Front Coil Spring Spacers
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Surrey BC Canada
Front Coil Spring Spacers
I have had 15 Explorer rims installed for over a year (they do rub the fender once in a while). A couple of months ago, a Ranger fan/owner told me I needed spacers. At that time, I had no idea what spacers were. Then last week, a colleague at work said my front springs need to be replaced due to lack of clearance.
I have a pair of brand new MOOG front coil springs in my parts closet. I am now looking at purchasing a pair of Spacers. The only Spacers I could find on the internet for the Aerostar are SPC Performance 1" Coil Spring Spacers. They also have various Spacers in thickness. Their guide says the Spacer will raise the vehicle 2 1/2-3 times the thickness of the Spacer thickness.
I was wondering, how a 1" Spacer raises the vehicle 2 1/2-3 times the thickness of the Spacer thickness. How is that possible?
I have a pair of brand new MOOG front coil springs in my parts closet. I am now looking at purchasing a pair of Spacers. The only Spacers I could find on the internet for the Aerostar are SPC Performance 1" Coil Spring Spacers. They also have various Spacers in thickness. Their guide says the Spacer will raise the vehicle 2 1/2-3 times the thickness of the Spacer thickness.
I was wondering, how a 1" Spacer raises the vehicle 2 1/2-3 times the thickness of the Spacer thickness. How is that possible?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: SoCal
The springs are usually inboard of the ball joints, so there is some leverage effect. If the centerline of the spring is exactly half way between the control arm pivot and the ball joint (lowers), then the amount the vehicle will be raised will be about 2X the amount that the spring is raised.
Since your old springs are sagging, why don't you try just using the new springs to see if they fix the rubbing problem?
Since your old springs are sagging, why don't you try just using the new springs to see if they fix the rubbing problem?
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Joined: Oct 2009
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Agreed. Spacers are a problem waiting to happen most of the time, they do not fix the issues with worn springs, i.e. reduced suspension travel, so they adversely affect the ride quality. They would also allow the springs themselves to bottom out on hard bumps, instead of letting the body bumps catch it, which can actually break the spring or worse.
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From: Surrey BC Canada
I am not sure if the springs are sagging, or it is because of the 15" Explorer rims, as well as the increased offset outward.
My intention is to install new MOOG springs, KYB Gas-A-Just shock absorbers (dampers), all the ball joint/tie-rod/bushing parts, and the sway bar links/bushings.
It makes sense to do all these things at the same time, right? I just want to do it right the first and last time, in one single operation.
I spoke with the Ranger fan/owner again today. He said I should also add spacers to the rear. But they don't make spacers for the rear! But he also alluded that spacers may screw up your suspension joints!
Maybe do all of the above without the spacers. I just hate the thought of doing all that work, and still needing those nasty spacers!
My intention is to install new MOOG springs, KYB Gas-A-Just shock absorbers (dampers), all the ball joint/tie-rod/bushing parts, and the sway bar links/bushings.
It makes sense to do all these things at the same time, right? I just want to do it right the first and last time, in one single operation.
I spoke with the Ranger fan/owner again today. He said I should also add spacers to the rear. But they don't make spacers for the rear! But he also alluded that spacers may screw up your suspension joints!
Maybe do all of the above without the spacers. I just hate the thought of doing all that work, and still needing those nasty spacers!
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,013
Likes: 205
From: SoCal
You can not add the same type of spacers to the rear springs because they have pig tails that are bolted to cups on both ends. If they're sagging, you should replace those as well.
Do like you said, replace the parts, and go without spacers to see how it works.
Do like you said, replace the parts, and go without spacers to see how it works.
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From: Surrey BC Canada
The 97 Cargo Aerostar has a factory larger tire size than the passenger Aerostar. I am aware of this anomaly.
The tires are a bit too big (P215/70R15) for the passenger version. But not that much bigger to have zero clearance on speed bumps!
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