Squeaky/ shifty Calmini

Right... SO I just bought a 2000 Nissan Xterra with a Calmini lift, and when I let off the gas, the back end gets squirrely... I've had a lifted Cherokee before, and it did this slightly, but this is pretty intense.. Also, we've had a week of Ice and rain up here, and the whole suspension squeaks, loudly, with every bump...

words of advice?

The squeak is most likely the upper control arms. Calmini was using Delrin bushings in them which last forever and keep the slop out, but when they get dry they sound horrible! Calmini is now using a different type of bushing that is supposed to solve the problem. You can either replace the bushings or keep them lubricated. I still have the Delrin bushings in mine and I've found that Tri-Flow spray Teflon lubricant (found in bike stores) works well at giving temporary relief. I spray the pivot bushings liberally with it about every two months and all is quiet.

As for the squirrely issue, I have no idea unless something is loose? I don't and never have had that problem nor have I heard of anyone else with a lift having that problem. My Xterra always tracks straight even under heavy braking. I guess the best I can suggest is just to make sure everything related to the spring packs is tight. Check the U-bolts, shackle bolts, etc. I doubt it would affect throttle lift, but if there's anything loose or out of alignment up front you might get some of that under braking. A very weak area in the Xterra is the steering system. With lifted trucks the centerlink wears out very fast and that will cause the truck to wander and such. Definately worth looking into if everything else checks out in back. Calmini is one of the companies that offers a tough steering solution to fix that issue if it's not already installed on your Xterra. If the front end has excessive toe in or out the truck will be all over the road, so you could just need an alignment.

Anyway, I guess I would suggest checking all the bolts and getting an alignment and go from there. If your centerlink is toast the alignment tech will find it, as there will be too much play to get a proper alignment.

HTH!

thanks alot... it all makes sense... To be honest, I didn't really want to buy a X that had a lift already done... as it means I lose all the knowledge of what went into it... but alas, my bank isn't gonna give me an extra 2k on top of the asking price... so I took the offer I found. now I am back tracking, to learn what has been done (Catback exhaust, K&N intake, GPS) and what hasn't... (where's the ARB Bull bar????) thanks for your help.

maybe check out the brakes too. possibly a caliper dragging or sticking thats getting ya squirrely.