Written by Wes Whitworth and Jess Olson
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So your 4X4 needs a bit of a lift, but you don’t want to (or can’t yet afford) a completely new suspension system. Don’t worry, there are options available. One inexpensive way to improve the look of your vehicle is to use spring spacers. They work by levelling it out or allowing the fitment of bigger (taller) tyres.
We’ve shared the ins and outs of spring spacers, including whether they’re legal in Australia, why you might fit them and some of the issues they may cause.
Are spring spacers legal in Australia?Yes, spring spacers are legal in Australia, insofar as there is nothing within VSB14 stating that they’re illegal. If you want to know more about vehicle modifications, then VSB14 is the document for you. LS Section is where you’ll want to go for suspension rules.
However, what you can’t do is use extended shackles on leaf packs. They’re frowned upon by, well, pretty much everyone. Despite the fact they do essentially the same as a coil spacer, the springs just move around a lot more.
Spring spacers are discs that sit on top of your springs in a coil-equipped vehicle. Whether a solid-axle coil-sprung 4X4 or an IFS rig with coil-over-strut set-ups, they work under the same principle. As the name suggests, they space your spring down a set amount from the spring seat. This equates to lift on your four-wheel drive. They usually come in sizes ranging from 25-50mm, unless you’re in the U.S. and you have 12-inch spring spacers. They’re cheap, easy to fit, and a solid alternative to changing out springs.
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They’re usually made from metal, rubber, or polyurethane, with the obvious advantage of each going along with it. Namely that the metal ones are absolutely solid, the rubber ones are a bit squishy but don’t rust, and the polyurethane ones are essentially in between and don’t rust either.
Aside from their longevity, the main difference comes down to price.
Spacers are often used to add a touch of lift (say 25mm), and they achieve this without changing the spring rates of your current suspension. What they don’t give you is any extra wheel travel. However, they are useful for levelling your vehicle or if you’re looking for a cheap (first step) in building up your vehicle and have fitted taller tyres and need some extra clearance.
Due to being a pretty solid material, they’re a guaranteed height/lift amount. They’re easy to install, and are rather versatile in how and what you can use them with. Unfortunately, they’re not perfect, and there’s a reason for that. It is true that spacers are generally used as a first step in a vehicle build, but nothing beats a perfectly designed and tailored suspension set-up to suit your vehicle.
Drawbacks of a spring spacerSpring spacers have the same issues as a full suspension upgrade, in that you can bust CV’s, struts, upper control arms (UCA), ball joints and suspension geometry.
The whole lot of it, if you don’t do it properly.
Where this becomes an issue is that with a proper high-quality suspension kit, you may well get a diff-drop kit, extended brake lines and adjustable UCAs… the works. This will make sure everything works exactly as it should. But they’re rather expensive, especially when you put them against a set of $100 spacers. So if you are going to throw a set of spacers in, make sure you’re thinking about the accompanying mods to go along with them.
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If you’ve got your springs already dialled in exactly how you want them, rate wise, they offer a bit of lift, while leaving everything else alone.
The main issue with spacers is that you’re just increasing height. This will then limit the amount of suspension droop you have. This adds stresses to the suspension, potential fouling issues and more, like the strut bottoming out before it reaches the bump stop. It can also stiffen the on-road ride.
This can negatively impact wheel travel and reduce the bump stop clearance reducing up travel. It can also potentially force the coil too close to the control arm on some makes of 4X4 (Toyota HiLux we are looking at you).At the end of the day, which way you go will depend on a few factors like what you’re actually trying to achieve. Think about cost, ride height, use, ride quality and just simply levelling out your four-wheel drive. But you’ll also need to consider the potential risks involved, like damage to other componentry, coils fouling on control arms, CV joints being over-stressed and more.
Essentially, what you’re gaining on one hand (a bit of extra room for taller tyres) you’re taking away with the other because you’re messing with the suspension’s travel. This can upset your vehicle’s ride and handling.
It tends to be a more expensive exercise but there is no substitute to loading up your four-wheel drive as if you’re about to go away.
Or having a ‘normal’ load in it, taking it into your local quality suspension mob and sitting down with them to get the right springs and shocks off the bat. Even if you’re not having a full suspension upgrade, it’s worth discussing your vehicle with a reputable suspension mob, on whether spacers will work and the type to buy.
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Torsion Spring Spacers are available and listed by suspension type, not by vehicle.
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61-35-017-A
Click here for more information Includes (1) Pair of Torsion Spring Spacers for Ski Doo R-Motion and R-Motion X equipped.
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$ 52.95 USD
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61-35-000-A
Click here for more information Includes (1) Pair of Torsion Spring Spacers for Ski Doo SC10/SC3/SC2 equipped snowmobiles. GSX / Trail...
$ 47.95 USD
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61-35-001-A
Click here for more information Includes (1) Pair of Torsion Spring Spacers for Ski Doo SC4 equipped snowmobiles. GSX / Trail /...
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61-35-021-A
Click here for more information Includes (1) Pair of Torsion Spring Spacers for Ski-Doo SC5 equipped snowmobiles.
IMPORTANT: These Torsion Spring...
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61-35-003-A
Click here for more information Includes (1) Pair of Torsion Spring Spacers for Ski-Doo snowmobiles with a SC5M / C-Motion and SC5-U...
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61-35-002-A
Click here for more information Includes (1) Pair of Torsion Spring Spacers Vehicle Application Summit Rev models 2007 and.
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$ 47.95 USD
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61-35-018-A
Click here for more information Includes (1) Pair of Torsion Spring Spacers for Ski Doo T-Motion equipped snowmobiles. Application: 2012+...
$ 52.95 USD
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61-35-004-A
Click here for more information IMPORTANT: These Torsion Spring Spacers are available in two sizes... 61-35-004-A Includes (1) Pair...
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61-35-008-A
Click here for more information Includes (1) Pair of Torsion Spring Spacers Fits: 2009-2011 FX Nytro SE 2011+ FX Nytro.
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$ 39.95 USD
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61-35-006-A
Click here for more information Includes (1) Pair of Torsion Spring Spacers Fits: 2008+ FX Nytro Std 2008-10 FX Nytro...
$ 42.95 USD
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61-35-005-A
Click here for more information Includes (1) Pair of Torsion Spring Spacers Fits: 2007+ Phazer, All models TORSION SPRING...
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Price for 2 air bellows and 2 bumpers + instructions For passenger cars and SUVs, there are super-reinforced corded bellows for heavy loads. Pneumocylinders (pneumopillow) with a side or bottom valve 1. Wholesale and retail 2. Delivery across Russia shopping mall: CDEK, Energy, PEK, Russian Post 3. Front and rear spacers are available for springs, struts, shock absorber supports. Air springs Applicability Outlander, Pajero Sport, Colt, Lancer 10, Space Star, Lancer 9, l200, charisma, galant, pajero 3, shariot grandis, diamond, Outlander, Pajero, Colt, Lancer, Space, L200, Carisma, Galant, Chariot Grandis, Diamante, xl, gd1, ge6, rk6, tiggo, t11, amulet, a13, bonus a13, handicap, fl, m11, 210, 124, 212, w204, w203, w211, w212, w210, 202, stratus, hatchback, cobalt, rezzo, epica, tacho 900, srv, fit, civic, chord, 1 2 3 4 5, 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2008, freed, stream, rd1, 4d, shuttle, odyssey, pilot, tsv, stepvagon, partner, spike, 5d, jazz, shuttle, airwave, insight, orchia, element, xc90, s60, xc70, s80, 940, 40, 90, 60, 70, 80, x trail, almera, example, laptop, teana, tiida, qashqai, sunny, serena, pathfinder, example p12, xtrail, teanu, patrol, hell, pathfinder r51, elgrand, note, teana j32, terrano, qashqai j10, march, navara, cube, sunny fb15, wingroad, tino, p11, example p11, serena c26, avenir, micra, wingroud, maxima, laptop e12, almera n16, laptop e11, patrol y61, serena c25, liberty, beetle, maxima a33, bodice, rover Rover, Fielder Fielder, Corolla Corolla, Prius Prius, Marina Marea, 244, c4, Berlingo Berlingo, c3, jumper, b9, solano, x60 x60 x 60, smiley, x 60, breeze, solano 2, vesta, granta, cross, largus, viburnum, priora, x ray, x ray, 16, prioru, Vesta, Granta, cross, largus, XRAY, X RAY, Logan Logan, Duster Duster, Megan Megane, Scenic Scenic, Symbol, Laguna Laguna, 4x4 4x4, Sandero Sandero, Kangoo Kangoo, Stepway, Fluence, Koleos, Kaptur, Astra, Vectra, Zafira, Korsa, Astra h, Omega, Mokka, Astra j, Vectra b, Astra n, Omega B, Corsa d, Zafira b, Astra g, Meriva, Antara, Insignia, Cadet, Combo, Astra F, Vectra C, Nexia, Matiz, Gentra, Lanos, Nexia, Matiz , gentra, Lanos, Persona, mk, emgrand, mk cross, emgrand ec7, atlas, emgrand x7, sk, Lacetti, Cruz, Niva, Lanos, Aveo, Orlando, Captiva, wagon, t250, t300, sedan, trailblazer, premium Premio, Vitz Vitz, Voxy Voxy, Raktis, 120, Alfard, Vista Vista, 40, Auris, Hilux, Sienta Sienta, 20, 110, Spacio Spacio, 200, Noah, Funkargo, Raum Raum, Corona Crown, Platz, Karina e e , Aqua Aqua, Harrier, Estima Estima, Highlander, Alfa, Passo Passo, Vish WISH, Rav4 Rav4 RAV4, Corolla, Probox Probox, Avensis Avensis, Camry Camry, Karina Carina, Kaldina Caldina, 150, Ipsum, AI 30 AI30, Tussan, Creta, ix35 ix35, x 35 x35, hd, i30, caravan, caliber , caravan 4, caliber, optima, carens, mojave, picanto, rio, serato, seed, sorento, soul, spectrum, sportage, cerate, 1 2 3 4, td, 2008 20092010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Albea Albea, Ducato, Doblo Doblo, 250, Hayes Hiace, 30, Tundra, Verso, Yaris, Prado 150 Prado, East Ist, Sprinter, Crown, T25 T 25 T25 T25, Sai, V50 V 50 V50, Fortuner, Vitara Vitara, Grand Vitara, Liana Liana, Escudo Escudo, Jimny Jimny, Swift Sx4, sx4, Splash 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013, Pacifica, Voyager, 300c, Pacifica, Voyager, 300c, 308, 307, 206, 407, partner , 406, 207, 107, 408, Boxer, Boxer 3, Tipi Partner, 3008, 4007, 607, B5, Jetta Jetta, Polo Polo, B3 Passat Passat, Bora Golf Golf, Sharan Sharan, Touareg, T4 Transporter, B6, Turan, Tiguan, 5, a3, a4, a5, a6, b3, b4, b5, c3, c4, c6, a3, a4, a5, a6, b3, b4, b5, c3, c4, c6, Kyron Kyron, fx 35 FX, fx, qx80 qx 80, Focus Focus, Mondeo Mondeo, Fiesta Fiesta, Fusion Fusion, Transit Transit, Explorer Explorer, Fusion n, kuga Kuga, s max C-Max C Max, ranger Ranger, s max, Maverick Maverick, mk5, escape Escape, escort, 3, 6, demio, 5, surname, gh, gg, premasi, bk, mpv, 626 bl 323 dw3w , Kodiak, Felicia, Superb, Roomster, Yeti, Forester Forester, Legacy Legacy, Impreza Impreza, Outback Outback, sg5, sh, Tribeca Tribeca, sj, bp5, Vibe vibe, Be46, e36, e39, e90, e70, e34, e30, e60, e46, e36, e39, e90, 5, e70, e34, e30, Solaris Solaris, Elantra Elantra, Accent accent, Santa Fe Santa Fe, Getz Getz, Matrix matrix, Sonata Sonata, Tagaz, Tugaz, terrakan Skoda Subaru Audi Peugeot Volkswagen
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Puzotero winners are envious. , which, with their impressive ground clearance, can handle neither dirt nor snowdrifts. And brushing away tears of envy from their eyes, they study the Internet in an attempt to find out how to raise a low sedan a couple of cherished centimeters. Three ways to increase ground clearance, and three reasons not to do this - in the material of the AvtoVzglyad portal.
Victoria Bazyleva
Before you run to the auto parts store, you should ask yourself: why? Well, you “pump” your four-door, not designed for off-road expeditions, and then what? In addition to ground clearance, there are also such concepts as, say, exit / departure angles. Even with increased ground clearance, a car for city roads will not turn into an SUV. You can't argue against nature - or the geometric cross-country ability specified at the factory in our case.
No? Is it useless to answer? Then consider the simplest way to "increase" the ground clearance - the installation of rubber with a higher profile.
For example, if the car is now “standing” on tires 215/55/R15 (55% of 215 ~ 118 mm), then they can be given up on tires with a size of 215/65/R15 (65% of 215 ~ 140 mm), which will increase the clearance by 22 mm, respectively.
Photo: www.boomer.sk
Everything would be fine, but besides the plus - the only one - this method has several disadvantages. Firstly, by installing non-standard tires, you risk increasing fuel consumption. Secondly, to confuse the computer and "break" some systems that read information from the wheels. And this is not to mention the fact that too high tires can rub against the arches, which also does not bode well.
Another option is to install special spacers (preferably polyurethane) between the springs and body cups, if we are not talking about inter-turn parts. This method is more efficient because it gives a greater increase in ground clearance. However, everything is not so simple here either: making changes to the design of the chassis - and you, in fact, are doing this - are fraught with negative consequences that will certainly overtake you.
These include accelerated wear of parts and suspension mechanisms, deterioration of handling. Those who have performed such a manipulation also complain about “rolling” in corners, vibrations, harder running gear, increased maintenance costs ... And all for the sake of some three centimeters. It's worth the candle, don't you think?
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Photo: bumpersuperstore.com
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Almost all the same “charms” await those who, having abandoned the idea with spacers, decide to put on the car with large non-standard springs the number of turns. The procedure, let's say right away, is not cheap, because in addition to buying reinforced springs, you will need to purchase long-stroke shock absorbers. And put aside the money for the similarity collapse - it will also be needed.
Official dealers will not be able to raise their LADA Granta or KIA Rio - servicemen at the "white" service stations do not install spacers, nor do they change springs for non-standard ones.
