We install spacers to increase the clearance with our own hands

Most motorists living in Russia like foreign-made vehicles. But everyone is well aware that such a purchase can not always bring positive impressions. The reason is buried in the quality of our roads. The best solution to this problem may be to increase the vehicle's ground clearance. What spacers to choose to increase the clearance with your own hands and how to install them - find out in this article.

To avoid damage to the underside of the vehicle body, it must be raised. This is enough in most cases. As a rule, we drive used vehicles, therefore spring sagging is often observed over several years.

Therefore, special spacers are used to restore the original position of the springs. This decision is more important for owners of large cars. Of course, the best option is to replace the springs with new ones, but due to the crisis and the rise in the price of the dollar, prices for car parts have risen and many have begun to save money, so let's decide to put spacers under the springs and enjoy the results of the work.

Features of using spacers to increase ground clearance

Which spacers to choose depends on the characteristics of the vehicle. Usually, in the front of the car, spring spacers made of steel or aluminum are used. But under the rear springs, it is better to mount spacers made of rubber of special density or plastic elements.

do-it-yourself spacers to increase ground clearance

A set of spacers can be found at an auto parts store or ordered online. Their cost starts from 1000 rubles and more. The front spacers look like a box on which holes are made for fastening. But for use on the rear springs, ring-type spacers are used, which have lugs.

Although the spacers have really great advantages (they allow you to increase the ground clearance, and also increase the vehicle's cross-country ability), you need to take into account some of the disadvantages of this solution:

• Steering parts fail much faster;
• An increase in ground clearance leads to a change in the center of gravity of the vehicle, due to which its handling becomes worse;
• Shock absorbers start to work differently than before;
• The suspension structure of the vehicle loses the required rigidity, after which the size of the wheelbase, as well as the toe and camber of the wheels, change.

The choice of material for spacers

For all, it is recommended to use spacers only when it is no longer possible to use other methods to obtain the required road clearance of the vehicle (in case of springs settling).

It is not recommended to put spacers under the springs, the thickness of which is more than 3 centimeters.

Another important point that must be taken into account is the material from which these elements are made. For example, polyurethane spacers to increase vehicle clearance have one huge drawback.

how to increase the clearance of a car with your own hands

Since they have a body made of polyurethane and constantly interact with bushings that are made of steel, polyurethane wears out soon enough during its use. As a result, steel parts can significantly damage the vehicle body. Spring spacers made of aluminum are considered to be more reliable. Of course, they are not ideal either, and have their drawback, which is the frequent appearance of rust.

There are other materials from which spacers are made, the functional features of which are almost the same. Many car owners purchase parts made of plastic, the significant shortcomings of which have not yet been identified.

How to increase the clearance of a car with your own hands

After purchasing the spacers, the car owner will have to decide where and who will mount them. You can trust professional workers at car repair stations, or you can install spacers and thereby increase the vehicle's clearance with your own hands. If the second option is more to your liking and you have chosen it, then read on. So, the installation process is carried out in the following sequence:

1. Raise the car with a jack, remove the wheel, disconnect the brake hoses, unscrew the two fastening nuts located on the front pillar;
2. Pull out the rack by first unscrewing a few more nuts located on the upper support of the rack;
3. Go to the "finalization" of the rack. You will need to knock out the standard bolts, as they are not large enough to use the spacers. Then you need to install other bolts of a suitable length;
4. Fix the spacer to the bolts and reassemble in the reverse order. If the spring of the transverse rack interferes, you will have to support this part too so that it reaches the hole, and then fix it. Alternatively, use another jack.

Increase in clearance. With your own hands.

How to install spacers on the rear pillars

In order to raise the rear of the car body, spring spacers are also installed. There are already used standard rubber spacers. This decision does not lead to deterioration of the body, and also does not affect the functional parameters of the vehicle.

Installation is carried out in the following order:

1. Disconnect the sills under the trunk lid and in the area of ​​the rear doors;
2. Move the rear seats forward as far as possible. Remove the luggage compartment trim and trim, side panels, which are located near the rear seat. Only the car body should remain;
3. Using a jack, raise and remove the rear wheel;
4. Unscrew the nuts from the top and bottom, remove the support and see if you need to change the bolts, as is the case with the front of the car. It should be noted that due to the lack of a skirt seal, non-standard bolts may not hold well. The way out can be the use of welding;
5. Place spacers under the springs and reassemble in the reverse order.

an increase in the clearance of the spacer by 30 mm.

Questions and answers:

What are the best spacers to increase ground clearance? Compared to metal counterparts, polyurethane spacers are elastic (they do not deform upon impact, but take on their original shape) and are resistant to heavy loads.

Can spacers be used to increase ground clearance? If there is an urgent need to increase the ground clearance at the cost of comfort in the cabin and increased loads on the supporting body parts, then this makes sense.

How to increase the ground clearance yourself? In addition to spacers, you can install enlarged discs, high-profile rubber, extended springs, additional springs (for leaf spring suspension), inter-turn pillows.