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Just Installed Calmini 2.5" Kit, Camber/Wheel Size issue

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Offline 4D-SPUDS

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Re: Just Installed Calmini 2.5" Kit, Camber/Wheel Size issue
« Reply #15 on: September 12, 2006, 10:54:06 PM »
Thanks for all your input.  Overall, I feel let down by the Calmini kit.  While it is built from quality materials (front struts are questionable), its instructions are lacking, and it does not maintain track width and alignment.  According to Calmini it actually requires wheels with a -1" offset from factory and tires of a certain size to achieve alignment.  In reality it does require spacing of wheels and altering of strut bolt holes even after settling and a heavy articulation of new coil springs.  They should just let this be known upfront and/or provide wheel spacers with kit, pre-grind strut bolt holes or sell wheels that fit there specific requirement for alignment.
2003 ChevZuki ViTraka: 2.0 L4 M/T, Calmini 2.5", O.M.E. Struts, Spider Trax 1" Wheel Spacer, 30X9.5R15 BFG All-Terrain TA's

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Offline 4D-SPUDS

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Re: Just Installed Calmini 2.5" Kit, Camber/Wheel Size issue
« Reply #16 on: September 13, 2006, 03:49:09 PM »
Here are some pics as promised these photos have stock wheels and tires on them, because I have yet to find a wheel that will clear calipers and provide -1" offset.  The Camber issue is difficult to see in this photo, it is there however.  Still no straight answer from Calmini on wheel specs, they say this is first time they have heard about the camber issue, but judging from others here at zukiworld there are others who have questioned them.  Calmini is very confident their kit is correct, maybe some parts (coil springs, Control arms?) were mixed in wrong boxes?
2003 ChevZuki ViTraka: 2.0 L4 M/T, Calmini 2.5", O.M.E. Struts, Spider Trax 1" Wheel Spacer, 30X9.5R15 BFG All-Terrain TA's

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Offline 97TRAKIN

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Re: Just Installed Calmini 2.5" Kit, Camber/Wheel Size issue
« Reply #17 on: September 13, 2006, 05:48:47 PM »
Still no straight answer from Calmini on wheel specs, they say this is first time they have heard about the camber issue,
WOW! ::)

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Offline sherifon

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Re: Just Installed Calmini 2.5" Kit, Camber/Wheel Size issue
« Reply #18 on: September 14, 2006, 05:49:10 AM »
first  off  all    congratioalations ;D

 i   also  have  the  tire  rub  marks  on  the  a  arm
  seems  that  the  kit  realy  neads a  1"  spacer 
  and   the  camber  is  well  seen from  the  first  pic -  i  have  the  same problem.

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Offline Rubicon_Dave

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Re: Just Installed Calmini 2.5" Kit, Camber/Wheel Size issue
« Reply #19 on: November 22, 2006, 01:28:54 PM »
Update (or a warning...) for those thinking of purchasing or installing the kit;

I installed this kit on my Grand Vitara and ran into the same issues, and more.....Here's my experience.

Minutes after I installed the kit I took it for a test drive down the block and immediately heard a grinding noise from under the car. Upon further inspection I found that the driveshaft flange at the front diff was rubbing against the exhaust pipe. This happened because the kit contains a new front diff mount that rotates the front diff forward to lower the axles. When I called Calmini the next day they told me to "just drive it for a while and let the springs settle, it will stop"
Not wanting to wait for the flange to rub a hole in the exhaust I modified the exhaust pipe to remedy the problem. The next day I had JustTires throw on some Goodyear Fortera TripleTreds 245/70R16. I had them do the alignment while they were at it and the camber was at roughly 1 to 1.5 degrees.

Everything seemed OK after that until about 6 months later when the front passenger wheel bearing grenaded on me. As I was pulling off the wheel to inspect the bearing I noticed the inside 3" of my brand new tires were bald. I replaced the bearings and decided to hold off on the tires until figured out what was up. Two months later the new bearings grenaded again. (my fault actually since I only changed the bearings, and not the galled bearing race) I took my angle meter and a stright edge to the front wheels on a level surface and discovered that the front end had "settled" to a nice 4.5 degree camber on the passenger side. The driver was only 3.5 degrees. Since there are no provisions to adjust camber from the factory I did some research and found some camber adjustment bolts that replace the factory strut to spindle bolts. (see link below) with the adjustment now set correctly everything seems to be ok again.

Other little annoyances:

 :( the springs are very stiff, and even after break in they ride stiff. The Calmini guy told me they would soften up with time, and they never did. When I asked him about it again he said "the kit was designed for offroad use, and that's why they are stiff"  I say B.S.! I've been wheeling offroad for over 15 years now at places like the Rubicon and the Hammers ,(Johnson Valley) and I've never had a rig ride this rough....ever. (for comparison my trail rig is a toyota truck/buggy and has had coil overs, leaf springs with Bilstiens, and FOX air shocks)

 :( The supension squeaks like a mother *|removethispart|@#&%. Make sure you grease the snot out of the bushings before installation.

The Bottom line:

The build quality on the kit is very nice (welds, powdercoating, etc) and all in all it performs well offroad.  But in my opinion Calmini could of done a better job of selecting a better spring rate for the fronts, and of educating the consumers on the camber issue. Calmini should include the Fastcam bolts in the kit as well as some bushing grease. (are you guys listening?)

If you are going to install one of these kits I recommend the following:

Go out and order some Fastcam bolts from Ingalls engineering. Re-adjust the front end again after a few good wheeling trips. I recommend part # 81250.
http://www.ingallseng.com/trucks/suzuki4x4.html
Tire Rack carries the FastCam Bolts online.

In addition to the Fastcam bolts get yourself some formula 5 prelube from Energy Suspension (part # 90.11110) Make sure you lube every bushing on the control arms.
http://www.energysuspensionxd.com/catalog/powerb_grea.html

If you do these two things you'll be OK (except for the stiff spring rate...)
The Vitara is the wifes rig, this is my other rig.....
http://www.rocknroll4x4.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1468[/url]