McMaster-Carr washers as spring spacers?

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Very interesting. One is British, one is Russian. One will be very problematic in ordering (Russia-USA), the other quite expensive before even considering shipping. If only someone in the States or Canada was making them. That’s why I’m thinking stacking washers might be the easiest solution.

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Germaniac

· #4 · 16 d ago

That's true for both examples - but maybe Amazon got spacers like these.

I have searched the web up and down for something to get the azz of my 9-5 up a little bit since it also has the LPG tank in the boot which pronounces the sag, but this is even more a difficult task here since there is no "plug & play"-solution available (German laws...

).

Other options include stretching the springs which is controversial for reasons of solidity, ordering special made ones (expensive) or going for an airride suspension (exxxpen$$$ive). Washers might be an easy and comparatively cheap solution but I have some doubts whether they won't do more harm than good.

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Windsor

Discussion Starter · #5 · 16 d ago

Germaniac said:
That's true for both examples - but maybe Amazon got spacers like these.

I have searched the web up and down for something to get the azz of my 9-5 up a little bit since it also has the LPG tank in the boot which pronounces the sag, but this is even more a difficult task here since there is no "plug & play"-solution available (German laws...).

Other options include stretching the springs which is controversial for reasons of solidity, ordering special made ones (expensive) or going for an airride suspension (exxxpen$$$ive). Washers might be an easy and comparatively cheap solution but I have some doubts whether they won't do more harm than good.

Stacked washers are really no different than the spacers Dick Lague made, except what he made was one piece which he would cut to the desired thickness, all the way up to about 45 mm. They fit in the shock’s spring perch and the springs sit on top of that.

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leifr

· #6 · 16 d ago

It seems like you could get your own milled. I got some a few years ago and they were machined from aluminum. Not too hard for someone with a CNC machine. I could probably throw a feeler gauge on mine to get the dimensions.

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Windsor

Discussion Starter · #7 · 16 d ago

Inside and outside diameters would be terrific. With that, I could have a machine shot cut spaces to spec for me

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davide c

· #8 · 15 d ago

In 1985 My (bought new) 900 developed the infamous rear spring sag problem . Saab spacers were available.. from Sweden . Not wanting to either pay or wait. I made a pair of Rings out of Quality 1/2" plywood. These worked perfectly raising the rear height to pre sag levels. These ply rings are STILL intact And working in that car (still in use, albeit no longer mine)

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Jeremy R.

· #9 · 15 d ago

There used to be someone selling shaft collars as spring spacers. I had a pair, and they worked fine. I know you can buy those in all sorts of sizes from McMaster-Carr.

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leifr

· #10 · 14 d ago

@Windsor Sorry for the delay. Here's what I've got that I can measure with them on the car.

Height: 29mm
Damper Diameter: 39.68mm
Steel Collar on Damper: 42.86mm
ED on Spacer: 3" or 76.2mm
ID on Spacer: ? > Damper < Steel Collar

So I'd assume that the spacer has to have an ID slightly bigger than the diameter of the damper body and smaller than the diameter of the steel collar on the damper so the spacer can rest firmly on the spring perch.

Hope that helps!

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bob3000

· #11 · 13 d ago

leifr said:
@Windsor Sorry for the delay. Here's what I've got that I can measure with them on the car.

Height: 29mm
Damper Diameter: 39.68mm
Steel Collar on Damper: 42.86mm
ED on Spacer: 3" or 76.2mm
ID on Spacer: ? > Damper < Steel Collar

Beauty post!!

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Germaniac

· #12 · 13 d ago

Wish I could Install something like this or the solutions I had posted above on my "drag queen" but as often mentioned, German authorities are rather on the "nope" side of this.

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Windsor

Discussion Starter · #13 · 13 d ago

leifr said:
@Windsor Sorry for the delay. Here's what I've got that I can measure with them on the car.

Height: 29mm
Damper Diameter: 39.68mm
Steel Collar on Damper: 42.86mm
ED on Spacer: 3" or 76.2mm
ID on Spacer: ? > Damper < Steel Collar

So I'd assume that the spacer has to have an ID slightly bigger than the diameter of the damper body and smaller than the diameter of the steel collar on the damper so the spacer can rest firmly on the spring perch.

Hope that helps!

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View attachment 296651

Leifr, this is Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you SO much for taking the time to do this. Now I’ve got to find a machine shop that can make some up for me. Wonderful. Extreme gratitude!

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leifr

· #14 · 11 d ago

Windsor said:
Leifr, this is Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you SO much for taking the time to do this. Now I’ve got to find a machine shop that can make some up for me. Wonderful. Extreme gratitude!

No problem! Happy to help. Love to hear how it goes.

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leifr

· #15 · 11 d ago

Germaniac said:
Wish I could Install something like this or the solutions I had posted above on my "drag queen" but as often mentioned, German authorities are rather on the "nope" side of this.

Darn red tape!

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Germaniac

· #16 · 11 d ago

leifr said:
Darn red tape!

Yeah...I'm going to ask at one of the inspection stations which does also approving conversions and stuff if there is any chance of making this street legal anyway - they can't say more than "no".

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https://www.fastenal.com/product/details/33578#

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silver2u

· #17 · 11 d ago (Edited)

Windsor,
this 2019 thread might still have some useful information ?

Spring Spacers. Need Help

My 2001 wagon is riding 25mm low. I am going to replace the rose bushes and the big trailing arm bushings. I want to add spacers to the springs. My question is tied to the shocks. Last summer I installed some Monroe shocks. I only use the car in the summer and probably only put about 3000...

www.saabcentral.com

for ex it provides info on some very inexpensive units available in the usa

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Ljubo

· #18 · 8 d ago

Windsor said:
I’m still trying to find a spring spacer solution for my 03 Aero sagging rear springs now that Dick Lague has passed. Has anyone tried using oversized washers from MvMaster- Carr?

What about this? It is easy to fit and not expensive. There are many other similar products too. SuperPro SPF0438K Coil Spring Spacer Bush Kit

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