Today, many are trying to make their cars as low as possible. It seems to the owner that the lower the car, the more attractive and aggressive it is. But it is worth noting that understatement is a fashion that goes against all the rules and regulations of the suspension. The most important thing is that it is impossible to drive on small irregularities, for example, a speed bump. What to say about country roads, of which there are many in our country. Reasoning sensibly, we come to the conclusion that the machine must be raised above the ground, and not be brought closer to it.

What gives the increase in clearance of the car? A track, a railway crossing or a speed bump will no longer be a serious obstacle for you. And if you leave the city, then the likelihood that the bottom you hook the surface of the earth, overcoming another bump, is extremely small.

Content

• 1 Determination of optimal clearance
• 2 We put the wheels of larger diameter
• 3 Installing non-standard springs and dampers
• 4 Spacers of various materials
• 5 Why not raise the car too high
• 6 Rules for using spacers

Determination of optimal clearance

Ground clearance is the distance from the lowest point of the car to the road surface.

In order to determine whether it is necessary to increase the ground clearance, it will take several calculations. Ground clearance is the distance from the lowest point of the vehicle (measured in the middle of the body) to the ground. The bottom of the machine is an uneven surface on which there are both notches and protrusions, various attachments. It is almost impossible to calculate the lowest device by eye, so a simpler decision is made. Most often, the lowest point is under the engine, and the gearbox and exhaust pipe are slightly higher. But do not miss the height of protection of the motor, it is necessary but a couple of centimeters from the size of the clearance still takes away.

When buying a car, be sure to ask what is its real clearance. Most manufacturers in the passport indicate the value without taking into account the established crankcase protection. It may happen that you bought a car that has a clearance of 150 mm, but in fact it will be only 130.

There are several ways to increase clearance:

1. Use large diameter wheels.
2. Replacing the springs and shock absorbers.
3. Install spacers.

And now in more detail about each method.

We put the wheels of larger diameter

You can raise a car a couple of centimeters, if you put the wheels, the diameter of which is larger than is used at the moment. But if the car already has wheels with the maximum allowable diameter, this action will not work. And the reason for this - the inability to maneuver, as in the extreme positions of the steering wheel will rub on the body. An important point - with increasing diameter, you must use the same tire profile as before. If you install a wheel of a larger radius, but having a smaller profile, you will not receive an increase in height.

Ground clearance can be increased by installing larger wheels, but such a decision may entail a lot of trouble

Before replacing the wheels, be sure to consult with experts, review the forums of the owners of cars of your brand, so as not to have difficulties. The speedometer reading may be wrong, it will show the speed, which is much less than the actual one. In the presence of ABS and ESP problems with them are possible. And as already mentioned, the worst is contact with the elements of the body. Is it not better then to replace the springs with shock absorbers?

See also: There was a thud in the front suspension on the bumps - what to do?

Installing non-standard springs and dampers

In stores you can find a lot of shock absorbers and suspension springs with understating or overstating. You can safely use such parts if your car is not under warranty. Otherwise, you just lose it. And in the event of a breakdown due to the manufacturer’s fault, you will not receive repair at his expense, you will have to pay for it yourself. But the main disadvantage of this method is the deterioration (and significant one) of driving characteristics. The car loses stability, becomes uncontrollable when cornering. And if it is not so noticeable in dry and hot weather, it is fully manifested on a wet road.

The increase in ground clearance will not become superfluous in the conditions of domestic roads

It is much more effective to install spacers to increase ground clearance, of which there are also quite a few in stores. They are installed on the edges of the springs or else in the attachment points of the shock absorbers to the car body. The material for the spacers under the springs is a durable rubber. It has a high density, which affects its durability. Often used polyurethane or plastic spacers. Each material, as you can guess, has its own advantages and disadvantages. Their service life also varies. And for installation on shock absorbers they use aluminum or steel spacers, the resource of which is much higher.

Spacers of various materials

The main materials used for the manufacture of spacers:

1. Rubber - resistant to aggressive environment, does not cause corrosion of body elements, does not affect comfort and control, has a low cost. But it wears out quickly, it can deform and tear.
2. Polyurethane - products are similar to rubber counterparts, noiseless, elastic, cope with loads easily, stronger than rubber many times, able to extinguish any blow when driving on an uneven road. But they have disadvantages, for example, high cost, increase the load on the bushings and can cause deformations of the body.
3. Aluminum - the most durable products from it, although the price is incredibly high. All the advantages that are available in polyurethane and rubber spacers, there are aluminum. Moreover, the advantages are more pronounced, and the service life of such products is very long. The disadvantage can only be considered the possible appearance of corrosion in those places in which the spacer is in contact with the elements of the body.
4. ABS plastic is the most effective material, as it has almost no flaws, while it absorbs the advantages of aluminum, rubber and polyurethane.

Choosing aluminum spacers should be remembered that they can cause corrosion in places of contact with the car body

Before installing spacers to increase ground clearance, make a small measurement. Disassemble the suspension and see what the length of the spring. Oddly enough, but over the years of operation the spring sags, the distance between its coils becomes smaller and there will be no effect from the installation of spacers. Therefore, take measurements and compare with the reference value, which can be found in the manual for your car. If the springs finally subsided, it is better to install new ones with which to use spacers under the racks. Increase the ground clearance of the car can only be provided that the springs on it have a normal condition.

But do not forget that the work of shock absorbers during such work is insignificant, but it will change.

The price of spacers is very reasonable, which allows you to change the clearance of the owner of any car and with any level of income. With regard to installation, the difficulties should not arise, especially with the rear suspension. And the result will please you - in a short time you lift your car a couple of centimeters above the ground. But it is not necessary to lift more, since the suspension will work incorrectly in this case, as a result of which its elements will wear out much faster than usual.

See also: Do-it-yourself power steering repair

Why not raise the car too high

Of course, the change in ground clearance affects the center of gravity, which is shifted upwards. Handling is getting worse, because all the technologies for which the car was made, violated. Remember that in the manufacture of the machine works a whole team of experienced design engineers who check, consider what loads are permissible to apply, check the location of the wheels relative to the surface and each other in different situations.

And you have increased the clearance by 5 centimeters, and the wheel alignment, and their position relative to the body have changed. And on the steering wheel the wheels began to react out of sync at all, the result of all this is an extremely uncomfortable ride and a short service life of the suspension. The position of the shock absorber also changes. If initially it was approximately in the middle of the stock stroke, then after an increase in clearance, it will become closer to the upper position, which will lead to its failure when traveling through holes and potholes.

Polyurethane spacers

Rules for using spacers

But there are a few rules to follow:

• Do not install metal spacers, if there is no good metal treatment of the body with anti-corrosion compounds;
• on vehicles with front-wheel drive, it is permitted to raise the front part by no more than 2 centimeters;
• To ensure the maximum service life of shock absorbers, it is necessary to install special spacers and under them so that the work of the entire suspension is synchronous (this is true for vehicles on which the springs are installed not near the suspension struts);
• when lifting the rear of the car, you must make sure that the inclination of the body will remain within the limits acceptable for normal movement (it is not recommended to raise the body by more than three centimeters).

If you increase the clearance by 3 centimeters and more, you are unlikely to expose the correct camber, which will lead to uneven tire wear. Make sure the spacer set has studs and bolts before you increase the vehicle's ground clearance. By following these simple rules, you will raise your car without compromising safety.