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Misfit of OME strut???

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Offline mojoincolorado

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Misfit of OME strut???
« on: March 18, 2006, 12:27:22 PM »
Hola all,
I just got done with a frustrating couple of hours trying to install an OME strut and new front spring I purchased from Rocky Road Outfitters. 

I have an existing 2" Calmini lift.  It uses stock sized struts, with a flipped over top mount and a header flange for a spacer under the lips of the top mount (makes it flat).  I reversed the mount (to stock), placing the header flange between the strut tower and the mount (making it almost a wash for the strut collapsed height versus the stock strut).

So I ordered new medium weight springs and OME struts, which I started to install.  Only to have the strut be so far out (horizontally with the axle) that I can't mount both ends of the strut and the ball joint at the same time.  If I leave one of the two lower bolts out, I can mount it all, but I don't think that will work for long  ;).

Along the way to coming to the conclusion that something is wrong, I tried it with/without the spring, as well as tried adjusting the toe out (way out), with the only result being that I now need to bring it WAY in. 

So I looked at the second strut, and as I am taking it out of the box, I notice the box says ABS on it.  Hmmmm, looking at the OME strut versus the stock strut there appears to be a difference in how far the lower mounting points ar from the strut.  Part number is N103S ABS, if anyone has a reference to confirm this?????

I have emailed them, but Saturday is not an office day, so phone didn't do me any good.

Can anyone confirm whether the part is wrong, I am fubar (stick to the subject), or any other suggestions?

By the way, I found a Procomp shock that fit well on the rear with this kit, though I did have to  make a 2" spacer for the top link to use it without the shocks hitting the axle in the stock lower mounts (I had already made the spacer without knowing it would be necessary).  I used the non-gas version.  Will post when I find the part number, but it is the shock they used in there (discontinued) lift kit.  Much larger diameter rod than the Calmini model (couldn't find there length anyplace else).  It provides ~ an inch or so more travel (overall length), and still JUST leaves the springs under tension.  I hadn't realized how bad mine had gotten.  Side wind isn't near as much an issue now.

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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Misfit of OME strut???
« Reply #1 on: March 18, 2006, 02:23:57 PM »
I'm pretty sure that mine are also marked N103S, don't remember if they have ABS stamped on them. You may well have problems with the OME strut and the Calmini kit as they both include correction for camber, thats why the bottom mount is different. That said on the 3" kit it will all fit together. It sounds like you have some problem with the top strut mount (need pics!), pushing the strut out too far.
2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org

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Offline hobgoblin

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Re: Misfit of OME strut???
« Reply #2 on: March 18, 2006, 04:37:23 PM »
Hello,

I'm not sure about this but from what I've seen the Calmini kit has "lift" built in the arm. So 3" lift springs would be more like 5''.Again I'm not sure but I think that is how those guys are running larger than 33" tires.Because the 2" calmini kit doesn't come with front springs.Please guys don't shoot me If I'm wrong....

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Offline mojoincolorado

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Re: Misfit of OME strut???
« Reply #3 on: March 18, 2006, 08:58:40 PM »
Ahh, situation normal, all fouled up (SNAFU for short). 

I managed to pop the inner cv joint out of place.  It had movement out, but no in.  The  (birfield?) ring had popped past the wire retaining ring, leaving a couple of balls behind.  A little disassembly & massaging got it all back together again. 

I figured it out by trying to reassemble the origianl components and finding that they didn't fit anymore either.  So now I have the new parts in.

The next saga is getting the left tie rod ends together.  While taking these the rest of the way apart (required heat ot get the nuts and adjuster to move) the outside lock nut wiped some threads off.  Checker (Schuk, Kragen, etc) had one, though it looks shorter by about an inch in teh threaded rod.  Will run a tap thrugh the adjuster prior to reassembling (and use anti-seize).  Hope the other side isn't as painful.



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Offline mojoincolorado

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Re: Misfit of OME strut???
« Reply #4 on: March 19, 2006, 09:09:38 AM »
Two emails from Glen Wakefield already (response from my emails).  Great service!