift and a shot of where the center link rubs the front of the diff cover.
-
Looks like your center section (differential housing) is lowered and moved forward. Does the bracketry that holds it in place appear to be aftermarket?
-Eric
-
Yes it is after market, I'll look it over in the daylight tomorrow. Thanks
-
That is an old version of the discontinued Explorer Pro Comp 2.5" lift. There were fit issues with the kit being put on the Canadian build Kicks and Trackers (they had a different cross member that the Japan built). the Rear bracket of the front suspension drop would fit (with A LOT of beating and hammering) but would not fully insert to the proper location (not up high enough). The result is the rear of your control arms are dropped more than the front. This causes bad handling and in my case, pulling the drivers side CV out of the cup at full drop.
From what I can remember, the diff drop was verticle (not pushing the diff forward or backwards), just rotated a little and droped it. :-\
Zig
-
Can you get pics of the three brackets on the front diff? 2- hangers and cross member mount?
Zig
-
This is a Canadian Tracker. The cv problem must be what was addressed with the limiting strap. Here are the pictures R side, L side, and then front and rear of cross brace.
-
(http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=28412.0;attach=15764;image)
That does not look right.. I dont remember the drop bracket being bent/angled like that... Trying to find pics of the brackets on line now to compare..
On second look, the pic looks like your CV is at an angle (front to back) instead of coming streight out of the diff anf out to the hub, or is it just the angle of the pic?
Z
-
(http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/gallery/0/22_14_05_10_8_04_14_1.jpg)
(http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/gallery/0/22_14_05_10_8_04_14_0.jpg)
Here are c couple of pics of drop brackets I found on line... This is basically how I remember the pro comp brackest looking. ( a lot like the Calmini) notice that the brackets do not have the bend that rotates the diff around like yours.. Still looking for pro comp pics....
I remembered the procomp lift having streight drop brackets and the rotation of the diff being done with bolt hole placement and the cross member mount bushing...
Still searchin.
Zig
-
I think we have identified the problem, he should ship that kit down to me immediately to put on my rig. :D
Could he be running the diff drop from the Calmini kit? I know it runs at an angle in order to clear the rear cross member.
-
I have had the same problem and have solved the issue with a non rotating center
link. It uses a straight thru 1/2 inch bolt instead of the taper ball joints, and has a
dropped mount point for the tie rods, this re-aligns the them so they are horizontal
instead of angled which reduces bump steer and also gives you clearance between the
diff and the center link, and now with the center link not rocking back and forth with
the right and left steering motions, the wheels are more stable and track more true
Wild
-
Drone- your right the front diff housing is tight with the cross member with the angle. I think I would have to do some grinding if it were not angled.
Wild- is that what you did to the rig you are driving now? Could I get a picture of that next time you are out getting your hands dirty. I have bump steer and traking things that need to be corrected for sure.
-
Ya, I also went to a middle point tie rod mounting instead of the stock
position, offers less angle still
Wild
-
Just had my Barbie Jeep over in Plush, Oregon and it did great with just the lift. The thing that still needs attention is the steering. The little girl just does not like to track well and has an aggressive bump steer. I have seen some build ups of the idler arm mounts and such, did you do any of those mods along with your steering mod? This is the first issue I need to correct before I can start working on the fun stuff like lockers or something.
-
No other mods, just the stock idler
-
Do you have a part# or can you tell me what it is out of for the center link, or did you build it yourself?
-
It's built from some bushed ends and DOM, all home designed
-
From what I remember the procomp diff drop brackets looked like a home made version of the Calmini brackets - a very simple design. The kit was notorious for bump steer.
-
Wild-what is DOM?
Found part of the problem I have 4" of suspension lift which is just too much because the lift was designed for 2 1/2", but there are 1 1/2" coil spacers on top of that. I got the rears out and it made a huge difference. Had a heck of a time with the fronts and gave up till another day. Might have to abort my red neck ways and go buy the right tool.
-
DOM is heavy wall seamless steel tubing, it is "drawn over mandrel"
thus the acronym DOM
-
Copy that. I get another welding project. Love to weld, but usually over build, I'll try and control myself this time. Thanks
-
Thanks for all the imput Zig and Wild. After taking out the coil spacers I now rub on the inner fender wells. I'll get a picture or two to show you guys. I have just a couple more questions on cutting things back. my rig already has some fender flairs, but has not been cut back.
-
Thanks for all the imput Zig and Wild. After taking out the coil spacers I now rub on the inner fender wells. I'll get a picture or two to show you guys. I have just a couple more questions on cutting things back. my rig already has some fender flairs, but has not been cut back.
if you dont like those flairs, ill give ya $5 for them ;)