Spacers to increase ground clearance, which material is better?

Material characteristics

This model is a cylinder shape that is mounted under shock absorbers and suspension springs. Different materials of manufacture, density and dimensions of spacers for increasing ground clearance are determined by the purpose of installation on the front or rear of the car body. As a rule, the choice of one spacer or another does not depend on the make of the car: most parts are universal.

The material used to make parts can be divided into metal (steel or aluminum) and non-metal (polyurethane, plastic). Metal spacers are mounted under the spring, and non-metal spacers are mounted above the spring.

To have a clear idea of the subject, you can watch the installation of a spacer to increase ground clearance with your own hands in the video.

We install spacers to increase the ground clearance of Kalina (rear)

In the West, most modifications to the chassis involve lowering the ground clearance, increasing the rims and reducing the tire height. In general, everything is to increase suspension stiffness and reduce ground clearance (clearance). With us, everything is exactly the opposite! Everyone is trying to increase the ground clearance in order to install bigger, thicker, and softer wheels!

There is nothing surprising here if you look at it, but it’s better to take a ride along “our” roads once. Factory wheels and ground clearance are sorely insufficient for normal movement on public roads; there is always a risk of hitting the pallet, breaking the bumper, etc. As a result, spacers for increasing ground clearance have become almost the most popular product for the majority of Russian motorists.

The price of spacers to increase the ground clearance is ridiculous compared to how much it costs to repair the above-mentioned body parts. The solution to this issue was the so-called spacers, which allow you to increase ground clearance. Spacers to increase ground clearance are installed at the front above the springs and at the rear, either under or above the strut.

In this article I will tell you how to raise the rear of a VAZ 2117 using spacers. The work is not difficult, and anyone who has an idea of what do-it-yourself car repair is can do.

To work we need to prepare:

Two jacks;
Set of keys (standard);
Liquid WD-40 just in case;
And, of course, the spacers themselves to increase the ground clearance of the VAZ.

What is it for?

There are two reasons for raising the vehicle's ground clearance:

off-road driving;
sagging of springs over time.

To restore the spring to its original position, special spacers are used. The ideal option would be to replace old springs with new ones at a service station; however, car owners widely practice installing spacers to increase ground clearance with their own hands. If previously, increasing ground clearance was achieved by introducing tennis balls into the springs, now car dealerships sell special spacers of various thicknesses.

Pros and cons of the clearance operation

Is there really a need to tune the suspension, and will such a change damage the car? Before installing aluminum spacers under the springs, let’s pay attention to the positive aspects of the changes:

protection of the rear suspension, underbody and crankcase from breakdowns;
protection of the rear wheels from impacts on the fender liner;
increasing the vehicle's off-road capability.

The disadvantages of installing a spacer under the springs with your own hands include:

failure of the lower shock absorber mounting;
additional load on the bottom bracket;
car instability on an icy surface;
impairment of vehicle controllability due to a shift in the center of gravity;
rapid wear of steering parts;
imbalance of wheel alignment.

After tuning, the car owner needs to pay more attention to the suspension in general and shock absorbers in particular.

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“Fucking basin. "

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Spacers as a means of increasing ground clearance

Alternative shock absorbers may have a longer rod, which will provide more suspension travel. We discuss these subtleties in the topic “which shock absorbers are better to choose.”

Replacing springs to increase ground clearance

The car body hangs on springs, so they have a direct impact on ground clearance.

Springs 2108 are installed on the front suspension of the VAZ 2110 car as standard. “Tens” with 16kW internal combustion engines are equipped with reinforced springs 2112. In addition, suspension springs are divided into two classes “A” and “B”.

If you prefer to load your car to capacity, then perhaps you should choose class A springs (yellow), because... They hold a little more load.

The rear springs of cars of the tenth family are also different. For example, springs 2112 are lower, but more elastic, and 2111 are higher, but softer. Anyone interested can check out the selection of rear springs on the forum or in the topic “which springs are best to choose.”

Do not forget that if the spring is very strong, then the rebound stroke of the shock absorber decreases (the shock absorber does not work, the suspension does not function), and there is a lack of ride comfort (the car is “goat”). As a result, rapid failure of the shock absorber.

Spacers for springs

Spacers are made of high-strength rubber, do not deform and are able to support the weight of the car.
They are installed between the spring and the body. If the spring sag, then no spacer will save it, because in such a spring the interturn distance is reduced. Riding on such springs is already becoming dangerous, because the stroke before the coils close is reduced. It’s a different story when such a spacer is placed on a normal spring and a working body. In this case, it will increase the ground clearance, but at the same time the rebound stroke will decrease and the compression stroke of the shock absorber will increase, which in general is also not very pleasant. The third case is when the spring is normal, but the ground clearance has decreased due to body aging. In this case, the spacer will not harm the car.

It is worth noting that VAZ did not approve the spacers.

Depending on the configuration of cars of the tenth family, wheel rims are installed with a 13th or 14th radius. If you replace the standard wheels of a car with wheels of a larger radius, then no matter how you look at it, the vehicle's ground clearance will increase. As well as replacing tires with higher ones (for example, 175/55 R13 to 175/65 R13).

It is important to know what size of wheels and tires is the maximum permissible for a particular car (data for wheels/tires according to VAZ 2110). I wouldn’t be surprised if, after installing high tires, the wheels start to touch the fender liners.

Install houses on the rear suspension of the car

Negative consequences of increasing clearance

When the center of gravity rises, the car's roll and sway increase while driving. To prevent a rollover, it is important that the vehicle's suspension is adjusted correctly. An example would be a tall Mercedes A class when it capsized in front of journalists during the “moose test”. Then they delayed the release of the car and began to modify the chassis. It all ended with increasing the elasticity of the suspension and replacing the wheels with low-profile ones. You can combat vehicle roll by installing various additional stabilizers.

Source

What to choose?

What are spacers made of to increase ground clearance? The choice of material depends on the design of your machine. In the front compartment of the car, spacers made of metals are mounted: steel or aluminum alloys. It is recommended to place rubber or plastic products under the rear springs.

Which spacers are best for increasing ground clearance? Firstly, you cannot install any spacers over 30 mm thick. Secondly, polyurethane products can cause damage to the body by steel bushings due to rapid wear.

Aluminum products are the most reliable, although they cause corrosion at points of contact with the body. In practice, plastic spacers have shown themselves to work well to increase ground clearance, without revealing any serious shortcomings. Rubber material is the cheapest, but is prone to tearing, deformation and rapid wear.

About the body and suspension lift

How to influence the clearance level?

How to increase ground clearance in a car? If you install wheels of larger diameter and profile, the ground clearance will certainly increase. It is interesting to consider an example of such a forced impact when using wide 215x55xR15 tires. When the profile increases by 5%, the increase in gap is 1 mm. Adding another five percent to the profile will increase the gap by 2.5mm.

If you are inclined to increase your wheel size, you should go back to the factory recommendations. The maximum size of tires installed at the factory reaches 185x60xR14 for the standard Lada Kalina 2 and 185x55xR15 for the “Cross” version. Theoretically, a tire size of 195x40xR17 can be installed, but the risk of tire contact with the wheel arches when driving over bumps and other consequences for the suspension, which can cause premature wear due to increased wheel weight, must be taken into account.

In addition, increasing the height of the tire can shift the center of gravity upward, which reduces handling. Another important aspect is the risk of deformation of the rubber profile of the tire under the influence of the same increase in weight. Again, there is a risk of rollover when cornering at higher speeds as body roll inevitably increases.

We also note the positive aspects of widened wheels. This is not only an increase in ground clearance, but also a better ability of the body as a whole to perceive road irregularities. Traveling by car is endowed with softness and smoothness. Now you know how to increase Kalina’s ward.

Installation Rules

To properly make spacers for springs with your own hands, you need to take into account some nuances:

Setting the ground clearance above 30 mm leads to wheel alignment problems.
It is not recommended to install metal products that have not been pre-treated against corrosion.
It is recommended to raise the front of the body by no more than 20 mm.
The rear compartment of the body is raised by no more than 30 mm.
If the shock absorber is not located next to the spring, spacers should be mounted under the springs and shock absorbers to balance the structure.

How to influence the amount of clearance?

Installing tires with a large profile and diameter helps to forcibly “raise” Kalina’s ground clearance. Let's look at the example of wide tires 215/55/15. By increasing the profile of such a tire by 5%, the ground clearance will increase by 1 cm. If we add another 5% to such a tire, we will get an increase in the car by 2.5 centimeters.

When increasing the standard wheels on the Lada Kalina, you must remember the manufacturer's recommendations. The maximum tire size installed at AvtoVAZ on a regular Lada is 185/60/14, on a Cross - 185/55/15. Tire sizes up to 195/40/17 can be installed. When installing tires of this size or larger, you need to think about how the wheel does not touch the arches when turning, as well as other consequences.

If you increase ground clearance by installing larger wheels, pay attention to the distance to the arches. If the wheel does not touch the wheel arches when the vehicle is loaded, then there may be contacts at full load. Keep this in mind.

Increasing the tire height shifts the Lada's center of gravity upward. Another consequence of increasing the profile is that weight increases the likelihood of rubber deformation. Consequently, the risk of rollover increases when entering corners at high speed (more roll). However, in addition to increased play, larger wheels provide an advantage. Impacts from road imperfections are absorbed more smoothly, resulting in a smoother ride.

In any case, by installing tires larger than the passport size, you take responsibility for your safety.

The SS20 company brings to your attention the CROSS20 suspension kit, which increases the ground clearance of your car by 30-50 mm. The CROSS20 suspension is installed on front-wheel drive cars VAZ 2108-2110, LADA Kalina, LADA Priora, LADA Granta.

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Applicability

VAZ 2108
VAZ 2110
VAZ 2170-72 (LADA Prioress)
VAZ 1117-19 (LADA Kalina)
VAZ 2190 (LADA Granta)

Advantages of the CROSS20 suspension

greater geometric ability of cross and elevated sitting position;
wide track;
greater smoothness of the path;
improved driving performance;
optimal ratio of stiffness of front and rear anti-roll bars.

One of the important characteristics of a car suspension is ground clearance. Vehicle height is the distance from the lowest parts of the vehicle, such as transmissions, exhaust components, or component guards, to the road surface. The amount of ground clearance, or ground clearance as it is often called, largely determines the versatility of a car. In fact, the increased ground clearance allows you to park anywhere without fear of bumpers and the underbody of the car, safely overcome uneven surfaces, drive out of town on country roads, and navigate normally between snow and ruts in winter. It is important that high ground clearance allows for increased visibility, which increases traffic safety both in heavy traffic and on country roads.

If you decide that your car should have more ground clearance, you can choose full-frame SUVs, crossovers or modifications of regular cars with higher ground clearance (for example, Renault Sandero Stepway). Each of these options has its pros and cons, and the large price difference between SUVs, crossovers, and higher ride height variants makes the latter a steal.

What prompted us to create an off-road suspension for VAZ cars?

The appearance of a single-wheel drive crossover (pseudo-crossover) on the automobile market is caused by the need to adapt popular car brands to the most difficult road conditions in Russia. A pseudo-crossover - a car with increased ground clearance and wheel diameter, as well as reinforced suspension - is more suitable for our roads and winter road conditions. Creating a crossover with a significant improvement in driving characteristics based on the Kalina was the goal of the CROSS20 suspension.

If you decide to radically transform your car, significantly improving its handling, stability, comfort, reliability and cross-country ability, the SS20 company offers you the CROSS20 suspension kit, in which improvements have affected the following elements:

front shock absorbers,
rear shock absorbers,
unit,
forearm
front stabilizer,
steering,
silent blocks,
a rear stabilizer appeared.

As a result of these complex modifications, the following benefits are achieved when installing the CROSS20 suspension:

The increased cross-country ability and high seating position inherent in crossovers are ensured by increasing the ground clearance to 50 mm.
The track increased by 30 mm gives the car greater stability.
The stroke increases by changing the settings of the shock absorbers and the rigidity of the silent blocks.
The driving performance of the car has improved.
The optimal ratio of stiffness of the front and rear anti-roll bars reduces body roll when turning and maneuvering; This ensures reliable traction between the wheels and the road.

An increase in ground clearance of 30 mm is ensured by the design of the front and rear shock absorbers with an extended body and special settings of the valve system. A further increase in ground clearance of 20 mm is achieved by replacing the standard 175/65 R14 tire and R14 wheel with a 185/65 R15 tire and R15 wheel.

Thanks to redesigned front arms and brackets, the track is increased by 30 mm.

The strut-mounted front anti-roll bar is more effective, increasing vehicle stability on the road and reducing roll when cornering. For added rolling resistance, the CROSS20 suspension is equipped with a rear anti-roll bar, which is not supplied from the factory.

The modified design of the front and rear suspension silent blocks with modified rigidity and geometric dimensions slightly improves the suspension kinematics and is also aimed at increasing ride comfort.

Today, the CROSS20 suspension, which increases ground clearance, is produced for the following cars:

VAZ 2108, g,
VAZ 2110, g,
VAZ 2170-72 (Prioress),
VAZ 1117-19 (Kalina),
VAZ 2190 (concession).

The CROSS20 suspension comes with a 1 year unlimited mileage warranty. Warranty service is provided regardless of whether the system to increase the area was installed independently or at a service center.

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The quality management system of NPP Sistema Technologies LLC complies with the requirements of GOST R ISO 9001-2015 (ISO 9001: 2015)

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The quality management system of NPP Sistema Technologies LLC complies with the requirements of GOST R ISO 9001-2015 (ISO 9001: 2015)

If the future owner intends to use his car in the absence of roads with ideal surfaces, he should take into account such a significant indicator as ground clearance. This situation is also relevant for the small domestic car Lada Kalina in sedan and station wagon body styles, the volumetric cost of which will be discussed in our material.

The model's technical manual indicates the clearance parameter at full load. It will be interesting to analyze the official numbers indicated with the results of measurements made using a tape measure. Some enterprising owners are able to increase ground clearance by installing larger diameter wheels, but this “homegrown technology” has its drawbacks.

Front installation procedure

How to install spacers to increase ground clearance in the front part of the body? To do this, follow the recommendations:

We lift the car with a jack, remove the tire, disconnect the braking system and the stabilizer link.
We install other bolts of the required size on the rack (the old ones do not fit in length).
We fix the spacer to the bolt and assemble the entire structure to its original state.

For greater clarity, you can see the diagram for installing a spacer to increase ground clearance with your own hands in the drawings.

Rear installation procedure:

We disconnect the thresholds under the loading compartment lid and the rear door area.
Move back the rear seats.
We remove the panels and leave one body.
We remove the wheel.
We install the bolts according to the example of the front part of the body.
We assemble the structure in reverse order.

If the word “jack” causes you vague anxiety, and the idea of the location of the bolts seems unclear, watch the procedure for installing a spacer under the springs in the video.

When creating a car, design engineers calculate every millimeter, establishing a certain balance between the parts and assemblies of the vehicle. Any change made to the design of a car in order to improve technical characteristics introduces a certain imbalance into the overall structure.

It is not always possible to increase the cross-country ability of a car designed to drive on asphalt. No matter how hard you try to change or improve the condition of the suspension using various manipulations, you will not be able to improve the design to the condition of an SUV. Either buy an SUV, or resign yourself to driving on city highways.

What ground clearance did the manufacturer claim for Kalina?

Any manufacturer faces the difficult task of removing as much as possible the components located along the bottom “line” of the Lada Kalina body from the roadway in order to protect them from damage. These are not only suspension elements, but also separate pallets, pressure pipes, etc. The question of how to “hide” a fuel tank is especially relevant, because the fact of the consequences of its damage is no secret.

The manufacturer indicates the size of the gap, indicating several control points from which the measurement was made. So, in the manual, or more precisely in its section “Basic parameters and characteristics” (pages 133-136), two clearance values are clearly indicated, measured as follows:

from the roadway to the lowest point of the crankcase;
from a similar point of the drive device onto a level road surface.

These values were measured after the Lada Kalina car was given the weight load at the standard maximum. This parameter is easy to calculate: you need to subtract the empty weight from the total weight value. The load is influenced by the engine type and equipment level. On average, this parameter reaches a value of 450-500 kg. The clearance value given in the manual will only indicate its value if the vehicle is assigned a 500kg load.

Both sedan and station wagon body styles of the second generation Lada Kalina model have the following ground clearance:

from the lowest point of the engine - 160 mm;
from the same point of the mechanical transmission - 160 mm;
from the machine - 145 mm.

If we touch on the Kalina Cross version, its ground clearance compares favorably with the large side. Here the standard values state that this value from the cylinder block to the road surface is 182 mm, and from the drive - 187 mm. This value is valid for all versions of engines and gearboxes.

What is it about

Before you figure out what spacers are to increase ground clearance, you need to figure out what ground clearance is. clearance, in other words ground clearance , is the distance between the lowest point of the car body and the road.

Actually, why does a motorist need to increase the ground clearance? As already mentioned, various situations can lead to the fact that the ground clearance is reduced (damage to springs and fasteners, for example), or the factory one was not high enough. A car is, first and foremost, a means of transportation. A vehicle that sits tightly to the ground will not be able to drive without damaging the underbody. This can have a serious impact and make the car unsuitable for driving, which is why the question arises of increasing the distance to the road. Also, increasing the ground clearance is of interest to people who like to drive off-road.

So, increasing ground clearance is often done using special spacers. This is especially common in the case of subsidence of “native” springs. These spacers are spring mechanisms or additional fasteners. They cope with the task of increasing the clearance very well. Moreover, the procedure for attaching such magnifiers is the most accessible, since they themselves are not expensive - one spacer can be purchased for a price of 1000 rubles .

Air cylinders also cope just as well as spacers . It turns out even cheaper, and a “healthy” car with working springs does not suffer.

However, to decide whether such a modification is necessary, risk factors must also be taken into account. Of course, this idea has plenty of advantages, but it is not without its disadvantages - one way or another, any change in the “native” design always lies on the conscience of the motorist, and no one gives guarantees for its effectiveness. Before deciding to modify to increase ground clearance, weigh the pros and cons.

Kalina's stated ground clearance

The “means” of all the bulky units are collected under the bottom of the car. Some are visible to us from under the hood or from the side of the wheels. But the bottom is not going anywhere; the manufacturer has to move it as far as possible from the road surface. Under the car there are suspended parts of the engine compartment, levers, a beam, a suspension stabilizer and bulky exhaust system structures with a muffler and catalyst.

From the outside we only see the opening of the fuel tank. And this 50-liter Kalina tank must also be located rationally, because its shape is important for the proper functioning of the fuel system. In addition, the space for placing the tank is limited. Don't forget the spare tire, which is attached to the bottom of the trunk.

AvtoVAZ indicates several points from which the clearance of the Lada Kalina is measured. The manual for a regular Kalina prescribes two ground clearance values in the section “Parameters and main characteristics of a car with a hatchback body (station wagon)” (pages 133-136):

from the road surface to the lowest point of the engine casing;
to the gearbox.

It should be borne in mind that these parameters were measured at the moment when the vehicle receives full load. Also, according to the instructions, we calculate the value of the full load specifically for your Lada Kalina. The curb (empty) weight must be subtracted from the maximum permissible weight. The column with this indicator is located above the space column.

Depending on the type of engine and configuration of the Lada, the weights vary slightly. On average, a full load of Kalina is 450-500 kg. Therefore, the distance from the road to the crankcase / gearbox will be the same if your car has an additional weight of 500 kg.

For both Lada Kalina 2 bodies, the distance to the internal combustion engine is indicated as 160 mm. At the lowest point of the manual transmission - 160 mm, automatic transmission - 145 mm. The numbers for the off-road version of Kalina Cross are much higher. The 2022 operating manual specifications indicate that the distance from the engine crankcase is at least 182 mm, and to the gearbox - at least 187 mm. This value is for all engines and for manual and robotic transmission options.

If you do not want to buy a Kalina with a manual transmission, know that the passport authorization of a regular Kalina with an automatic transmission is less than the distance of a Lada Cross with a 42 mm robot.

Pros of this idea

A modification that has only disadvantages usually disappears quickly. The installation of spacers continues to this day. Therefore, there are significant advantages to this.

The advantages of spacers include:

Increased cross-country ability . It will become easier to drive the car off-road; various bumps and unevenness will be overcome without difficulty. The likelihood that a car driving over hillocks will “sit on its belly” is reduced. In such unpleasant situations, the help of outsiders is usually required.
Reducing the likelihood of damage . When actively driving off-road or even sharply braking on a flat road with low ground clearance, the percentage of damage is always high; you can accidentally scratch the bottom, damage components: fuel lines, wiring, small parts, etc. There may not be anything “vitally important” located in the lower part of the car, but serious damage can cost the life of your iron friend.
Preventing "accidental touches" . The car’s bumper or lower body will no longer touch various bushes, curbs and other objects that can be found on uneven terrain.
Improving the appearance of the car . One way or another, with high ground clearance, even a Soviet passenger car will look more impressive.
The ability to maintain normativity . There is a certain standard for ground clearance for each brand of car. When it decreases excessively, the vehicle becomes uncontrollable or difficult to control, which is rarely liked by the owners. When installing spacers, it is possible to maintain the standard.

Disadvantages of spacers

But, of course, there is a fly in the ointment in this barrel of honey. The question “to put it or not?” would not have arisen if spacers had only advantages.

The following factors may serve as arguments for rejecting this idea:

, which was provided by the manufacturer, shifts Because of this, some extraneous processes occur during operation, which one day may result in serious problems with the car.
Stability and maneuverability deteriorate significantly, and control problems appear: problems with turns. This is partly due to the shift in the center of gravity.
High percentage of incorrect alignment or camber . This leads to inevitably rapid wear of the tires on the wheels and the tires themselves, and sometimes even ensures the death of the car without wheels - it depends only on the “zeal” of the installers. More about wear – the tires will begin to wear unevenly, which often causes the thought “I’ll replace them if they’re completely damaged.” But wear continues precisely at the point of first manifestation.
Installing spacers is a direct waiver of the warranty on shock absorbers and an agreement to be ready to replace them at any time.
Reviews from car owners who have undergone this procedure say that after installing the enlargers, the components of the car's chassis wear out significantly .
There is always the possibility of going overboard . With self-modification, there is a high percentage of cases when the ground clearance is increased too much, the car becomes even more unstable and uncontrollable.

Actually, the installation process.

We drive into the pit, jack up the rear part by installing jacks under the beam.
We remove the wheels, then we process the bolts of the struts, which we will unscrew.

Unscrew the fastening bolts. Problems often arise here, since the chassis is constantly in contact with the road, where there is dirt, water and, as a result, corrosion and soured bolts.

After the bolt is unscrewed, remove the shock absorber from the mounting socket.

Install the spacer as shown in the photo or according to the instructions.

Important! There are many examples online where, due to improper installation of spacers, the strut mount broke off while driving. After this, the owner “got” to replace the struts and, as a rule, became an opponent of all kinds of spacers. However, as practice shows, the problem is not in the spacers, but in the “crooked” hands of the installers. Therefore, in order not to repeat this, be vigilant! Install spacers correctly, according to the manual or as shown in the photo.

We combine the ear of the stand and the ear of the spacer, and then tighten the bolt. It is better to lubricate the bolt itself with graphite grease or “extreme” grease; this will simplify the process of unscrewing it in the future.

Next, we repeat all the above steps in relation to the second rack. Then we put the wheels in place, remove the jacks and check the work.

Source

The problem of insufficient clearance

A lot of owners of passenger cars during operation are faced with one problem - the low ground clearance of the car, which is why, when overcoming bumps, the car clings to the bottom until it hangs on its belly. This is especially true in winter.

Moreover, the problem with insufficient ground clearance can arise both with new cars, which are structurally designed with low ground clearance (such cars are popularly called “puzoterki”), and with models with ground clearance that is, in general, quite acceptable, but due to shriveled springs suspension, there was a decrease in it.

And anyway, what driver doesn’t want to bring his car at least a little closer to crossovers and SUVs in cross-country ability.

And the easiest way is to increase the ground clearance.

Replacing factory springs

Standard springs are replaced with springs having a larger number of turns. This method requires replacement of shock absorbers, correspondingly large financial costs. But, new springs are much more reliable than spacers and will last much longer.

Reinforced springs

Springs tend to “sag” over time (the photo shows a comparison of new springs and old ones after a mileage of 44,000 km). Therefore, those who like to transport heavy objects should think about installing reinforced springs.

This technique is most often used for vehicles that operate under constant load, for example, transporting cargo or passengers with luggage .

By strengthening the springs, the vehicle's ground clearance does not increase. This procedure prevents the vehicle from sagging under full load, allows you to maintain the factory ground clearance, and minimize the risk of damage to the underbody on uneven sections of the road surface.

Strengthening the springs allows you to increase the service life of the chassis as a whole, but the comfort of traveling in an unloaded vehicle decreases.

Ways to increase clearance

There are several methods for increasing ground clearance, but when choosing the optimal one, you should take into account what problem is being solved - increasing the ground clearance to improve cross-country ability or eliminating the consequences of flat springs.

One of the easiest ways to increase ground clearance is to install larger diameter wheels on your car. This solution can really help add a couple of centimeters between the bottom and the road.

But there are many negative aspects here - installing such wheels will be expensive, the clearance will increase, but the distance between the wheel and the arch will decrease, and the load on the suspension and transmission will increase. In general, this method is not the most optimal.

You can increase the stiffness of worn-out springs, thereby reducing body vibrations when driving over uneven surfaces, not only by replacing them (which is also not always cheap), but also by installing elastic elements between the coils of the springs.

Their main task is to resist compression. Previously, ordinary tennis balls were used for these purposes (and now for some, such tuning is quite relevant).

Now you can simply buy special rubber spacers that are installed between the turns. This modification of the suspension only increases the stiffness of the springs and has virtually no effect on ground clearance.

You can also increase ground clearance by completely reworking the chassis and installing an air suspension instead of the usual one. But this is a very expensive option.

Installing spacers is the easiest way to increase both ground clearance and spring stiffness.

There is no need to modify anything in the car suspension, they are inexpensive, or you can make and install them yourself.

The essence of this method comes down to adding special substrates under the shock absorber struts between the body and the support (increases ground clearance), or between the support and the spring (increases rigidity).

It's simple: the spacer will prevent the shock absorber strut from becoming all the way (resting against the body), as a result the load-bearing part will rise relative to the wheel, thereby increasing the ground clearance.

As for spacers to increase rigidity, after assembling the strut the spring will be in a more compressed state.

Real car clearance measurements

Let's determine the ground clearance without applying the previously specified regulatory load. How to do it? Let's use a tape measure. We summarize the results of real measurements in a table.

An interesting experiment was carried out, the purpose of which was to check the veracity of the ratio of the ground clearance of the Lada Kalina in its usual version in comparison with the “Cross” version. For this purpose, 4 measurements were performed. The ground clearance was measured from the road surface to the side sill with the preliminary installation of a jack. For the purity of the experiment, it was necessary to place both cars in identical conditions. Both Kalinas were presented for testing with empty interiors and luggage compartments, as well as with a minimum of fuel in the tanks.

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The regular version of the Kalina was shod with 14-inch radial tires of 175 width and 55 profile. The “cross” variation received 15-inch tires, the width and profile dimensions of which were respectively “195x55”.

The first to be measured was the Lada Kalina 2 in its standard version. In the no-load state, the ground clearance reached 198 mm. During the measurements, the “cross” version received a ground clearance of 217 mm.

At the next stage, 4 people were seated in the test cars one by one. When loaded, a regular station wagon gave a ground clearance of 170 mm. When Kalina Cross was loaded, the clearance level dropped to 192 mm. As a result, the additional weight managed to lower the ground clearance of the regular version by 28 mm, and the Cross version by 25 mm. Here, a modified suspension and wheels with a larger diameter played a role.

What are spacers made of?

Manufacturers of auto parts and accessories have already noticed that spacers are in demand, so they have already started producing them.

Moreover, different materials are used for their manufacture:

Polyurethane and rubber are elastic materials themselves, so they can compress during use, which allows vibrations to be dampened to a greater extent.

At the same time, polyurethane is very resistant to negative environmental influences, so it can last for a long time.

But the design of such spacers often uses metal bushings in the bolt holes, and this is their disadvantage.

When compressed, these bushings come into contact with the body, and corrosion may appear at the point of contact.

Although rubber is subject to “aging,” such spacers do not contain any metal elements, so they do not have any negative effects on the body.

On a Suzuki Escudo it looks like this:

Aluminum spacers are highly durable, but since they are metal, corrosion may occur at the point of contact with the body.

Plastic is better in this regard. It is also durable, but will not rust. Therefore, rubber and plastic spacers are optimal for installation on cars.

Moreover, it is noted that it is advisable to use spacers made of durable materials on the front suspension, and elastic ones on the rear suspension.

In addition, you cannot increase the ground clearance indefinitely using spacers.

Their thickness should not exceed 3-5 cm; the use of thicker substrates will lead to a significant deterioration in the car's handling.

Photo gallery: tuned Lada Kalina station wagons

White lowered Kalina with spoiler, body kit and alloy wheels

This Kalina has cross rails and stylish chrome sills

The owner of Kalina installed funny “eyelashes” on the headlights of his station wagon

This Kalina has an inexpensive plastic body kit combined with a plastic spoiler.

The owner of this station wagon got rid of the standard Kalina headlights, installing more stylish backlit lights

Body kits from the “I’m a Robot” series are very popular among Kalina owners

This station wagon seamlessly combines black and white colors

On this Kalina, the bright xenon headlights catch your eye

The red plastic body kit of this station wagon goes well with the white alloy wheels

The owner of this Kalina replaced only the rims and taillights

So, you can tune almost any passenger car, including the Kalina station wagon. But a car owner who is tuning his car must have a strong sense of proportion. Without this, he risks turning his car into a laughing stock.

Installation algorithm

Installing spacers to increase ground clearance (in the case where they will be placed between the strut support and the body) is not difficult, and it can be done independently.

The following is the general sequence of work for their installation. It is suitable for almost any car, but it is worth considering that each model has its own specific nuances.

To install spacers at the front you need to:

Jack up the wheel and remove it from the car;
We disconnect the levers and steering tips from the rack;
Unscrew the nuts securing the strut to the body;
We lower the rack down and turn it so as to provide access to the upper support;
We remove the “original” bolts from the support (knock them out), put elongated ones in their place (to prevent the bolts from turning when tightening the nuts, it is better to weld them to the support);
We put a spacer on the bolts;
We install the stand in place and secure it with nuts;
Let's put everything back together.

Then the operation is repeated on the other side. After installing the spacers, the wheel alignment angles must be adjusted.

The underlays are installed on the rear suspension in approximately the same way. That is, we disconnect the rack from the body, change the bolts, install a spacer, and put everything back together.

The only thing is that after assembly work, adjustment of the angles will not be required.

But this describes the installation of spacers on passenger cars, where MacPherson struts are mainly used at the front.

But there are also machines that have a different spring design, which is why the supports are often installed under the springs. This is all shown more clearly below.

Lada Kalina Station wagon "Kalinka" › Logbook › Installing spacers (houses) under the rear pillars

Good day everyone. It's no secret that if you use the Lada Kalina (and any front-wheel drive VAZ) not only to transport yourself, but also to the dacha, bring building materials, etc. The elasticity of the rear springs leaves much to be desired. How it was for me. I planted two guys 120 kg + me 65 kg + 50 l. in the tank and + 30-40 kg of potatoes and that’s it. I drove 280 km on asphalt and the result was that the rear fender liners were worn out on uneven roads (you know what the roads in Russia are like). I put the patches on. I decided to install spacers (houses. How I did it. 1). I took off the wheel. I cleaned everything that I will unscrew from dirt; 2). Unscrewed the lower bolt and nut securing the strut to the beam;

3). I took a pipe, inserted it into a round hole in the beam, pressed it, installed a spacer and screwed it on with a bolt (it comes included); 4). I secured the stand to the spacer with the original bolt and nut;

5). Installed the wheel. 6). On the other hand, we perform all operations in the same way; 6). I finally tightened the bolt and nut that secures the strut to the spacer (it is necessary to tighten it when the suspension is loaded). 7). Adjusted the brake force distributor (“sorcerer”). Place the car on a flat surface and rock the rear of the car several times to begin the adjustment.

After adjusting the regulator, test the brakes in action. Accelerate the car to 40-50 km/h and brake. If the regulator is adjusted correctly, the front wheels will lock first and the rear wheels should lock immediately, but not vice versa.

Adjustment is needed to set the start of braking of the rear wheels relative to the front wheels at different vehicle loads.

Note on installing spacers. The spacers must be installed correctly, otherwise the rack will break and the lower ear of the rack will come off under load. The spacer must be installed so that the lowest (which is attached to the beam) hole has two (in which the greater distance from the lower end faces the inside of the car, and the shorter distance faces the wheel).

The bolts and the construction must be located on the same line.

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Homemade spacers

Any spacers are structurally simple, so they are not difficult to make. Moreover, this process is quite creative.

Some make them by simply cutting them out of an old tire, others use ebonite, steel, polyurethane and other materials.

Any tools are good for making. At home, a drill, jigsaw, files, etc. may be useful for this.

Those who have the opportunity to use a lathe simply turn them from blanks.

In general, any suitable material can be used for manufacturing, and it can also be processed with different tools and equipment. The only important condition is compliance with the dimensions.

For cutting, you can try to find drawings, and if they are not there, then focus on the dimensions of the components of the suspension (for example, a spacer for a spring is made based on the diameter of the spring itself and its seat).

In general, if you want to make spacers at home, it is quite possible.