I'm doing a B&G/AGX suspension upgrade on my Max.

I'm choosing the B&G's over the H&R's for the slightly more aggressive drop, but with the B&G's (since the drop is an even 1.6" front & rear), I'm concerned about the rear riding lower than the front with loads like people in the back seat, cargo in trunk, etc.

To address this, I'm considering the possibility of using small "spring spacers," when I install the rears. I'm only looking for about 1/4" height increase in the rear versus the front. Nothing major; barely noticeable.

Anyone ever used "spring spacers" before? Any recommendations? Things to be aware of? Best brands?

Thanks!

 

I bought a pair for the rear for the same reason (ie. cargo) but I haven't used them yet. I'd be interested in how they feel with them on.

 

My friend, you and I are in the same boat. Look at my car (homepage). It is currently on B&G Springs with Stock struts. The rear looks REALLY sagged...ugly if you ask me. Ideally I wanted springs that go 1.5" front and 1" in rear but no luck.

Please let me know if your "spring spacers" work for you!
Also, where can I buy them and how much do they cost?

Thanks,

bobby_dash@hotmail.com

 

bump

 

I have H&R's and was worried about the low factor since I have the Stillen front lip. I did get one response from someone using them. They are actually supposed to be used for drag purposes. Under hard acceleration, the weight of the car will push the rear down and the front up. The spacers are suppose to minimize this occurance. I was thinking about using them in the front and rear, but decided to just let the lip take the damage. I bought it for $100 painted and it was already 10% chipped, I just used touch up paint.

To use the spacers (blocks), jack the car up with the wheels on. This will cause the springs to stretch and expose the coils. Place the block between the dead coils (the higher the better). Make sure it's a good fit and lower the car back down. Try and be consistent for an even job around the car.

I think the only way to eliminate the sagging effect, is to custom the wheel fenders. It's not the fact the rear lowers more than the front...it's the wheel wells. I think the rear wheel well is just a lot bigger than the front. I was thinking if I ever get into an accident (when it's not my fault of course) and I'd have to repaint the car, I'd have the fenders fiberglassed, bondoed, or what-not to reduce the gap. I'd also like to mold the seams of the Stillen front lip and bumpers too. But, I'm one of the fortunate people in this world that have never been involved in an accident.

 

OT: Happy birthday BlkCat
Spring spacers are used alot in racing. Advanced Autoparts should have a few sets in stock if you want to check them out.
-Cyrus

 

Thanks Vyrus, Kevin:

Here are some ideas that I have been tinkering with.
1) Install Spring Spacers in the rear and obtain about 0.25" increase in wheel gap. This will make the front and rear equal...no more sagging. However, this would reduce the already reduced spring travel length and my rear would bounce more when I hit a bump.

2) Remove the B&G Springs from the rear and install the STOCK springs. This would increase the rear wheel gap significantly and my car would look like a "crouching tiger". However, the spring rates will be all screwed up and will have an uneven bounce when I hit that pothole. Also, my car would oversteer quite a lot.

3) Get some coilovers and fully control my wheel gap. The only drawback is $$$ and a very harsh ride. Too much oversteer under mildly wet/snow conditions.

WHat are your thoughts.

 

Just leave them alone and buy a pair of Sprints when they are back in stock.
-Cyrus

 

Thanks Vyrus!
Actually I bought a set awhile ago but I haven't used them. I'll be helping some friends move to their new home on the 26th so I'll be putting them on soon.

 

If you lower your ride...does it change the weight capacity?
Can you still haul four people and a ton of junk in the trunk?

 

Dash,

I just placed an order for the B&G's, but later cancelled it on account of the honesty of stories like yours and other's I discovered after placing my order. I think I'm gonna give the H&R's a try, since they seem to be one of the most "proven" springs for the 4th Gen.

Thanks for your insights - your car looks great in the pics, btw!

-K-

 

Buy a set of the spacer blocks at Autozone or pepboys. They're only like $5-10 or so. Put them in the rear only. Place them in different coils to determine how much height you want to gain.

Or you can get a Stillen front lip to create an illusion that the front is lower.

 

Do you have a link for Advanced Autoparts?

Thanks in advance.

 

I don't think they have a website. Go to whatever local automotive store you have tomorrow (Pepe Boys, AutoZone, Advanced Auto) and they should have them in stock. They're not expensive either, just one less meal at Burger King .
-Cyrus

 

Hey KWheelzSB:

I don't mean that the B&G Springs are bad and H&R's are better. The H&R will only give you 0.1" less drop in the rear. The Maxima comes 4" wheel gap in front and 3.5" gap in the rear. Hence, ideally one would need 1.5" in front and 1.0" in rear for a perfect look.

After seeing the pics of my car, you think it looks okay. I thought it looked ugly with the rear sagging. etc. Thanks for the compliments...

I'll try the spring spacers this weekend and post my thoughts...

 

I understand - I didn't mean to bag on the B&G's. I might still get them, myself. I just need to sort out the "few" complaints of sagging I've read before I go with either B&G or H&R. There have been far more (+) reviews than (-) on the B&G's, so I'm not here to discredit them at all.

DEFINITELY interested in hearing how things go for you with the spacers this weekend. Thanks & good luck.

P.S: I know of two types of spring spacers-

1) Round, ring-type (designed to sit on spring seat)
2) Block type (designed to go in between select coils)

My thought was to get the ring-type, because I'm not sure I like the idea of messing with the way the springs compress by putting the block-type spacers in-between the coils. It seems to me like the block-type would create uneven distortions/deflections in the springs as they compress because of the pressure points where the blocks are positioned.

Anyone got any thoughts on this? Maybe you engineer types?

Thanks!

 

1) The round, ring type will require one to disassemble the shock/spring assembly and install it before the shock's top plate/cap. A lot more work involved.

2) If one installs the block in the top most coil, which is pretty much a dead coil, I do not see a problem with the springs. That coil does not do any travel to begin with and it won't after the spacer is installed.

My main concern is that once the overall travel of the spring is reduced, I just hope that when I hit that pothole, my rear does not just jump up! My 0.02...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dashingMax
[B]

1) The round, ring type will require one to disassemble the shock/spring assembly and install it before the shock's top plate/cap. A lot more work involved.

2) If one installs the block in the top most coil, which is pretty much a dead coil, I do not see a problem with the springs. That coil does not do any travel to begin with and it won't after the spacer is installed.


Ic - we're in a little bit of a different situation: you're addressing an issue with the springs currently on the car, whereas I'll be doing a completely new spring/strut install, so the disassembly issue is a non-issue for me.

For me, it really comes down to determining what the better solution is "functionally" on the car. I think I'm inclined to go with the ring-type spacers with that in mind. I definitely understand your not wanting to disassemble your suspension to try out this quick fix. In your shoes, I'd probably try the same thing.

Btw, anyone know whether the spacer rings are meant to be installed at the top of the spring or at the bottom? I guess I just assumed they would go in the spring seat at the bottom.

Thanks!

 

I am copy-pasting part of another thread here.
-------
Its TRUE that the rear wheels are tucked a little in than the front wheels. Therefore, regardless what lowering springs one uses, the lower the car, the perception of sagging will be inevitable.

UPDATE: I purchased "spring spacers" from AutoZone last night & installed them this morning.
Parts: Coil Spring Stabilizers manufactured by Motormite Division of R&B Inc. BTW, they are traded on the NASDAQ, symbol RBIN.
Cost: $4.99 for a set of 4 pieces. SKU# 81500
Installation:
1) Lift one side of the rear with the OEM jack until the wheel is off the ground and the springs are unloaded.
2) Install one spring spacer at the top-most coil where it will fit. Using a hammer, tap one "Coil Spring Stabilizer" between the coils in one of the springs.
3) Tap the other stabilizer into the spring at approximately 45-60 degrees from the other stabilizer.
4) Lower the car and repeat the steps for the other side.
5) Test drive and recheck everything. Test drive again, this time take sharp turns at reasonably fast speeds (always obey the law ) and recheck everything again.

Now it looks just PERFECT. The decrease in drop should be 0.25"-0.30".
------------
I am now sitting 1.6" lower in front and 1.3" in rear.!! I am glad I found this solution, for I was almost ready to buy Cattman Coilovers.

Cheers!

 

got any pics of the "perfect" look?

 

I just installed my spring spacers on my rear Eibach Sport springs.
I had to take the wheels off as there wasn't enough space in the exposed part of the springs to insert them. I got them half way up the spring and once I lowered the car I had a 3 finger gap to match the front. Now it looks even but once I help out my friends with their moving they're coming back out.

 

Do you have any pics, after the installation of the spring spacers?

 

Dashing Max - How is the ride w/ spacers? Do you have pics before and after? I am getting ready to install B+G/Konis on my 99 Max 5-sp. and definately would appreciate any concerns w/ sagging and solutions to it. Thanks.

 

Sorry guys, but I did not take the pictures of the car after the spring spacers. There is absolutely NO DIFFERENCE whatsoever in right quality. If you are using stock shocks in the rear (like myself), your shocks will last a little longer for they are less compressed. If you want to try it out, by all means do it. You will NOT hurt your car and if you don;t like the way it looks, installation is less than 10 minutes. It takes more time to jack up the car than to install the spacers.

For $5 bucks, you've got nothing more than a lunch to lose.

 

I miss my "slammed" look in the back now.

 

From what i am reading....whenever you jack up your car you have to reset them. What about if you have a little "hop" Would you loose them?

 

No you don't lose the spacers when you have a hop. One of the spacers are gently hammered between the coil and will not fall off even when the springs are completely unloaded. The other spacer has barely a couple millimeters of moveable space. So, unless you treat and use your Maxima as a Hummer and decide to go for a World Rally Championship, those spacers will stay snug between your spring coils.

 

nope never used em

 

if i loose them oh well!
and yes i do drive like i;m on the wrc!
Made it airborne enough a few times to knock some heads on the roof.

 

So far I haven't lost mine yet!