Upping Your Ride: A Friendly Guide to Installing Coil Spring Spacers
So, you're looking at your trusty ride, maybe a bit low in the front, or perhaps you've got dreams of tackling rougher terrain or fitting those beefier tires you've always wanted. Whatever your motivation, there's a good chance you've stumbled upon the idea of installing coil spring spacers. And you know what? It's a fantastic, often overlooked, and surprisingly straightforward way to give your vehicle that extra bit of lift or a much-needed level stance without breaking the bank or diving into a full-blown suspension overhaul.
Let's be real, who doesn't love a vehicle that looks a little more capable, a little more assertive? Coil spring spacers are essentially discs – usually made from durable polyurethane, aluminum, or steel – that sit either above or below your existing coil springs (or sometimes directly on top of the strut assembly). Their job is simple: to increase the effective height of your suspension, giving you a bit more ground clearance or compensating for factory rake. Think of them as a little boost, a secret sauce for your suspension.
Why Go the Spacer Route? Understanding the Appeal
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of the install, let's chat about why spacers are so popular. For many of us, a full lift kit with new shocks, springs, control arms, and all the bells and whistles is either overkill for our needs or just plain too expensive. That's where spacers shine.
Cost-Effectiveness: This is probably the biggest draw. Spacers are significantly cheaper than a complete suspension lift. You're typically looking at a few hundred dollars, not a few thousand. That leaves more cash for those bigger tires, right?
Simplicity: While it's still a job that requires tools and some mechanical aptitude (or a good buddy who has it!), installing coil spring spacers is generally less complex than a full suspension swap. You're working with your existing components, not replacing everything.
Leveling: Many trucks and SUVs come from the factory with a slight "rake," meaning the front sits a little lower than the back. This is by design, intended to prevent the front from sagging too much when towing or hauling. But for daily driving, it can look a bit… off. Front coil spring spacers are perfect for bringing that front end up to match the rear, giving you a perfectly level stance that just looks right.
Accommodating Bigger Tires: More lift means more room in the wheel wells. If you've been dreaming of going up a size or two in your tire choice, spacers can often provide just enough clearance to make that dream a reality without rubbing issues.
Are Spacers the Right Choice For You? The Honest Truth
Now, as much as I love coil spring spacers for their practicality, they're not a magical cure-all for every situation. It's important to have realistic expectations.
- Mild Lift: Spacers typically provide a mild to moderate lift, usually between 1 to 3 inches. If you're aiming for a monster truck look, you'll need to explore other options.
- Ride Quality: Because you're using your stock springs and shocks, the ride quality won't fundamentally change much. If your stock suspension is already tired and bouncy, spacers won't fix that – you might need new shocks and springs regardless. In some cases, a very tall spacer can slightly stiffen the ride because it preloads the spring more.
- Off-Roading: For extreme off-roading, where maximum articulation and durability are key, a full-blown lift kit with longer travel shocks and custom springs is usually the superior choice. Spacers are great for light to moderate trail use, but they don't change your suspension's geometry or travel capabilities significantly.
So, if you're looking for an affordable, relatively easy way to level your vehicle, gain some ground clearance, or fit slightly larger tires, then installing coil spring spacers is definitely worth considering.
Before You Get Your Hands Dirty: Prep and Safety First!
Alright, friend, let's talk shop. This isn't a job you want to rush or skimp on safety. Remember, you're messing with your vehicle's suspension, which is critical for handling and stability.
Safety Gear is Non-Negotiable: * Jack stands: Multiple, heavy-duty ones. Never, ever rely solely on a floor jack. * Wheel chocks: To secure the wheels that are staying on the ground. * Gloves: Save your knuckles. * Safety glasses: Because nobody wants suspension parts in their eye.
Tools You'll Likely Need: * Floor jack: A good, sturdy one. * Torque wrench: Absolutely crucial for tightening everything back to spec. Don't guess here. * Socket set and wrenches: Various sizes, especially larger ones for control arm bolts. * Breaker bar: For those stubborn, seized bolts. * Penetrating oil (like WD-40 or PB Blaster): A lifesaver for rusted bolts. * Spring compressor: Maybe. Some strut spacers allow you to install them without disassembling the strut, but many coil spring spacers require you to compress the spring to get it out and back in. If you're not comfortable with a spring compressor (they can be dangerous if not used correctly), consider taking the struts to a shop to have the spacers installed, or rent one from an auto parts store. * Pry bar: For leverage. * Mallet/hammer: For persuasion.
Pre-Installation Check: * Read the instructions! Every spacer kit is slightly different. Yours will have specific steps. * Watch a few YouTube videos: Seeing the process done on a similar vehicle can clarify things immensely. * Take "before" measurements: Measure from the center of the wheel hub to the fender lip at all four corners. This helps you confirm your lift and ensure everything is even.
The Gritty Bits: A General Walkthrough of the Install
Okay, assuming you've got your tools, your safety gear, and a good plan, let's conceptually walk through the process. Keep in mind, this is a general overview; your specific vehicle and spacer kit might have slightly different steps.
Chock and Jack: Park on a flat, level surface. Chock the wheels that are not being worked on. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheels you'll be removing, then jack up the front (or rear, depending on where you're installing the spacers) of the vehicle and support it securely with those jack stands. Make sure it's rock solid before you even think about getting under it.
Wheel Off, Brake Lines Safe: Remove the wheel. Now, take a good look at your brake lines and ABS sensor wires. As the suspension drops, these can get stretched or damaged. It's often a good idea to unclip them from their mounting points to give them some slack. You might also need to remove the caliper and hang it safely out of the way – never let it hang by the brake line!
Making Room: This is where the real work begins. To get your coil spring (or strut assembly) out, you typically need to disconnect a few things.
- Sway Bar Link: Usually, a bolt holding the sway bar link to the lower control arm needs to come off.
- Lower Control Arm Bolt(s): Often, disconnecting the lower control arm from the spindle (the steering knuckle) will allow the most downward travel. Sometimes, you'll need to loosen or remove the bolts holding the lower control arm to the frame to get enough droop.
- Strut Mount Bolts (if installing a strut top spacer): If your spacer goes above the strut, you'll unbolt the top of the strut from the frame.
Coil Spring Removal / Strut Disassembly:
- For in-coil spacers (those that sit between the coils or above/below the spring itself): You'll need to get the coil spring out. This usually involves carefully lowering the lower control arm all the way down (hence the need to disconnect things). Once the tension is off, you might need a spring compressor to safely remove the spring from its perch. This is where extra caution is needed.
- For strut top spacers (most common, especially in the front): You might not even need a spring compressor! Once the lower control arm is disconnected and the strut is unbolted from the top, the entire strut assembly can often be removed. The spacer then bolts to the top of the strut, and the whole assembly re-installs. This is generally the easier method.
Installing the Spacer:
- For in-coil spacers: Once the spring is out and possibly compressed, the spacer goes into its designated spot – either on the top or bottom spring perch, or sometimes directly into the coil itself.
- For strut top spacers: Bolt the spacer to the top of your existing strut. Then, you'll re-install the entire assembly.
Reassembly – The Reverse Order (Mostly!): This is where your pry bar and a buddy come in handy.
- Get everything back in place. It often requires a lot of wrestling, lining up holes, and maybe jacking up the lower control arm slightly to get bolts aligned.
- Reconnect everything you disconnected. Sway bar links, brake lines, ABS wires, etc.
- Torque everything! This is non-negotiable. Consult your vehicle's service manual or a reliable online resource for the correct torque specs for every single bolt you touched. Over-tightening can strip threads, and under-tightening can lead to disaster.
Final Checks and Other Side: Put the wheel back on, lower the vehicle, and repeat the entire process for the other side. You'll likely want to do one side completely before starting the other.
Post-Install Must-Dos: Don't Skip These!
You're almost there! Your ride is looking taller, but you're not quite done.
- Settling In: Drive the vehicle around for a few miles, even hit some bumps. This helps the suspension settle. Re-torque your lug nuts after about 50 miles, just to be safe.
- Alignment, Alignment, Alignment! This is critical. Any time you alter your suspension height, your alignment will be thrown off. Driving with bad alignment wears out your tires prematurely, affects handling, and can even be dangerous. Get it to an alignment shop as soon as possible after the install. Tell them you've installed a lift.
- Check for Rubbing: Turn your wheels lock-to-lock, both forward and reverse, and check for any rubbing in the wheel wells, especially if you also went up a tire size.
My Takeaway: Enjoy the View!
Installing coil spring spacers is a fantastic modification for many drivers. It's a relatively easy way to achieve that sought-after leveled look or gain a little extra clearance without breaking the bank. The feeling of accomplishment when you finally stand back, wipe the grease from your brow, and see your rig sitting perfectly level or a little taller, ready for those bigger tires you've been eyeing – that's something special, believe me.
Just remember: safety first, take your time, get the right tools, and don't skip that alignment. Happy wrenching, and enjoy your newly enhanced ride!