Coil Spring Spacers, Insulators & Seats with Fitting Position Front Axle

Nolathane coil spring spacers, insulators and seats sit at the top or bottom of a coil spring, between the spring and its mount on the chassis, strut tower or axle. They do two jobs. Standard-height pads and insulators replace worn factory rubber so the spring seats correctly and stays quiet. Coil spacers add a measured amount of height at the spring, giving a modest ride height increase or levelling a vehicle without replacing the springs.

They suit 4WDs and 4x4 wagons, pick-ups, passenger and performance cars, classic vehicles and full-size trucks, and can be fitted to the front or rear depending on the application.

What Coil Spring Insulators and Seats Do

A coil spring doesn?t sit directly on bare metal. At each end there?s a pad, also called an insulator or spring seat, that cushions the spring against its mount. The pad stops metal-to-metal contact, absorbs high-frequency vibration, locates the spring end so it can?t shift, and protects the spring?s coating from wear.

Factory pads are usually rubber. Over time, heat cycling, ozone and the constant load of the vehicle?s weight cause them to crack, flatten and break apart. Once that happens, the spring end can contact the mount directly, and the vehicle develops noise and harshness that can be hard to trace.

Signs of Worn Coil Spring Pads

• Creaking, squeaking or a metallic clunk over bumps or when turning
• A popping or binding noise when the steering is turned on strut-type suspensions
• More road noise and vibration than usual from one corner
• One corner sitting lower than the other
• Cracked, flattened or missing rubber visible at the spring ends
• Rust or wear marks where the spring end meets its seat

Replacing worn pads restores correct spring seating and isolation, and protects both the spring and its mount from wear.

How Coil Spacers Work

A coil spacer is a thicker spring pad or insulator. Because the spring itself doesn?t change, the spacer raises the body by roughly its own thickness at that corner. Spring rate, spring length and the load the spring carries all stay the same, so ride quality is largely unchanged.

That makes coil spring spacers a simple way to:

• Add a modest ride height increase for extra clearance or a slightly larger tyre
• Level a vehicle that sits nose-down or tail-down
• Compensate for permanent extra weight, such as a bull bar, winch, drawers or a long-range fuel tank
• Correct side-to-side lean, which is common on 4WDs carrying a heavy fridge or accessories on one side
• Fine-tune ride height after fitting new springs

Each listing shows whether a kit is standard height or adds height, along with the fitting position.

Coil Spacers vs Replacement Springs

Coil spacers and replacement springs both raise ride height, but they solve different problems.

Spacers are best for small changes on springs that are still in good condition. They?re quick to fit, reversible and keep the factory ride. Replacement springs are the right choice when the springs have sagged badly, when the vehicle carries significantly more weight than standard, or when a larger lift is needed. A spacer raises the vehicle but doesn?t increase the spring?s capacity, so it can?t fix a spring that?s too soft for the load.

Materials: Polyurethane vs Rubber

Rubber pads are quiet when new but compress, crack and lose height under the constant load of the spring. Polyurethane holds its shape and thickness far longer, so the vehicle keeps its ride height and the spring stays correctly seated.

Nolathane has been making polyurethane suspension bushings since 1974, originally developed to replace brass bushes in hillclimb competition. The signature red polyurethane is made in a range of durometers (hardness grades) to suit each position and offers outstanding abrasion resistance, high load-bearing capability and resistance to oil, grease, ozone and weathering. Polyurethane can transmit slightly more vibration than soft rubber, but for spring pads the difference is usually minimal.

Trade-Offs of Raising Ride Height

Even a modest lift changes the suspension, so plan for these effects:

• Droop travel: the shock absorber sits more extended at ride height, leaving less travel before it reaches full extension
• Geometry: on IFS 4WDs, a lift changes CV joint angles and can reduce caster and camber, while on solid axle vehicles it can reduce caster and move the axle sideways
• Brake lines and ABS sensor leads: check for slack at full droop
• Headlight aim: re-aim the headlights after any change in ride height
• Wheel alignment: have a wheel alignment (tracking) carried out after fitting

Spacers fitted to one corner only, or used to correct lean, should be checked carefully so the vehicle sits level when loaded the way it?s usually driven.

Coil Spacers and Vehicle Standards

Rules on raising a vehicle vary. In Europe, modifications may be assessed at periodic inspections. Check the requirements where your vehicle is registered before fitting, and tell your insurer about any change to ride height or suspension.

Fitting Coil Spring Spacers and Pads

Fitting suits professional workshops and experienced home mechanics. On many solid axle 4WDs, the axle can be lowered to free the spring without a spring compressor. On strut-type suspensions, the strut usually has to be removed and the spring compressed. As a general guide:

1. Support the vehicle securely on stands under the chassis and support the axle or suspension arm.
2. Remove the shock absorber or strut, along with any parts restricting droop.
3. Lower the axle or arm, or compress the spring, to release the spring.
4. Clean the spring seats and inspect the spring and mount for rust or damage.
5. Fit the new pad or spacer in the correct position, upper or lower as shown in the instructions, with the spring end seated correctly.
6. Reassemble, lower the vehicle onto its wheels and tighten fasteners at ride height.
7. Check clearances at full droop, then have a wheel alignment carried out.

Always use a spring compressor in good condition where one is required, as a compressed spring stores a dangerous amount of energy.

Choosing the Right Kit

Confirm the vehicle, the axle (front or rear), the position (upper or lower) and whether you need standard height or a height increase. Measure the vehicle?s current ride height at each corner before ordering, especially if you?re correcting lean. Our fitment guarantee means the kit you order for your vehicle is confirmed to suit it.

Shop Coil Spring Spacers, Insulators & Seats

Universal sizes are available as universal coil spring spacers.

Find the coil spring spacers or pads for your vehicle, then order online with fast shipping or have them fitted by a Nolathane reseller. Every kit is backed by our warranty, 60-day returns give you time if a part isn?t right, and our local support team can help whether you?re replacing worn spring pads, levelling a loaded 4WD or adding a little extra clearance.