89&90PATHY Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 I had a mechanic install the 3” Calmini lift kit for me last week. After picking it up and driving it for a few miles I noticed a squeaking/creaking coming from the front end. Checked with mechanic and he said he lubed the bushings as Calmini recommended. So today I pulled the UCA’s off myself to relube them. This is what I found. The upper link spindle doesn’t center and seems to be binding, thus causing the very loud squeaking noise. Does this seem wrong to anyone else? If so, what should I do about it? See the pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 You know after the issues with another brand I was wondering if something like this might also be the cause of the Calmini squeak that some have talked about... Is this similar to what you are seeing? aftermarket tubular Upper control arms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duffman Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 No squeeks from mine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jj big shoe Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 I'd shoot a message to Calmini along with that pic and see what they say. I would think that they would replace it if it were a manufacturing defect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89&90PATHY Posted May 7, 2006 Author Share Posted May 7, 2006 Yes RedPath88. That seems to be the same problem with my Calmini arms. With the bushings being pliable you can force the spindle through the two bushings and install them that way, but that bind sure causes a racket. I'll go back out and reinstall them so I can move my vehicale out from the middle of the driveway. Then I'll email Calmini that picture and see if they we own up to the defective UCA's and send me some that work right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 Good Luck with Calmini... Cuong and I both had good luck with Rough Country and Superlift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 (edited) If I may suggest, instead of or in addition too emailing them the picture, you might also call them and provide a direct link to the picture like I did. The pictures I posted in the other thread were posted to imageshack.us HERE is your picture uploaded to there. I then made use of tinyurl.com to reduce the size of the address to make it easier for them to use it. - And to relay over the phone http://tinyurl.com/gwb8n That is the address that you can give them, it will redirect to your picture posted on imageshack *I reposted your picture on imageshack to reduce the use of bandwidth on the NPORA Forums server Edited May 8, 2006 by RedPath88 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earth1 Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 I had a really loud squeak that got worse until it drove me nuts. I started a topic last summer about it, maybe you've already seen it. http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=5245&hl= I don't think mine were off like that though. I don't think you have to worry too much though about the hard poly bushings like the flex style bushings in the tube uca's. They can't really crush, at least not too easily. General consensus is that poly bushings will squeak, but the greases that Precise1 linked me to have worked great with one application. Good luck. But... for the price you paid for those pups they should be perfect. If there is a prob, they'll probably send you a new one. You will have to wait until the ones you have get there and inspected and a replacement is sent out. Kinda sucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zx6rrmckee Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 I"m new to this forum, but I'd like to add that I have had problems with every upper control arm unil I purchased the SLR 1-4 arms. They align so perfectly and the suspension has never been so supple. The truck also drives straight.. even over rough fire roads at 20-30mph. As far as Calmini's arms are concerned I'd call them, send the link, do all of the above becasue the are likely to fix the problem.. but they do take a while sometimes... Forgive me if you already know this, but the key to the upper arm is it's alignment to the spindle. If it aligns on the spindle wrong the truck will never drive right. I find that placing the spindle in a vice and checking it's alignment with the arm is a good start. With my old AC arms i had to use tons of thick washers to keep the arm from moving front to back on the spindle. This is no sales ptich.. but If you end up unsatisfied call SLR racing, even though the arms are not on the web page he will build you anything, he's really cool. And they are worth it. I wish this was the first set I bought!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zx6rrmckee Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 Sorry, I'd like to add one more thing.. squeaking, creaking etc coming from the control arm usually means they need some grease, or they are misaligned. If they are mis alighned, like you know already with the AC arms, you will chew up bushings every 3-5k miles. Hope this helps some- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dowser Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 My Crapini's Make more noise now then when my muffler was broke. They Creak, They Squeak, They Creakity Squeak. So loud now in fact that For a few weeks I was terrified to drive it thinking it was something on the verge of snapping. I'm embarassed to drive in public cause its a head turner but not in the Aggressive "WOW look at that Monster" way... more of a "Hey look at that piece of sh!t truck that guy is driving! hahah what a loser." look. Final thought on Calmini..... NOT IMPRESSED. The UCA doesn't fit The Burly Rancho 9000xs well, Customer service I'm finding out is less then helpful, The Wait times are brutal especially after your initial purchase when all you need are the repair parts, Cost of Product was WAY over priced, They didn't Fit perfectly as I too had to stuff some washers in there to make sit proper, The Upper ball joints they send with them are Garbage and don't even have Grease fittings, and to top it all of.... They are just plain LOUD. Garbage all the way in my books and I feel like i wasted my money 100%. Dowser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheel366 Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 Hrm... Mine have never squeaked. Maybe it's because I alo got new spindles when I had mine put on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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