Anybody heard of these things?

When my Pop bought this '55 chevy hot rod the front end was way in the air similar to a g***er stance; however the suspension was stock excpt there were some sort of spacers stuck between the coils of the springs. It sounds dumb but they were about the size of one of those nasty orange circus peanuts. Anyone ever use these to get some elevation out of thier springs? This Chevy was once a drag car here in Utah so it appears one guy used 'em with some success. Thanks

 

Yep...seen 'em too...several styles available...

R-

 

Moog, TRW, and every other company that sold front end parts sold them as a quick fix for sagging springs.

 

not the best thing for your suspension though.kinda like a cheap fix.they were on my 66 pickup when i got it.

 

They used to sell them at AutoZone. Probably still do.

 

When I pulled the springs out of the 49 they both looked like this :

Heated um up a little too much and used these spacers to raise it up a bit.

 

Is that the type that twists in..??? I have some old ones with a square
hole in the end for a socket wrench drive to twist it in with.

 

I used something similar to raise the front of a 29 roadster up since it was so low when you turned the tires rubbed on the fenders. They worked great and raised it up nicly. I got them at Autozone a long time ago but they are sort of a cob job cheap fix haha

 

They used to use and still make ball joint spacers for tri-five chevys. They rasied the front about 3+ inches. I have them in one of my catologs, just can't find it right now. They were'nt that expensive either. I'm thinking arount $60.00 a pair. They were shaped like a rounded triangle and mounted on the top a-arm and then your ball joint.

 

Did they bolt in some way or did you have to press in both of them?

 

I'm pretty sure they were bolt in. I'm looking for pix.

 

Item #270200169193 on evilbay shows them. $90.00 a pair. Shows them installed as well.

 

i had those in a chevelle and they actually lowered the front end so the weight transfer was quicker.

 

OldGold;

The balljoint spacers don't actually raise the frontend do they? From my experience, the spacers alone have no effect on the suspension other than to allow lift at acceleration. What I have seen is the spacers in conjunction with stiffer (taller) springs. On a tri-five, most used station wagon or (I believe) 63' chevy impala springs that were a little taller. If you increase spring height, the spacers allow more clearance for the control arm versus the frame.
I may be wrong on this (and usually are)...maybe someone else will know.
My current g***er project will have the spacers with TRW CS 6004 springs (Advance Auto #). This combo will give about a 3" at rest lift and still keep the stock steering and front suspension.

 

fiftyfiveg***er
you are correct about the spacers not changing the height.i looked at mine and i had lighter springs.the ball joint spacers are designed for improved weight transfer.

 

Back when I was in high school in 82 I used both kinds (rubber and screw in) on my 69 GTO. I had a g***er stance going with high lift springs in the front and I needed them in back to keep the 60s on my mags from bottoming out. They worked for about a week when I gave up and bought new coils for the back. It was like riding in a buck board. I would highly recommend not using them.

 

These are the spacers I referred to, not the rubber expanders.

 

Yep. they still sell'm. And they sell the screw in spacers, that either lenthing or compress. ( to raise or lower or springs) all though they'r not the best ride.

 

I used them on my 57 Chev. in 1962-3 when g***ers style raised front end were in style. They raised the front somewhat but could fall out. I would not think they were legal on a strip for that reason. I used spring clamps on my 50 Chev. I before that to lower it. Those were cheap ways to do those things for us that were kids and broke.

 

The between-the-coil spacers were used by dealers when installing after-market a/c in the fifties & sixties to bring the front end back up to OEM specs. vic

 

I've just been sitting back and listening to all your remarks. The problem is for me is that I dont wish to spend all that wampum on a solid axle conversion! So guys, is there a way to raise the nose on my junker '54 Olds with the solid axle? Thanks

 

Sorry guys, I mean WITHOUT the solid axle...(dope)

 

Balljoint spacers and taller springs is probably it unless you want C-H-E-A-P and old-old-old school. Here's what you do;

Go to a farm implement place and find a combine, haybaler or whatever has return springs over the cylinders (small diameter springs about 21/2 to 3"). Measure your front shock length to see how much spring you will need for both. Buy 2 muffler clamps to go with the springs.

Now, jack up the front, remove one end of the shock and place the items over the shock in this order....clamp, spring, clamp.
Reconnect the shock and jack the front until the shocks are fully extended.

Now, set the spring in the center of the shock and tighten both clamps against the spring. Remove the jack and take off.

I'll guarantee the front will be higher and when you hit a bump, you will bounce for at least 2 miles.

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