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Front Kick Struts.

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Offline ROLLOVR

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Front Kick Struts.
« on: February 14, 2007, 05:40:25 PM »
Hello,

Looking for some information on struts. I have the Calmini 6" combo lift system on my 98' Chevy Tracker. Since day one there has been a rattle and clank in the front. I've looked for, and driven my Tracker like this for about 500 miles. Very annoying with bumps and turns. Finally tracked it down to one of the Calmini supplied Struts.

So, first off, I’ve read that the Calmini struts are the same as stock. Is this true?

Second, if I'm going to upgrade, what is the consensus or experiences with the Old Man Emu struts? Should I purchase the ones with the two inches of additional travel? Can I get the struts only and not the kit? Who can set me up for the best price?

Thanks. ROLLOVR
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Offline tipover

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Re: Front Kick Struts.
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2007, 06:03:54 PM »
Well, nice Login ID Rollovr! alot like mine.

I don't know anything about Calmini. but I have seen OMEmu struts separately somewhere.

Tipover

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Offline crikeymike

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Re: Front Kick Struts.
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2007, 06:49:22 PM »
Hawk suzuki will sell OME struts separately, i'm sure.
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1993 4-door Sidekick
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Offline ZeusZuki

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Re: Front Kick Struts.
« Reply #3 on: February 14, 2007, 07:07:46 PM »
I have had heaps of experience with these kits.

Your problem is that the springs have not settled yet causing the struts to be over extended. This causes the noises you are experiencing.

Once the springs settle all will be well. I personally leave the stock struts in until things settle down and then install the new struts supplied with the kit.

It is not a fault of the kit but just something the springs need time to do - your camber and castor also come right once everything has settled down - trust me, this is no bull  :)

Hope this helps.

ZeusZuki  8)
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1600 Escudo / Kick, beam front, coils all round, 37 MTR's, 97" wheelbase, locked fr & rr,twin stick, front stock ratio, Calmini 5.14 t box rear, Warn XD9000i winch, blah blah!

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Offline ROLLOVR

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Re: Front Kick Struts.
« Reply #4 on: February 14, 2007, 08:43:47 PM »
I appreciate everyone help.

  The suspension and or springs have settled. I also have a winch bumper, and winch on the front that helps in front end sag. My problem with the driver side strut is that the shaft visibly moves, left to right, within the strut housing. The passenger side does not. The old stock struts also do not have this type of play.

  So my original question still stands. How are the Old Man Emu struts? I want to get the extended struts not the stock or OEM ones. Can these be used with my Calmini kit? I have not found a website that just lists the extended type struts. Where can I get them at the best price or what is the price of them?

Thanks again, ROLLOVR
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Offline cj

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Re: Front Kick Struts.
« Reply #5 on: February 14, 2007, 09:15:17 PM »
Quote from: ROLLOVR on February 14, 2007, 08:43:47 PM
I appreciate everyone help.

  The suspension and or springs have settled. I also have a winch bumper, and winch on the front that helps in front end sag. My problem with the driver side strut is that the shaft visibly moves, left to right, within the strut housing. The passenger side does not. The old stock struts also do not have this type of play.

  So my original question still stands. How are the Old Man Emu struts? I want to get the extended struts not the stock or OEM ones. Can these be used with my Calmini kit? I have not found a website that just lists the extended type struts. Where can I get them at the best price or what is the price of them?

Thanks again, ROLLOVR


One of the guys in our club had a faulty strut in his Calmini suspension and it was replaced by Calmini eventually. I run OME struts with my Calmini suspension and don't have any problems although others seem to be wary of this as they feel it overxtends the CV. I've run the OME struts for about three years so far and have no reason to stop.
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Offline chet

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Re: Front Kick Struts.
« Reply #6 on: February 14, 2007, 10:27:23 PM »
I am replacing my calmini struts with OME ones this weekend as they were both blown (as were the back shocks after 1.5 years of mainly road driving  ::)

I will report back on monday about the difference.
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Offline HotRod

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Re: Front Kick Struts.
« Reply #7 on: February 14, 2007, 11:24:58 PM »
OME struts up front with out the Calmini spacer
With the Clamini strut spacers, They easily over extand the CVs
Rancho 5000s in rear.
Now it rides nicely
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95 2dr Geo Tracker with Calmini 6"inch combo lift, 32'inch BFGs M/Tlocked and loaded--D.D is my 06 Racy RED Aerio SX AWD
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Offline zukisidekick

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Re: Front Kick Struts.
« Reply #8 on: February 15, 2007, 12:02:21 PM »
I agree, I never installed the Calmini struts (ordered my kick without shock/struts).  I installed a set of OME struts, and removed the strut spacers.   OMEs are great!   I'm running Doestch Tech long travels in the rear. 

You can buy the OME struts separately from Rocky Road as well:  www.rocky-road.com



IMHO, the stock Suzuki struts are better (made by SHOWA) than the Calminis.   Showa makes most of the Motocross forks/suspension parts for a large portion of the Japanese Motorcycle manufacturers.

 -Zukisidekick
« Last Edit: February 15, 2007, 12:34:59 PM by zukisidekick »
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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Front Kick Struts.
« Reply #9 on: February 15, 2007, 12:30:22 PM »
My OME struts are made in Spain. Interestingly the OME struts are also stamped Made in Spain. Given the uniqueness of the design I wonder if they are from the same manufacturer. They certainly took a long trip to get to me, Spain to Australia, Australia to the US and then the US to the UK - no wonder they were expensive!
You run the OME springs on the Calmini kit?
« Last Edit: February 15, 2007, 12:32:37 PM by Rhinoman »
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