Hi folks,

I have some issues with my zukination 4" kit up front. The current option is to have the a-arms modified to re-seat the springs horizontally so they don't bow out and hit the calipers. I thought another option might be to get some calmini control arms from the 3" kit. It seems to me that adding an extra inch of spring length would not cause the springs to bow out too much; The stock track width would also mean that the calipers would be positioned away from the springs, hopefully solving the problem.

My question is, does anyone think that adding an extra inch to the Calmini setup would cause the CV joints to get pulled out too far?

Thanks for any input, this is just an idea. I thought this info may also be helpful to people wanting to get more out a calmini 3" kit, which I haven't read about yet either.

Benoit

You can't buy the Calmini arms individually so your best option would be to modify the stock arms.

BRD HNTR cut and re-angled his spring pads on the control arms.  They are stock ones instead of Zukination, but the theory should be the same.

http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=22395.msg190099#msg190099

My question is, does anyone think that adding an extra inch to the Calmini setup would cause the CV joints to get pulled out too far?

Thanks for any input, this is just an idea. I thought this info may also be helpful to people wanting to get more out a calmini 3" kit, which I haven't read about yet either.

Benoit

Probably.
I was running a 2" spring spacer, and 4 door springs (in a 2 door), and blew out a CV on the first outing.  I dropped the diff. 1 1/2" and raised the outside edge of the spring pad 1".  I also cut the spring spacer down to 3/4" and have about the same ride height.  My CV angles are great at full drop (2" strut spacers).  I still have a slight bow in springs, so 1 1/2" would not seem out of the question.

Bowed spring (before mod.)                                         CV angle at full drop  (before mod.)   


Current CV angle at full extension


The ride has also improved.  Full description on DIY of my Tracker build.

Hey BRD HNTR,

Thanks a lot for the detailed reply. That's exactly what I was looking for!

It sounds like I'll still have quite a bit of bow at full droop since the zukination strut spacers are a bit over 3 inches. But the improvement should be enough. I'll be sure to post about this when I get it sorted out.

thanks again!

thanks drone637 for the link too. The ZN kit doesn't come with control arms. it uses the stock ones so I can do the same mod as BRD HNTR.

Cheers,
Benoit

the zukination strut spacers are a bit over 3 inches.

Thats sounds like rather a lot. Have you checked that you have enough travel in the CV joints?

I had to drop my front diff.  I also lowered the cross member to keep the diff level, but I believe that Calmini just lowers the front mounts and lets the diff rotate up a little.  That would man you have to be careful when checking oil level.  I went 1 1/2", which pretty much put everything in line.
If you do the spring pad mod. and longer springs, I don't think you will need the 3" spacers.  If you do, you will need to drop the diff considerable more than I did.

Going on a trip, Looking forward to your work.  Post some photo's.

Steve

I also lowered the cross member to keep the diff level, but I believe that Calmini just lowers the front mounts and lets the diff rotate up a little.  That would man you have to be careful when checking oil level. 

The Calmini kit lowers the rear mount about 1/2" and yes you do need to be careful with the oil level. I jack the front of the car up to get the diff level when filling it.