Fofiddy wrote:From what I've seen they are non servicable just stamped and welded.

Thanks Fofiddy, any ideas as to which company makes the shock absorber component of the OME system...? Any ideas as to which company makes the spring component? Thanks.

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Fofiddy wrote:Blink where did you go to get your's lined up?

I got mine done at Vespia Tires. IIRC they are a NJ or NJ/NY only deal. I swear I freaking HATE going to any type of mechanic shop in NJ. I went to Firestone first and literally waited 15 minutes at the counter before leaving. Noone ever came to help, they saw me through the windows in the service area. And it's not like the place was so busy they couldn't take the time. Needless to say I'll never be going there again.

The guys at Vespia weren't able to get the rear pax perfect but overall it's in-spec. They were explaining to me that if they adjusted any more either the camber would be way out of wack or the rear toe overall would be out of wack. I currently would not hesitate to go back there again as they were courteous and explained things to all customers that didn't sound like complete and total lies (pretty much everyone on this board isn't a complete fool when it comes to their vehicles so it's pretty easy to discern when some one is trying to rape you). And they did try to up-sell people on products and services but w/o pressure. Only time will tell though if they are a reputable place.

Ok Back to the alignment issues and General OME FYI:
Heard back From Nils at ARB today He is telling me to run it for 1000miles and then take it somewhere reputable to be aligned. He and the Engineers were surprised to see the rear toe that out of whack. * Then again these guys think this lift is only 1.2" front 1.6" the rear (either way we should all re-aim our lights as a result...too bad for the fogs) *
Earlier he suggested taking it back to a Nissan for the alignment which makes me nervous. Under my preconcieved notions I'd prefer to go 3rd party for the alignment:

1) How many allignments does a Nissan Service shop do a day? (repetition ensures proficiency)
2) If they have someone else do it why pay the overhead?
3) Won't touch it because of the lift?

Others Views are welcome... Unless you've posted over 350posts in the last 7 months. Then I feel pretty safe to say on behalf of myself and many others here: you need a new hobby, perhaps HAM radio. I've heard it can be very time consuming.

First..... hahahhaaha I love it. Now on to the info.

Fofiddy wrote: 1) How many allignments does a Nissan Service shop do a day? (repetition ensures proficiency)
2) If they have someone else do it why pay the overhead?
3) Won't touch it because of the lift?

1) I bet if the place is big enough that they do enough in a week to be reliable. Of course dealership quality varies wildly as you have found out. Cherry Hill Nissan did a good job on my Sentra.

2) Good point. No reason to.

3) I had no issues with the lift. But they did say they couldn't align the path because their reflectors couldn't clamp on the wheels with the over-sized tires. I would imagine that with a small lift like this no-one would out and out turn us away because of it. Now if it was the Calamini or something else ridiculous then we'd all be heading to the 4x4 shops.

So in general, are you guys happy with the OME suspension lift? Sounds like there are some problems with alignment and VDC and at least one report of issues at speeds over 65 mph. Should I get the thing, or not?
Like they said, maybe after 1k miles and a good align, problems will be gone... let me know your opinion.

Thanks

pdslug wrote:So in general, are you guys happy with the OME suspension lift?

I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. I would definitely use a smaller size tire though.

Even though I'm still ironing out some issues, the kit is totally worth the money (so far). Despite my consistent mid 13mpg AFE I've been volunteering the Path for road trips allot... That’s how much of an improvement it is. The ride is nothing short of soothing. Seriously, I've only been in one road rage incident since the installation. It's a lot more money than the Airlift, but overall you get way more satisfaction with the OME. The Airlift is more of a Band-Aid for a crappy factory suspension. If they made the Pathfinder in an Infiniti variant I'd expect it to ride/handle like the OME does. Perfect example: My GF and myself are driving from the same friends house the last 2 nights. I took my Pathfinder the first night while She drove the Jetta the next. We hit the same patch of roadwork probably a sharp 2" depression for 15 feet with it's raised counterpart at the end. She hadn't thought anything of it since the Path simply went "piff-piff" over it the night before. Unfortunately the second time around in the Yetta it felt more like a 2ft drop that bottomed the suspension out so violently I thought the car seat had violated me.

I haven't had a chance to test my theory just yet but I think the suspension will also help with travel comfort over long distances. Being over 6' tall I found that the short thigh supports in the seats transmit allot of road harshness that will give me a dull nagging hip pain after the 6th straight hour of driving. After 14hrs I was ready to drive off the side of the Apps round KY WV.

As for Fuel Eco I'd also go back to a 30.5” tire (of higher than OEM quality). I lost allot of acceleration just by going up that 1" to 31.6". I couldn’t imagine 32.6” tires with the way I drive or Carl’s 33” TKOs without at the very least a supercharger and some diff/axle work. It would look ridiculous, since AT 31.5” tires look a tad small IMO but whatever, if your a function over form sort of guy... less searching when towing uphill with heavier loads, lower rotating mass/un-sprung weight (something going with a bigger rim and less rubber does not do for you)… tons of pro’s over looks. That is, for the way most folks utilize their Paths (other than soccer mom/grocery-getter duty).

Fofiddy wrote: I lost allot of acceleration just by going up that 1" to 31.6".

Since I started my PF life with that size, I can honestly say it is an awesome ride. Far more power than a couple of the old v8's I've had. I wouldn't hesitate doing the OME all over again & I pretty much agree that 265/75/16s are about as large as one would want to go.

Thanks for the comments.
I have the 265\75\R16 tire size, so I will stay with that size. Actually I have been very happy with the suspension that came with the off-road model. However, I really need a little more ground clearance, and since I am approaching 50k miles, the suspension is getting slightly more bouncy than it used to be.

pdslug wrote:Actually I have been very happy with the suspension that came with the off-road model.

I was too, at least until I took it into an off road situation that made it bottom out all too frequently. That's just not a good feeling.

Come on folks, keep it civil please.

Getting my OME installed today...

4 Wheel Parts is doing it, and they are having problems with the alignment in the rear. They called ARB, who said the problem is they don't make a kit for the 2007 Pathfinder. Mine is a 2007.

Anybody else with an 07 have issues?

05-07 are identical. I'm having the exact same problem. Alignment shop said it had to do with the rear bushings being frozen on the lower links. I ordered new lower links from Courtesy and expect them monday. I'll reinstall realign and report.

So far I think there might be a case building against ARB USA unless the new lower links and bolts fix the problem.

I don't see how it could be frozen bushings, and I assume you mean frozen as in stuck tight as opposed to weather related.

I was thinking it may have something to do with the spring isolators, maybe don't use both as in stock?

I spoke with another guy at ARB who confirmed it should work for 05-08.

What I don't understand is why so many others have no probs. The last kit I had on there was Rancho quick lift, same height, alignment was not perfect, but it worked. I know there can't be that much variation in how each Pathfinder is built, which leaves the springs....maybe ARB has put out a bum lot?

'fo: Did you get your alignment redone at Firestone?

Socal: yep Firestone's lifetime alignment. They told me the rubber had seized around the sleeve and then torqued the rear alignment cam bolt to display that it would move (what appeared to be enough to put it to spec) but it would return to where it started as soon as he took tension off the bolt. I didn't really grasp the concept since it showed movement and I figured they could just torque the nut on it to keep it place. I'll need to physically inspect the new parts when they get in to get the whole picture.
But I will humor them and replace the LL's in the rear since it's less than $100 all said and done if I do the labor.

I thought it might have been spring isolators as well but everything is supposed to be put back exactly as it was per ARB. So what is the problem?
1) not enough cam travel
2) ARB/OME F'd up and failed to do their homework on the US model. Take your measurements and compare them to ARB's expected #s.

I'm yet to see anyone other than Ragpoa to get the alignment dead nuts on. The common point for most folks alignment being off spec is the rear toe. Then again this is only my speculation perhaps the new Lower link/bushings are the solution. I aim for puddles at speed so under body components seizing aren't beyond the realm of possibility