Do I Need Spacers?

[batguano]

I just realized that there is the possibility that I need driveshaft spacers.
Only problem is how can I tell if I need them?

I installed Eibach springs and lowered the car about one inch.

Is there someway to check for a problem?

Thanks.:think:

[equinoxiq]

it's hard for me to believe that you have a problem with your car unless your explanation begnis with a story of a cheating wife

[batguano]

it's hard for me to believe that you have a problem with your car unless your explanation begnis with a story of a cheating wife


I guess I blew my credibility all to hell with that wife story but this is legit.

[parkerdt]

What problem are you trying to solve Lee? Most people that I know that have needed spacers were trying to solve noise in the rear joints, or to prevent this problem from happening. Lowered, with UK alignment, spacers will not, to my knowlege, solve tire wear issues.

[batguano]

I don't have a recognizable problem.

Key word recognizable.

My concern is that lowering the chassis might be putting pressure,either positive or negative, on the diff or transmission.

[parkerdt]

I understand. This thread might help.

http://forums.s2kca.com/showthread.php?t=24864&highlight=spacers

[s2k 4 me]

If I'm not mistaken only the AP1's needed the spacers and not AP2's

[repiv]

I understand. This thread might help.

http://forums.s2kca.com/showthread.php?t=24864&highlight=spacers
Lee, you have my comments in this link. Hope it helps.

Insofar as "indicators" of needing these things, you will never know without taking the inner CV joints apart and this is simply not worth it at this time. Your first indication that something has gone wrong will be a vibration when loading up the drivetrain going forward. This vibration will get steadily worse over the miles.
Insofar as AP1's needing these and AP2's not needing them, I think the premise is that the AP2 1/2 shafts are just a wee bit longer and that's what spacers do - lengthen the shafts. However, this does not preclude the effectiveness of spacers on an AP2. If pits have already been formed from normal wear and tear, lowering an AP2 will result in the same outcome. That outcome being the same sort of vibration on acceleration, although the onset may be slower to achieve because the orientation of the formed pits is different enough that they don't readily produce vibration when the positioning is altered by lowering.
Lee, if you're worried about it, install the "split" spacers. This may eliminate anything bad beginning in the future. But it may also only prolong it. It's very hard to say.

[batguano]

Thanks for the info. I have not had any indications of vibrations or unusual feel to the car.
Given what's been said, I think I'm OK. My biggest worry was that I might be putting stress somehow on the diff or tranny.


molte grazie mio amico:thumbup:

[repiv]

I doubt your tranny will know the difference and unless there is significant vibration, I also doubt your rear diff will care either.

[Vik2000]

my friend took a long time to install spacers on my ap2. He said it was much easier on AP1.

[desmo4]

As Dave said it is a matter of wear. Quite by coincidence, Right after I had my LSD replaced I noticed clucking in the drive train. I found this to be wear in the half shafts and drive shaft CV joints. I replaced all of them and then put in Mugen NZ Dampers which lowered the car about an inch. I have never had any issues with vibration or noise.

Jonathan

[repiv]

As Dave said it is a matter of wear. Quite by coincidence, Right after I had my LSD replaced I noticed clucking in the drive train. I found this to be wear in the half shafts and drive shaft CV joints. I replaced all of them and then put in Mugen NZ Dampers which lowered the car about an inch. I have never had any issues with vibration or noise.

Jonathan
Jonathan, this is really good information and I think it substantiates what I've always believed to be the case. If wear patterns haven't developed yet (as in new CVs), lowering the car would be no different than if the car was new and at stock ride height. Wear patterns start from the beginning and untill height or some other parameter changes, it's just normal wear.