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Broeheem
Gen III
 
4/10/2002
21:57:44
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 Subject: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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A few months ago, I bought 18" rims and soon realized that I wanted to lower my truck slightly in order to lose the huge gaps between the top of the tires and the fender lips. Since I'm running 255/55/18's and have the R/T flares, my tires will never tuck, so a 2/3 drop seemed to be the way to go.
From everything I'd heard up to this point, Hotchkis was the best engineered system available, so cost aside... I went for it....
Now I'm wishing I hadn't.
The ride is WAY harsh. Really, I mean, if I had t*ts, they'd be on the floor by now. The rear leaf springs are creaking louder than what I would've expected from, say, an AIM product. Every stop. Every start. Every speed-bump. Squeak squeak squeak. The front-end is just as disappointing, and sometimes downright frightening. At speeds above 40 MPH, the steering wheel shakes and shudders, sometimes really violently. It feels as if a wheel could fall off at any time. Balanced and aligned TWICE, so that's not the problem.
I know there's someone else who's using Hotchkis... does any of this sound familiar?
I'm actually looking forward to buying taller tires and putting the suspension back to stock... when I can afford it (spent it all on Hotchkis, rims and tires). This blows. I love the look of the rims and the drop, but I can't handle this ride and it's accompanying loss of steering control.
Patriot Blue 2001 SLT Plus Club Cab
4.7L./multi-spd auto/3.55 LSD
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von dutch
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2002
23:35:35
|  RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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I have the exact same setup as you tires, rims, Hotchkis. I don't have any squecking or moaning but I will admit the ride is firm, I personaly like it that way seems more like a sports car.
I have the same feelings about the flares and what I did. wish i had no flares with 20's!
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golfinglenn
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2002
00:16:51
|  RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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What are the part numbers for your Hotchkis? If you are interested in selling them, I might be interested if they would fit a 2001 Durango 4X4.
Glenn
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HSKR
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2002
00:20:36
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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Who did the install?? Are you using the Bilstien shocks?? When was last time you greased the sway bars?? My ride is firmer than stock, but not what I would call "harsh".
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drtswinger
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2002
09:40:21
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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I have the setup you speak of and I'm going to have to agree. Mine started squeaking not to long ago. And its really easy to hear when there is wall for the sound to echo off of. The ride is not fun for me either. Every bump in the road is amplified. And my steering doesn't get scary, but it doesn't feel as solid and true as it did stock. on big bumps it seems to steer for me.. and no in a direction I want to go. Just my tack of the kit.
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bernd
*GenIII*
4/11/2002
13:32:34
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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On the alignment, did you use the recommended specs from their website or the factory specs? I had a similar problem with my Hotchkis kit until I changed to the specs on their website.
https://www.hotchkis.net/pdf_files/1912f_1913f_inst.PDF
1997 Dodge Dakota SLT - V6
Supercharged/Intercooled @ 10# w/Nitrous
14.55 @ 96.01mph
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Ctdak
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2002
16:15:32
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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I have the Hotchkis kit in the rear and it's not to harsh at all. The only harsh part is when there's a sudden drop in the road, it firms up real quick. I do have some noise just as I hit the gas from a dead stop, thats it.
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kevster
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2002
18:43:24
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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I have the Hotchkis 2/3 drop on my Dak 2K club cab 4.7 and I love it, no probs, I also use the RT wheels 17X9 with 275x50x17 Nitto tires. Make sure you have at least 1 inch between the front bump stop and the frame, i used bumps from Hotchkis. and the rears should have come with two in the rear spring kit.. I also use gas shocks for the drop application. and air in my tires is 40 PSI. When you were ready to torque rear leaf bolts and nuts common to the shackles,you do this with truck on ground in a rested state so springs are set. then torque nuts, For the Front coils are you sure you have them in the lwr arm Correctly? if not they will squeek.
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Broeheem
Gen III
4/11/2002
18:49:17
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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I talked to Hotchkis today, and have an appointment to have it looked at. It kinda sounds like I need (at the least) to upgrade the shocks (right now I have the ProComp 9000's) and have all the front-end components checked for proper TQ. The shocks are probably too long, even though the truck isn't lowered very much. Wish I woulda known this all along.... it BITES to hate your $25,000 truck.
Don't know about the squeaking yet, but I guess it'll get solved tomorrow.
Hotchkis is on top of their customer support. Other companies can learn a few things from them (ya hear THAT, AIM?).
Patriot Blue 2001 SLT Plus Club Cab
4.7L./multi-spd auto/3.55 LSD
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HSKR
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2002
19:21:58
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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Kevster
Unless you are hauling a lot of stuff in your bed or towing a lot, I woudl drop the rear tire pressure down to around 25-30psi, and the front tires down to around 35psi. Just some personal experience and also other owners inputs. There isn't enough weight in the rear to require them inflated to max psi. You will soon wear out only the center of the tread leaving a lot of good unused tread on outside of tire. This will extremely shorten tire life. I'm on my 5th set of tires on my R/T so I have a little experience with tires and what works on the R/T rims.
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kota on 20s
GenIII
4/11/2002
20:06:23
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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25psi? ummm, do you remember what happened when ford put 26psi in the exploders? if you under inflate the tires, you will wear out the sides of the tire before the middle. (the oppisite of over inflating wear)
i DO agree that putting a little less air in the rear than the front. this will dial in more over stear and the truck will be a little more fun to drive, and at the same time giveing you a better ride
Eric, 98 5.2 5speed, K&N gen II, 50mm TB, 2bbl M-1, 1.7RR's, JBA ciramic headers, carsound cat, dumped gibson, and a lot more
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HSKR
Dodge Dakota
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4/12/2002
01:46:23
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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Like I said in my post. I have had 5 sets of tires on my truck. I know what will work!!! I have only had one blowout in the five sets of tires. Caused by hitting somthing on the road and then a slow leak which deflated the tire. The Exlporers had the problem because they weigh more. We have half the weight of the Explorers on our rear tires. TRUST ME. anything above 32PSI in the rear tires WILL cause uneven wear on the center of the tread. I also own a R/T and drive my truck hard. If I have been under inflating my tries then I woudl have had more problems. I frequently go over 100mph for long stretches. Under inflated tires can't handle this, but I have never had a problem. Think what you will, but while you are replacing your tires with the centers worn out, I will still be using my even worn tires.
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kota on 20s
GenIII
4/12/2002
02:27:37
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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well if you have had no problems thats cool. i run mine between 40-44 when hot (i have to keep the pressure up, because of the load carring capacity of my tires).
they wear perfect. i am constintly monitering them. they cost 301.99 each, so i want to know if they are not wearing right.
Eric, 98 5.2 5speed, K&N gen II, 50mm TB, 2bbl M-1, 1.7RR's, JBA ciramic headers, carsound cat, dumped gibson, and a lot more
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HSKR
Dodge Dakota
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4/12/2002
14:07:49
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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20" wheels and tires are a totally different beast than the stock 17"s. You can't compare 20's to 17's. It's like comparing a Vette to a Escort.
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kota on 20s
GenIII
4/12/2002
14:14:59
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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ummm. i was compairing psi, not rim/rire combo.
Eric, 98 5.2 5speed, K&N gen II, 50mm TB, 2bbl M-1, 1.7RR's, JBA ciramic headers, carsound cat, dumped gibson, and a lot more
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kota on 20s
GenIII
4/12/2002
14:16:20
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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all i said was, at 40-44 psi, my tires wear evenly
Eric, 98 5.2 5speed, K&N gen II, 50mm TB, 2bbl M-1, 1.7RR's, JBA ciramic headers, carsound cat, dumped gibson, and a lot more
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Bluethunder
Dodge Dakota
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4/12/2002
16:21:21
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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yes, but you have lower profile tires no?
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kota on 20s
GenIII
4/12/2002
19:21:01
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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yes, and so does the R/T. it dosent really make a differance if it is a low pro or not.
Eric, 98 5.2 5speed, K&N gen II, 50mm TB, 2bbl M-1, 1.7RR's, JBA ciramic headers, carsound cat, dumped gibson, and a lot more
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HSKR
Dodge Dakota
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4/13/2002
04:24:32
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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Yes it does!! Lower profile tires need more pressure to keep the tire on the center since the sidewall doesn't flex as much. So I suppose 13" wheels and tires shoudl run the same pressure as your 20's?? According to your theory it shouldn't matter, but it does!!! All I'm saying is that on the last three sets of tires I've ran, I ran them at about 27psi on the rear and 32psi in front and they wear evenly. Ran the first two sets at 35psi and the centers wore out quicker.
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kota on 20s
GenIII
4/13/2002
21:59:01
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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well 13's have a max pressure of 35 lbs., so no i wouldnt run more than 32 cold in them. would YOU run a 13" rim on a dakota? if not, why are you compairing a rim and tire that has nothing to do with this conversation?
the 55 series that R/T's come with are low pro's too! ill give you that a 35 series is lower than a 55, but both are low profile. and have the same psi capibilities
<"Lower profile tires need more pressure to keep the tire on the center since the sidewall doesn't flex as much"
that statement dosent hold much water, because some tires have stiffer sidewall construction than others. if you take a 40 series michelin and compare it to a 45 series perelli, the michelin will have a more flexible sidewall even tho it is a lower profile tire. this is because of the way the sidewalls are constructed
like i said before, if you have had no problems, then cool. i have also had no problems.
Eric, 98 5.2 5speed, K&N gen II, 50mm TB, 2bbl M-1, 1.7RR's, JBA ciramic headers, carsound cat, dumped gibson, and a lot more
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HSKR
Dodge Dakota
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4/14/2002
03:48:09
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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Stating the series of the tire doesn't tell the whole story. 40 series tires can have taller sidewalls than 45 series tired depending on the width. But most people running 20's and I assume you as well probably have a 35 or smaller series tire and at least a 255 width. Now with the real short sidewalls you have the edge of the tire will tend to be used more requiring more psi to keep the edges from wearing first. And the reason I brought up 13" wheels is because you said that wheel/tire combos don't really matter, and it doesn't matter if it's lo profile or not,but it does matter!!
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kota on 20s
GenIII
4/14/2002
12:06:40
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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we are kinda beating a dead horse, but what the f*&%
what i said about the differant sidewall structures, i emplied that both were the same width. i should have been more clear, sorry.
the smallest sidewall any manufacture makes is a 35 series in a 20. the only reason i am running them is because i have a 4/6 drop. on a stock truck you can easily run a 45, if not a 50 series.
Hey broeheem, did you ever findout what was wrong with your suspencion?
Eric, 98 5.2 5speed, K&N gen II, 50mm TB, 2bbl M-1, 1.7RR's, JBA ciramic headers, carsound cat, dumped gibson, and a lot more
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kota on 20s
GenIII
4/14/2002
23:33:40
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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i just re-read what you said.
>Now with the real short sidewalls you have the edge of the tire will tend to be used more requiring more psi to keep the edges from wearing first.
that is not true. i have a friend running the same tire as me on a 99 accord (http://www.forbiddenfantasy.net/tony.htm). he runs 32 psi in them and has no problems wearing out he sidewall. the reason i have to run such a high psi is not because of "rollover", but because of the load carring capacity of the tire. the accord is lighter so he can get away with less psi.
Eric, 98 5.2 5speed, K&N gen II, 50mm TB, 2bbl M-1, 1.7RR's, JBA ciramic headers, carsound cat, dumped gibson, and a lot more
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HSKR
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2002
00:21:39
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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So you have a friend running the exact same size and brand of tire on an Accord?? If so, then the load carrying capacity should be the same. The only difference would be the actual weight on the tire. You probably have more weight on the wheel which woudl require more PSI. BUT.....once again, you can't compare a 17" wheel/tire combo to a 20" wheel/tire combo. It's just like comparing a Dak to an Accord with the same tire.
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kota on 20s
GenIII
4/15/2002
01:10:17
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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it dosent matter if i am comparing a 17 to a 20, or a 16 to a 24.
its the tire size that matters, not the rim. if i compaired a 275/40/17 to a 275/40/20, the tires would handle the same, and have the same loadcarring capacity's. if both were from the same tire manufacture, and same style.
i cant beleve this dragged on this long. how about this, you run what is best for you, and ill do the same. ;-)
Eric, 98 5.2 5speed, K&N gen II, 50mm TB, 2bbl M-1, 1.7RR's, JBA ciramic headers, carsound cat, dumped gibson, and a lot more
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Broeheem
Gen III
4/15/2002
01:32:01
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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I can't believe it's dragged on this long, either.... especially when it ended up having nothing to do with the thread subject.
Patriot Blue 2001 SLT Plus Club Cab
4.7L./multi-spd auto/3.55 LSD
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kota on 20s
GenIII
4/15/2002
01:33:38
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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LOL, no $hit! so what have you heard?
Eric, 98 5.2 5speed, K&N gen II, 50mm TB, 2bbl M-1, 1.7RR's, JBA ciramic headers, carsound cat, dumped gibson, and a lot more
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Broeheem
Gen III
4/15/2002
01:59:09
| RE: Irritating Hotchkis glitches
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Besides the fact that I was riding on my front bumpstops, nothing yet. I jig-sawed the bumpstops down, and the ride is better, but the steering wheel still shakes at higher speeds and feels loose.
I'll be seeing the R&D guys at Hotchkis next week.
Patriot Blue 2001 SLT Plus Club Cab
4.7L./multi-spd auto/3.55 LSD
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