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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: LilRed on August 16, 2005, 05:43:41 AM

Title: Do I need longer struts?
Post by: LilRed on August 16, 2005, 05:43:41 AM
    I've added coil spacers all around, flipped the strut mounts and have crown vic shocks in the rear of my 92 Sidekick.  Now when the front tire drops, it hits too hard.   ???  Do I need longer struts?
Title: Re: Do I need longer struts?
Post by: Zukipilot on August 16, 2005, 06:11:06 AM
What size spacers did you use front and rear?

Zig
Title: Re: Do I need longer struts?
Post by: Cwkick on August 16, 2005, 06:46:29 AM
I am working on a way to give about an inch more travel for 25 dollars. 

I have all of the parts together, I need to get the time to do it!

Cwkick
Title: Re: Do I need longer struts?
Post by: LilRed on August 16, 2005, 06:57:21 AM
What size spacers did you use front and rear?

Zig

Sky Manufacturing 1.5" spacers
Title: Re: Do I need longer struts?
Post by: Zukipilot on August 16, 2005, 07:13:10 AM
With 1.5" spacers on the IFS in the front, it probably gave you a little more that 2" of lift, and the strut mount flip gave you about the same for thge strut. So I dont think it would be the strut length. Is the strut old and worn out? That may be the cause :-\

Zig
Title: Re: Do I need longer struts?
Post by: Rhinoman on August 16, 2005, 10:26:07 AM
Test the damping in your struts too and if they are OK then you probably need spacers. The length of the strut/working range affects both the amount of wheel drop available and the suspension preload. If you cannot jack up the front of the car less than 2" without the tyre coming off the ground then I'd say that you don't have enough travel. Because the spacers give more travel the spring will be under less tension when the suspension hits full extension so it will feel a bit smoother.
Title: Re: Do I need longer struts?
Post by: Digger on August 16, 2005, 11:33:15 AM
Doing just the strut mount flip only dropped your struts about 7/8"-1" and you pushed the arms down just over 2" at the ends with the 1-1/2" coil spacers. While that might have had an effect, most likely the struts are worn out. If you lower the struts much more than they are, you'll be extending the cv's at too steep of an angle and stressing them out. I would say at the very least you need new struts if not longer ones. If you do get longer ones, like the OME ones, flip the strut mount back to normal when installing them cause they wont need the mount flip anymore.
Title: Re: Do I need longer struts?
Post by: SiKiD_01 on August 17, 2005, 03:36:00 AM
i am running 2" coil spacers up front, with a 2" strut spacer and no strut mount flip.

i do not bottom or top out, and when on level ground, the strut sits half way, which gives equal 4" of up and down travel.

my guess is, you do need more drop in the strut to stop it over extending. but maybe its a really worn out strut? does it bottom out on compressions?
Title: Re: Do I need longer struts?
Post by: SiKiD_01 on August 17, 2005, 03:38:43 AM
Check out Cwkicks $25 1" gain. this will probably fix your problem. as they are exhaust flanges, i'm not sure how they will hold up, but they are good as you can add or take depending and tune the front end.

and when you get it all down pat, then take the flanges together, to stop them trying to shear the bolts. there are tremendous forces on the strut and bolts! some people really dont realise.
Title: Re: Do I need longer struts?
Post by: Twan013 on August 20, 2005, 10:43:05 PM
Yes, your struts need to be doubled trifolderishly....   hehehe, sorry guys, i've been trying to use that somewhere for about a year now... i forgot where i even got it from, but i do remember it being about the funniest thing i've ever heard in my life... right under "you can squat on a pitbull, but it won't give you rhubarb pie"