Spacers for cars: definition, types, impact on suspension and control
Content
First of all, when choosing a particular configuration, it is important to take into account the brand of the car and build on its technical indicators. For the front wheels, aluminum spacers were developed for installation in the suspension, but there are also more rigid, reliable samples, they are made of steel.
Vehicle owners think about how spacers affect the suspension of a car when trying to increase the ground clearance of a car, constantly encountering driving over significant bumps. Such additions are much cheaper than an adjustable system or reinforced springs, but it is important to understand whether the car's handling will become worse if the body is raised off the ground. It will not be superfluous to consider the purpose and appearance of the component, as well as their location, under springs, shock absorbers or struts.
What are spacers
When driving on country roads, car springs are able to compress strongly, thereby reducing the ground clearance between the body and the coating. To increase the clearance of the car, drivers equip their iron horses with spacers, making the suspension more practical when driving over bumps.
Spacers for the front axle of the car
Types of spacers and their effect on suspension and car handling
First of all, when choosing a particular configuration, it is important to take into account the brand of the car and build on its technical indicators. For the front wheels, aluminum spacers were developed for installation in the suspension, but there are also more rigid, reliable samples, they are made of steel. For mounting and retrofitting the rear axle, models are provided from materials such as:
- high density rubber;
- plastic;
- polyurethane.
More expensive products are designed using a special technology, such car parts have a steel core, and are clad on the outside with a polyurethane casing.
Plastic spacers
But in addition to all the positive aspects, such as improving the appearance of the vehicle, as well as protection against accidental damage when faced with significant bumps, it is worth noting the detrimental effect of the components.
Under the springs
Overcoming significant irregularities, the car owner may not worry about the integrity of the suspension, but over time, a person will notice uncharacteristic wear on certain chassis components. When self-equipping a vehicle, there is always a risk of overdoing it and excessively increasing the ground clearance, which will lead to a lot of embarrassing situations at the time of driving.
Spring spacers
Too much ground clearance will make the car unstable in corners, additions affect handling, which will become noticeably worse.
Under shock absorbers
Such an element is able to increase the carrying capacity of the transport, the drawdown after a full load will become insignificant. But such retrofitting should be resorted to only if the clearance is significantly underestimated, and installation can be made both on the front and rear springs. Often spacers for such purposes are made of steel and embedded in the compression element.
Under the racks
When choosing this approach to the implementation of the idea, the driver will subsequently be able to cross bumps and pits, never clinging to the bottom of the asphalt, as well as the ground. But we can’t talk about the maximum rigidity and reliability of the suspension, in a few months the owner of the vehicle will be able to notice changes in the angle of rotation of the wheels, the width of the wheelbase and intensive wear of the moving parts of the system. All the pros and cons must be weighed at the planning stage of retrofitting a car with spacers made of aluminum, rubber, steel or polyurethane.
