hi all,

i would like some info on the calmini front diff drop brackets.

1. how much do they lower the front of the diff?
i realise that the rear mount doesn't lower it as much if any at all.

2. do they really improve cv angles? if they do, how much do the CVs on the diff side drop?

3. does the rear mount bind up with the left and right drop brackets?

4. will the stock aluminium diff housing be put under more stress with these brackets?

5. is there any possible way to lower the rear mount of the front diff?

i had a good look (30 mins or so) at the front end of my  vit on the week end, and it seems that unless i cut the crossmember off and build a custom one (or cradle for the whole ifs), its not possible.

6. is it possible or even worth extending the 'calmini' drop brackets another .5" - 1"?

thanks heaps guys.
Steve (from Australia remember)

p.s. i will never have enough money to be able to buy the calmini kit.  

Steve,
The brackets do more of a pivot about the rear mount. The front of the housing drops and the rear rotates in its current position with minimal drop. I do not know how far it drops the front of the housing but it does make a BIG difference in CV angles. More drop could be achieved if you knotched or dropped the crossmember to make the angles even better though.

Zig

thanks Zig. i already know that the rear bracket doesnt drop the diff any lower.

the thing is, as its a pivot issue, is if the front is lowered too much, the brackets will bind as the mounting holes and surface on the diff, will not fit up with the brackets.

in this case, the drop brackets would need to be slightly bent, in a 'J' shape to bolt up clean and flat.

thanks

Hey Steve,
You got PM... |removethispart|@ www.4x4ph.com

Steve,

I made up a set of lowered mounts for my Vit.  I lowered it by 50mm.  This droped the CV's about the same.  I have now droped the stuts another 50mm and lift the front end another 50mm.  The rear mount is bound up, but seems to be ok.  I think the alloy housing will be fine (well as strong as with normal mounts) , however I am going pick up a few of the diff centre bolts and attach them to the drivers side (RHD) bracket.

I am not sure how far the Calmini mounts lower the diff, but anymore then 50mm and the drive shaft flange rubs the bellhousing.  Mine touches now when going down steep decents in 1st gear low.

I too will never be able to afford the Calmini kit.  I have the diff brackets now, next is to make some front control arms.

Steve,

I made up a set of lowered mounts for my Vit.  I lowered it by 50mm.  This droped the CV's about the same.  I have now droped the stuts another 50mm and lift the front end another 50mm.  The rear mount is bound up, but seems to be ok.  I think the alloy housing will be fine (well as strong as with normal mounts) , however I am going pick up a few of the diff centre bolts and attach them to the drivers side (RHD) bracket.

I am not sure how far the Calmini mounts lower the diff, but anymore then 50mm and the drive shaft flange rubs the bellhousing.  Mine touches now when going down steep decents in 1st gear low.

I too will never be able to afford the Calmini kit.  I have the diff brackets now, next is to make some front control arms.

now this is what i'm talking about. can you get some pics of them for me if you dont mind. this is pretty much what i need.

as with the flange rubbing the bellhousing, maybe you could use a thinner bush for the rear mount, in between the crossmember and the diff housing bracket. there seems to be enough room to lower the rear mount 1/4" - about 1/2".

thanks heaps
Steve

Steve,
Your right about the rear mount.  I plan to make a new rotated mount that lowers it down some 10mm and keeps the mount unbound.  If you wanted to lower the diff further than 50mm you could lift the motor up 10-20mm or change the pinion flange to one from a narrow track Sierra 1.3l as they are around 20mm smaller in diameter.

Heres a pic of the mount.
http://www.zukiworld.com/cgi/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=suzuki_talk;action=display;num=1116518044;start=15#15

Hi fity, thanks for that.

i will look into it.

let us know when and how you make the rear mount.

thanks
Steve

Ok dumb question if it drops the front and not the rear (acting as a pivot what does it do to the shaft yoke angles??

Ok dumb question if it drops the front and not the rear (acting as a pivot) what does it do to the shaft yoke angles??

not much really. think of a see-saw, the front of the diff drops, the rear mount pivots, and the diff pinion flange rises slightly.

its like the rear diff upper control arm spacer, tilts the pinion up towards the transfer case. no one seems to have had problems with this, or the calmini kit.

and theres no such thing as a dumb question, its all tech, and its here for everyone to learn.

a dumb question would be: can i use my ash tray to hold loose coins/change, as i dont smoke.
or
can i use my cup holders to hold a bottle of water instead, i fear that the water in a cup will spill if i go up the gutter.

anyway.......

cheers
steve

Yeah it does pivot the front diff causing the uni angle to get worse, but standard there it is around 1deg and now around 5deg.  It is still fine and doesn't vibrate.  You have to remember that the angle doesn't change with wheel articulation like the rear end.

Does anyone know how much the Calmini drop brackets lower the front diff?

Does anyone know how much the Calmini drop brackets lower the front diff?

On the 3" lift its about 2.5". If you do a search I did post some pics of the Calmini brackets next to the stock ones. The Calmini rear mount is a little lower and it also uses a different mounting arrangement with a poly spacer (do another search for a pic of that). You do have to remember to park it on a slope when you check the diff oil though or you will get through diffs very quickly.

not much really. think of a see-saw, the front of the diff drops, the rear mount pivots, and the diff pinion flange rises slightly.

its like the rear diff upper control arm spacer, tilts the pinion up towards the transfer case. no one seems to have had problems with this, or the calmini kit.

and theres no such thing as a dumb question, its all tech, and its here for everyone to learn.

a dumb question would be: can i use my ash tray to hold loose coins/change, as i dont smoke.
or
can i use my cup holders to hold a bottle of water instead, i fear that the water in a cup will spill if i go up the gutter.

anyway.......

cheers
steve

We do more with the samurais then the kick/track stuff so I real just wondered if there were advers angles at the yoke. I know it doesnt move up and down, but thought I would pose the question anyways. Thanx