Calmini Lift
OhioX
05-06-2003, 09:40 AM
I am planning on installing a Calmini lift here in the next couple days. I was reading through the instructions posted linked from http://www.xterraparts.com/html/instruct/NP12500_pg1.html and I am a little confused about the torsion bars. It says that I "Loosen and remove the torsion bar anchor bolt and seat". Then it says to "Loosen, but do not remove the torsion bar socket on the rear of the lower control arm". Ok so I do that and I put on the new torsion bars. It says that i should tighten the torsion bar socket next. Do I wait till the end to put back on the anchor bolt and seat? Does my X still need to be on jack stands when I do this? And should all four wheels be jacked off the ground when I am working on the torsion bars? Help please.
Thanks,
David
Thanks,
David
OffroadX
05-06-2003, 09:59 AM
Give Calmini a call, they'll be glad to help you. 800-345-3305
Schludwiller
05-06-2003, 11:32 AM
First, you shouldn't have any weight on the a-arms when working on the torsion bars.
The reason they say to keep the front anchor loose is it makes fitting the t-bar splines between the front and rear anchor/seats easier.
The front a-arm seat should be secured tightly (back the way it was) after you have fit the splines of the t-bars front and rear in their respective holders. Then you tighten the t-bar anchor bolt to apply pressure to the t-bar.
Basically don't rest the car on it's weight, or apply pressure on the t-bars until both ends of the t-bar are secured.
BTW, I don't have a Calmini lift, but our club has replaced many t-bars. Be careful, there's a lot of pressure in those bars and make sure to call the manufacturer if you're unsure of anything.
P.S. At minimum, only the a-arm that you're working on needs its wheel weight removed until you're done with that t-bar. Some take the wheel off, others jack up the a-arm just enough to lift the tire off the ground. It's safer to not have any weight on the a-arm. Some put the front end on jack stands and remove both wheels.
You'll have to play around a lot with t-bar tension to get the truck level (try to find level ground and park straight as body lean can mess up your measurements). Also count the number of wrench turns so you can do the same on the other side. After that, take the truck in for an alignment, and plan on having to do it all over again when the t-bars rest and sag back some more. :)
The reason they say to keep the front anchor loose is it makes fitting the t-bar splines between the front and rear anchor/seats easier.
The front a-arm seat should be secured tightly (back the way it was) after you have fit the splines of the t-bars front and rear in their respective holders. Then you tighten the t-bar anchor bolt to apply pressure to the t-bar.
Basically don't rest the car on it's weight, or apply pressure on the t-bars until both ends of the t-bar are secured.
BTW, I don't have a Calmini lift, but our club has replaced many t-bars. Be careful, there's a lot of pressure in those bars and make sure to call the manufacturer if you're unsure of anything.
P.S. At minimum, only the a-arm that you're working on needs its wheel weight removed until you're done with that t-bar. Some take the wheel off, others jack up the a-arm just enough to lift the tire off the ground. It's safer to not have any weight on the a-arm. Some put the front end on jack stands and remove both wheels.
You'll have to play around a lot with t-bar tension to get the truck level (try to find level ground and park straight as body lean can mess up your measurements). Also count the number of wrench turns so you can do the same on the other side. After that, take the truck in for an alignment, and plan on having to do it all over again when the t-bars rest and sag back some more. :)
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