Hud Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 If I have the money to spend is the Calmini suspension kit a durable choice?.... I've searched and read several things about Calmini, listened to Steve's recorded conversation and heard mixed reveiws about their customer service but have not really found anything that says there products are poorly made or cheap... So I called them up today to feel it out and the guy was nothing but cool...now this could be only because I'm a potential buyer but not the feeling I got... So what do you think... If I have the money and my buddy is doing the work for me, is this the better route to take for ease of installation as well...? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 The Calmini stuff is well-built and durable, sure. It's just the most expensive UCA lift you can buy. My feeling is that if the RC/Superlift UCA's do the same job for less, why pay more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbdm4k Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 I will probably be going for the Calmini setup myself once I sort out all the rust and exhaust issues on my pathfinder, but what sells me on the Calmini setup is the completeness of the kit compared to other kits. It's all the hardware you get that goes into the kit. Not to mention the build quality of the components looks great. (Although their shocks remind me of Rancho RS5000 knock offs). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PATHRIDER Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 Make sure you put a zerk fitting on the calmini uca if you decide to get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 (Although their shocks remind me of Rancho RS5000 knock offs). They are. The calmini issue is their bushings. They're crap. Squeak like hell, and wear out VERY prematurely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 I have had calmini lift for years and am happy with it; metal components are very well made. I do agree with the criticism about the bushings. They are poly and do squeek[although I see no evidence of wear] Putting zerks in would well be worth it, alternatively you could use a teflon based lubricant [i used NEO watercraft type] and just regrease every couple of years[what I ended up doing] Good luck --glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hud Posted September 24, 2007 Author Share Posted September 24, 2007 Thanks for the advice everyone... Even though it maybe a little pricey I think I'm gonna go for it and hook it up with zerk fittings... pics soon to come Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbdm4k Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 Thanks for the advice everyone... Even though it maybe a little pricey I think I'm gonna go for it and hook it up with zerk fittings... pics soon to come Please let us know how the installation goes (especially the Zerk fitting part), I'm still a bit green when it comes to Pathfinders, but I'm looking to order the Calmini setup by the end of the month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msavides Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 (edited) Calmini no longer use the poly bushings for the UCAs now use vecton bushings. vecton is nylon that contains solid and liquid lubricants. I installed mine about 8 months ago. I have no squeaking. I have had no problems. They guys have been cool with me about all my questions. Yes they are expensive. But in my opinion worth it. I also have the calmini HD steering kit and track bar bracket. No problems with any of it. See link http://www.matweb.com/search/SpecificMater...?bassnum=PENS57 Mark Edited September 25, 2007 by msavides Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey.T Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 I just got off the phone with Calmini.... The Bushings I have are the same as the "Replacement Bushing"..... The will still Squeak.... sooner or later... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msavides Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 I just got off the phone with Calmini.... The Bushings I have are the same as the "Replacement Bushing"..... The will still Squeak.... sooner or later... I have only lubed them once (during installation) That was about 8 months ago. I have went through 3 trips of mud slinging and 3 pressure washes and no squeak. Are you sure the squeak is coming from the UCA, I also replaced all my bushings on the entire vehicle when I Installed the UCA. The UCA Bushings I installed were Black hard nylon not flexible at all. I can't imagine them being responsible for the squeak. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey.T Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 I greased the ever loving sh!t out of mine when I installed them.... Never had a squeaking problem prior to the install of the kit. Its the only thing that bugs me about the set up... And the only time it really bugs me is during Hunting Season, which is upon us.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 I'm surprised no one here has had the bushings wear out on them prematurely. Many of the Xterra folk Pezzy and I run with have had issues with them, as well as SkinnyPedal who had the Calmini lift kit, and had premature wearout on his bushings as well. He's since moved to RoughCountry UCA's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daver123 Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 I did the calmini kit and i definately have to say it is a nice kit but those damn bushings squeak so much, my truck got a nick name from that and the exhaust leak, which I fixed now, but my friends started calling it "The Panzer" cuz the squeaking sounded like old tank treads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feloniousmonk Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 my friends started calling it "The Panzer" cuz the squeaking sounded like old tank treads. And that's a bad thing? I'd gladly take that nickname with pride! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daver123 Posted September 29, 2007 Share Posted September 29, 2007 And that's a bad thing? I'd gladly take that nickname with pride! I'm not saying its a bad nickname, I'm just saying that the bushings are ridiculously squeaky. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Extreme90path Posted September 29, 2007 Share Posted September 29, 2007 (edited) yeah I agree! They squeeeeeak like hell. Mine don't when it's raining, but that's it. SQUEEEK SQUEEEEK! Note: I do agree, UCAs are beefy as heck, just a pain to get aligned correctly. Edited September 29, 2007 by Extreme90path Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msavides Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 Well I will just count myself lucky that mine don't squeak. If they do start to squeak I will relube them. however if they last as long as they have now after each lube, I can live with relubing once a year. BTW Just had my truck Re-aligned and they got it all within factory specs, Barely but still. Drives much better now. I will continue to take it in every six months. I Love lifetime alignment at Firestone.Worth every penny. Mark yeah I agree! They squeeeeeak like hell. Mine don't when it's raining, but that's it. SQUEEEK SQUEEEEK! Note: I do agree, UCAs are beefy as heck, just a pain to get aligned correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkorahil Posted October 6, 2007 Share Posted October 6, 2007 The Calmini lift is what i plan to but in Dec. Thanks for the heas up on lubing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earth1 Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 Second post in like 15 minutes about the squeaky bushings... There is nothing wrong with the Calmini bushings, although they should make the UCA with a zerk. It's a matter of using the right lube. I used the Neo watercraft stuff Glenn's talking about and it has lasted for at least 20K miles and 15 months. That's with plenty pressure washes/2 hot summers/road de-icer/water crossings/etc since. Any very thick marine/waterproof grease should work fine. The only way I can imagine wearing those bushings out is to let them squeak dry for ever. If they squeak, they're not lubed well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msavides Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 You know what that is similar to the stuff I lubed mine with. I did not know about it, That is all I had on hand at the time. It is the green stuff right. That could explain why mine have not squeaked yet. Now I know to keep using that grease. I Know it repels water well that is why I thought it would be perfect to use instead of going out and buying some wheel bearing grease. Mark Second post in like 15 minutes about the squeaky bushings... There is nothing wrong with the Calmini bushings, although they should make the UCA with a zerk. It's a matter of using the right lube. I used the Neo watercraft stuff Glenn's talking about and it has lasted for at least 20K miles and 15 months. That's with plenty pressure washes/2 hot summers/road de-icer/water crossings/etc since. Any very thick marine/waterproof grease should work fine. The only way I can imagine wearing those bushings out is to let them squeak dry for ever. If they squeak, they're not lubed well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Extreme90path Posted October 12, 2007 Share Posted October 12, 2007 (edited) Well I will just count myself lucky that mine don't squeak. If they do start to squeak I will relube them. however if they last as long as they have now after each lube, I can live with relubing once a year. BTW Just had my truck Re-aligned and they got it all within factory specs, Barely but still. Drives much better now. I will continue to take it in every six months. I Love lifetime alignment at Firestone.Worth every penny. Mark hahahahaha gotta love that! Edited October 12, 2007 by Extreme90path Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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