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Possible Calmini problems 3" sus LIft, Need Info

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Offline Rubberducky

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Possible Calmini problems 3" sus LIft, Need Info
« on: October 31, 2009, 10:02:40 AM »
I just got my 3" Calmini Sus Lift put in on Fri. The front tires are on an angle and they are telling me that the springs are to new and that I need to go 4x4ing to wear them in. hmmmm? is that true? Second there is not much for up travel in the front. I will be getting tires and rims on Monday maybe that will help? They also said there needs to be more weight in the front and a bigger bumper will help, but I'm thinking, shouldn't it be a bit softer than that. The coils seem to sag as if there is too much coil there.
Is there anyone out there that has had this problem or is it as they say, just give it some time to brake in or is there another solution?
Thanks for any help.

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Offline Rubberducky

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Re: Possible Calmini problems 3" sus LIft, Need Info
« Reply #1 on: October 31, 2009, 10:04:42 AM »
Here are some more pic

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Offline Drone637

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Re: Possible Calmini problems 3" sus LIft, Need Info
« Reply #2 on: October 31, 2009, 10:54:51 AM »
The Calmini 3" is really designed to have a winch bumper up front to help weigh it down, but they are right about getting the springs to break in.  Usually you want to run it around for a couple weeks to a month before getting the front end re-aligned.

Or you can just go jump it a few times.  :D
96 Geo Tracker, x-SJ-410,  x-White Rabbit, x-Project Trouble
Crawlers NorthWest
x-Trouble Racing

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Offline Rubberducky

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Re: Possible Calmini problems 3" sus LIft, Need Info
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2009, 11:56:42 AM »
Thats good to hear. I'm Planing on getting one. Looks like it may be sooner now.

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Offline Rubberducky

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Re: Possible Calmini problems 3" sus LIft, Need Info
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2009, 12:55:24 PM »
I would have gone 4x4ing this weekend but I'm still wating on tires and rims. :'( They should be here by Mon. 13 out today..damit.
 

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Offline Cuthulu

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Re: Possible Calmini problems 3" sus LIft, Need Info
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2009, 01:34:02 PM »
Did this come with camber bolts, and if so did you go get your alignment done? If it does not come with those then you have to get them and get your alignment Also Pretty much all springs do settle for about a month or so.  I have OME and they setteled about .5" in about 6 months.  That was on a 1.5" lift.

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Offline Rubberducky

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Re: Possible Calmini problems 3" sus LIft, Need Info
« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2009, 01:52:34 PM »
Not shure if it came with camber bolts, I'll ask about it on Monday. Ya I got an alignment done.

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Offline ebewley

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Re: Possible Calmini problems 3" sus LIft, Need Info
« Reply #7 on: November 02, 2009, 07:19:33 AM »
You really need to set your toe alignment on that from what I can see from the pictures... That'll make the camber look and be much better. Right now it looks like you may be as much as a couple of inches off in toe alignment. Rule of thumb... If the rig 'picks up' when you drive forward and then 'squats' down when you back up you have too much to in. Conversely if the vehicle squats down when moving forward and raises up when moving backward you have too much toe out. Using a tape measure on the front of the tire and then on the back of the tire in a horizontal plane, (zero to 1/8" toe in) try to align so that the vehicle remains nuetral with moving forward and back. Set your toe, Drive it around for a bit after adjustment, 100 miles or so, and then take it to alignment shop.

Good luck, Eric
« Last Edit: November 02, 2009, 07:22:08 AM by ebewley »
Eric L. Bewley                               
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Offline Rubberducky

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Re: Possible Calmini problems 3" sus LIft, Need Info
« Reply #8 on: November 02, 2009, 08:11:03 AM »
thanks!

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Offline jeff5000

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Re: Possible Calmini problems 3" sus LIft, Need Info
« Reply #9 on: November 03, 2009, 08:33:14 PM »
looks like mine did after few months it setteled i think mine setteled lil 2 much in the back as it seems lil baggy

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Offline djlantis57

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Re: Possible Calmini problems 3" sus LIft, Need Info
« Reply #10 on: November 03, 2009, 09:15:23 PM »
That's about how my alignment looked when I finished the install, same kit, same year 90 Tracker.  It wasn't drivable.  Towed it on my flatbed to an alignment shop and they did the toe-in alignment.  Drove it about 900 miles and one trip crawling around in the rocks before I had them do a full alignment. 
Here's a tip: they had a choice of using CAMBER bolts, or slotting my strut holes.  THe camber bolts are egg-shaped to provide adjustment, so they are slightly necked down, and therefore, slightly weaker (not by much, but a smaller bolt is weaker).  I wanted them to slot the struts and they said YES after seeing how small the camber bolts were that they had. 
BUT:  they had to slot BOTH the upper and lower strut holes.  I had supplied four new heavy-duty (8.8 grade) metric bolts with washers, etc.  I had them tac-weld the washers to the strut to reinforce the elongated hole, and prevent the bolt from sliding in the slot, too.  Turned out good and it drives great with the tires and a proper alignment
God put me on earth to accomplish a certain number of things.  Right now I am so far behind, I will never die.
90 Tracker LSi 2dr tintop 5spd: slow toy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08 Pontiac G8 GT: fast toy
90 Tracker LSi 2dr 5spd: SOLD.......95 Tracker 2dr 5spd: parts..........90 Sidekick JX 5spd: HI, my name's DJ and I have an addiction.........93 Tracker 2dr 2wd 5spd: PS donor/poss. 4x4 swap from 95 parts

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Offline Bobzooki

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Re: Possible Calmini problems 3" sus LIft, Need Info
« Reply #11 on: November 05, 2009, 12:20:51 PM »
After wheeling my kick for a few years (hmm...how about SIX years!) my fronts now lean the other way!   (Like this:  /  \ )
Of course, I have the front Calmini bumper, with a Warn 6000 winch, and the belly armor, and all that weight up front, on top of the Anvil, with Toyota 4Runner CV axles.
Bob

Tahoe 24' Fish-N-Fun Tritoon
115 HP Mercury outboard

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Offline MUD CHILD

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Re: Possible Calmini problems 3" sus LIft, Need Info
« Reply #12 on: November 05, 2009, 11:41:00 PM »
I have this kit in my truck and I'll sum it up for you. The stock Calmini springs are CRAP!!! I went through 2 sets they even gave me warranty on one set (as hard as that is to believe) When I phoned them and talked to them about it they gave me every excuse in the book about there springs, bottom line there garbage! To fix the problem I got a set of springs from FOA, they are intended for coilovers, I cut one end so it would have a pig tail. At the same time I also installed a set of OME struts, the truck rides way better than ever and no more camber issues due to saggy calmini springs.
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