Spring spacers? How bad can it be?

OneSixty

OneSixty

Forum Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2018
Messages
117
Location
Outer Perth Area, Western Australia
Car Year
2003
Car Model
SG Forester 2.5X
Transmission
5 Speed Manual
I was wondering how bad suspension spacers are (or how good the stock springs are). Just wanting to know if it's best to get bigger springs and shocks or if spacers will lift the car the same and not have a rough ride.
 
If carrying load you would need stiffer springs. Good shocks are always important. There are always compromises when modifying a car. Most changes for off road use make the car worse on road. Where does the car spend most of it’s time and how far do you want to go. A lot of people lift their cars when there is no need just because that is what everyone else does. Or to show off. If not carrying loads go for the lift kit. If carrying a load start with raised heavy duty springs then maybe a lift kit later
 
suspension spacers are not bad in any way if they put on OEM struts /springs. not on some aftermarket crap. stiffer spring makes your daily drive much more harder and then you loose in offroad with stiffer springs.
 
exactly . you need to be loaded all times with those stiffer springs.but what if you not .
 
Spring spacers (fits between the coils of the spring) are illegal in Australia & are a really bad idea.

Strut top spacers are the best way to lift, they keep the factory suspension travel & have inbuilt camber & caster compensation.

I recommend stock suspension or Kings standard height springs & KYB struts. Don't do raised springs, they give a harsh ride & reduce articulation offroad, meaning less grip & more wheel spin. Stock suspension is the best for offroad, with a nice ride on rough roads & the best articulation.

If you carry heavy loads, do Kings standard height springs & KYB struts for the rear with stock suspension front, with a 2" lift kit & bigger all terrain tyres. This gives you heaps of clearance, more than most 4wds, while keeping the good Subaru handling & reliability
 
Yes, I had 3 years with 0.5" spacers and 1 year with NachaLuva's 2" spacers and that's a great way to go on a Subaru.

0.5" are very easy (no rear drop) and with 1" bigger tires make a great combo.
2" are great for seriously rough conditions.

If you are installing them yourself, there is no harm getting some 0.5" ones from NachaLuva first before going for the full 2" kit, if needed. If you have to pay though maybe going 2" from the get go would be best.

With 2" I did indeed have heaps of undercarriage clearance. It really does make a difference.
 
NachaLuva said:
Spring spacers (fits between the coils of the spring) are illegal in Australia & are a really bad idea.

Strut top spacers are the best way to lift, they keep the factory suspension travel & have inbuilt camber & caster compensation.

I recommend stock suspension or Kings standard height springs & KYB struts. Don't do raised springs, they give a harsh ride & reduce articulation offroad, meaning less grip & more wheel spin. Stock suspension is the best for offroad, with a nice ride on rough roads & the best articulation.

If you carry heavy loads, do Kings standard height springs & KYB struts for the rear with stock suspension front, with a 2" lift kit & bigger all terrain tyres. This gives you heaps of clearance, more than most 4wds, while keeping the good Subaru handling & reliability
Click to expand...

Once again good to see correct terminology. Articulation is important because Subarus don’t have much to start with. Earlier models especially had a fair amount of flex.
 
guy said suspension spacers its hard to know what he ment but i guess not spring spacers just whole strut spacers. and yes we need all flex .articulation as we can get , so with lift disconnecting at least rear sway bar is way to go+more grippier tires as some good AT and you good to go.
 
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