ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: Digger on August 23, 2005, 12:20:23 PM
-
Well, I recently swapped on a set of OME struts, with my already installed 1-1/2" coil spacers and I flipped the upper strut mounts back to stock location(since the OME struts are longer). After the install, I discovered my camber was way off, looked like this: /----\, so I loosened the bolts, drove in camber wedges and tightened them back up. This was how they were set up before I got the Tracker, with camber wedges and the upper spindle bolt was 3 sizes smaller than stock to give it some movement. I was able to get it perfect with this setup, but the left side ejected the camber wedge the first time I went off road and ended up allowing the spindle to shift in until I again had camber looking like this: /----\. I loosened the bolts on the left side again, positioned them correctly and really cranked them down tight(without the wedge since I lost it in the woods). The very next trip into the woods(sunday) and it shifted again. Needless to say, this is pissing me off! Anyway, to fix it this time, I decided to just get another bolt the right size instead of smaller so it wont have any movement. I replaced the upper smaller bolt with the full sized one, so both upper and lower spindle strut bolts are the full size 17mm ones. Even if these work loose, the spindle shouldn't be able to shift unless a bolt comes out completely. I have heard of people "ovalizing" the upper spindle bolt holes in the strut to allow camber adjustment, but how can this stay in place any better than what I had? It seems the only true way to address this would be the camber bolts if needed. It seems as if the OME struts are already designed to address the camber issue of 1-1/2" to 2-1/2" of front spring lift because it's really close with just straight bolts and no adjustment...
-
grab the camber bolts....had a similar prob on a lowered jetta of mine I gave up and got the proper bolts and wala fixed....
-
Actually it doesn't look like I need them. I have yet to go to the alignment shop, but it looks really close now...
-
It seems as if the OME struts are already designed to address the camber issue of 1-1/2" to 2-1/2" of front spring lift because it's really close with just straight bolts and no adjustment...
Yeah, I told you that before :P. If you compare the mounts the OME ones are different to correct for the 1 1/2" of lift you get with the OME lift. The extra inch won't make too much difference.
-
:P ::)
Yeah, yeah... I guess I had to find out for myself! :P ::)
-
Hi Digger.
When I did a cheap lift on my old Kick I put in 40mm coil spacers up front and 50mm out back. Used different springs and ended up with 4" of suspension lift. To correct the camber I welded up the standard ball joint holes and redrilled them out another 18mm ( welded some flat bar to the ends to give me more steel to drill into ). I was using standard struts though so you need to experiment a little :).
If you can get a spare set of arms then use them to experiment with ;).
Good Luck :D
Zeus
-
If OME struts correct camber issues with stock A-arms, how well are they working for the guys here with the Calmini 3" lift and OME struts? Any camber issues, or do they work well with the widening mod? Mike? Zig? Anyone?
-
If OME struts correct camber issues with stock A-arms, how well are they working for the guys here with the Calmini 3" lift and OME struts? Any camber issues, or do they work well with the widening mod? Mike? Zig? Anyone?
I still use the camber correction bolts. I don't think it really matters what lift you have, unless the nose weight is pretty close to that that the spring manufacturer used the camber is going to be out one way or another. Then there is spring sag to contend with too..
-
I had the camber bolts on my tracker back in the day. They shifted and threw my camber way off, But i didn't take it easy either. I'd say just put the right size bolt in there and drive it hard for awhile. Those springs settle right down after about a month. BTW, you love your Emu dont you 8) I miss her :'(
(http://photos.zuwharrie.com/users/zookiemike/3456100_0034med.jpg)
(http://photos.zuwharrie.com/users/zookiemike/3456100_0044med.jpg)
-
My springs are already settled(well, the fronts, anyways, cause they're stock with spacers). I don't take it very easy on it, either. I don't have the OME suspension, just the struts and I love them!
Are the A-arm bushings available in poly? I think mine are worn out. It looks like they are allowing the arms to shift a little...
-
If OME struts correct camber issues with stock A-arms, how well are they working for the guys here with the Calmini 3" lift and OME struts? Any camber issues, or do they work well with the widening mod? Mike? Zig? Anyone?
I still use the camber correction bolts. I don't think it really matters what lift you have, unless the nose weight is pretty close to that that the spring manufacturer used the camber is going to be out one way or another. Then there is spring sag to contend with too..
But from what I assume, the new A-arms that Calmini provides are designed to set the camber closer to stock with the taller springs... I just wondered how the OME struts worked with that setup since they adjust camber as well.
Seems that they work fine, since everyone that's posted that has them seems very happy with the setup.
-
I had camber bolts with my OME + Coil Spacers and when I swapped to the Calmini 3" I used the OME struts and the Calmini strut spacers. I needed a camber bolt for one side only and even that was a marginal requirement.
-
Well, here goes...
Go to Ack's Suzuki Samurai/Sidekick/Geo Tracker FAQ Forum (http://ackerdackerly.com/faqphpBB/index.php). There you will find Version 2 of my Searchable FAQ system - this time using phpBB forum software as a search engine.
Use the Search feature to search for "camber bolt" and you'll find info on buying Camber adjusting bolts for your truck!
The Information Forum contains only "locked out" messages so a search will turn up ONLY information related to what you are looking for!
Give it a try!
-
Thanks for the link. I'll give it a try. :)
-
http://www.specprod.com/PROD_DIR/C_PROD_passcar_SEARCH_DYN.cfm?cmd=Cam&cmd2=81250&cmd3=58%2C%2061
-
Chrysler struts use a toothed ecentric washer to assist with locking the bolt into place.
I figured i'd get it close and tack weld the washer where I need it to stay.
BUT, I'm not their yet.
I think I'm gonna try the MH widening before I nail the alignment down firm.
-
Seems that they work fine, since everyone that's posted that has them seems very happy with the setup.
The Calmini arms do correct the camber but they are designed to work with a winch bumper and a large amount of other hardware bolted to the front (ie nose weight). As far as using the OME struts with the Calmini kit, I suspect most of the others are also running spring spacers too so the OME struts correct for those.
-
Well, I'm gonna have to order some camber bolts :-\
I ejected the right camber wedge today in the woods and slapped a 17mm bolt in there to remove any chance of the camber changing. Now I am back to having this: /----\. Seems with stock upper strut mounts, OME struts bolted on totally stock and 1-1/2" coil spacers, the camber is too far off. Bummer... Oh well... I'll be ordering a set of camber bolts in the morning...
-
I've had similar situations with the OME stuff.
I got some OME front heavy springs for my fo'do', and the struts of course. I haven't yet put on a bullbar (which is my intention), but my camber was the same as yours /----\. I took it to a few different tire shops to see what they could do to fix it and they were clueless. I already knew about slotting the upper strut mount holes of the bracket, and when i told them this, they were like "Oh, ok, yeah, we can do that". So i said f-it and did it myself. I got a small drill bit in my die grinder and hunched over the damn thing in my lap forever to drill it out wider. it only added about 1/8 of an inch to the hole, but it fixed it. Basically, it maxes out the cast piece that slides into the strut mount, so it actually is pretty much touching the strut now, if you see what i'm saying. My camber wasn't that bad that i couldn't drive it or anything. With brand new bfg muddies, i didn't want early bad wear on them. So i guess i spent a total over 2 afternoons of about 3 hours on it. It took a while to find something to grind the holes with. I destroyed a few drill bits 1/8, but it worked.
It wasn't until after i did all this that i realized that when i put that bullbar on, i'll have to adjust it back probably...
I used original bolts and tightened them down just as hard as i could. They're very tough bolts to start with, and i didn't want to use camber bolts firstly because of the cost, but 2nd, because they break sometimes. The worst that can happen to me now is that the struts wiggle over just a little and the camber is off again, but i don't think it'll be possible to break the bolts. If i do have any more problems with this (i don't think i will have tho), then i'll weld some washers into a fixed position to keep it from moving.
-
Well, I'm gonna have to order some camber bolts :-\
I ejected the right camber wedge today in the woods and slapped a 17mm bolt in there to remove any chance of the camber changing. Now I am back to having this: /----\. Seems with stock upper strut mounts, OME struts bolted on totally stock and 1-1/2" coil spacers, the camber is too far off. Bummer... Oh well... I'll be ordering a set of camber bolts in the morning...
I thought I had replyed to this post but i dont see it. ??? i dont use camber bolts. I use a die grinder to oval the upper holes. I add thick washers to both sides and weld a half moon around the washer on the nut side. That holds it in place and since I only weld half of the washer I can get a prybar under the washer and pry it off if I need to change it in the future.
Mike
-
Ok, so even the camber bolts aren't a good idea on a trail rig, either? Great, I just bought a set at pepboys ::)
I'll look into the welded in washer idea. It sounds like a winner...