Do I need ball joint spacers?

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   I am about to lift the front of my tin top 14" syncro. I have the piston rod spacer for the shocks (new monroe shocks) and 2wd standard springs. The tyres are 215/80/15's, maybe a little large really, but for not i want to make them work. With all this in mind, do I need ball joint spacers? I swear i read they were for lifts of greater than 40mm? cheers fellas 

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Abyss Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Yardie Joined: 20 May 11 Location: Manchester Status: Offline Points: 308	Post Options Post Reply Quote Abyss Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Do I need ball joint spacers? Posted: 26 Aug 14 at 15:11
	I am about to lift the front of my tin top 14" syncro. I have the piston rod spacer for the shocks (new monroe shocks) and 2wd standard springs. The tyres are 215/80/15's, maybe a little large really, but for not i want to make them work. With all this in mind, do I need ball joint spacers? I swear i read they were for lifts of greater than 40mm? cheers fellas
	90 VW T3 Syncro Panel Stealth Camper 98 VW T4 Transporter 1200 LWB 2.4TD - Syncro wannabe

Oberon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 15 May 14 Location: Cape Town Status: Offline Points: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote Oberon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Aug 14 at 13:57
	I just had my 2WD bus lifted 30mm and was advised to fit the spacers, without them the ball-joints will be operating near their maximum deflection. The spacers and the extra work involved to fit them are cheap enough so there's no good reason not to do it. The wheel and tyre size don't have any effect on the steering components but the alignment should be checked and adjusted after the lift/spacer work. I don't have PS and the spacers give a slightly lighter feel to the steering between half and full lock. Colin SA 2WD 2.5 Microbus with Syncro transmission.

Abyss Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Yardie Joined: 20 May 11 Location: Manchester Status: Offline Points: 308	Post Options Post Reply Quote Abyss Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Aug 14 at 14:04
	Interesting, as i posed the same question on faceboob and also just got a reply! Was told there is still enough adjustment left with a lift of <40mm, however fitting some would do now harm. I am at the point where I have the parts here and fitting them this weekend! Plan is to get a full wheel calibration after the lift, as I know at least the tracking is out, and I will be fitting new rubber too so want that to wear evenly.
	90 VW T3 Syncro Panel Stealth Camper 98 VW T4 Transporter 1200 LWB 2.4TD - Syncro wannabe

syncroandy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Yardie Joined: 18 May 05 Location: North Lancs. UK Status: Offline Points: 630	Post Options Post Reply Quote syncroandy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Aug 14 at 23:01
	I have 15mm shims in my 14" pickup, on stock springs, and that's on the limit of camber adjustment at the front with no BJ spacers. The lift at the arch is ~1" iirc. I can't comment on the 2wd springs. You may struggle to fit them.. Edited by syncroandy - 28 Aug 14 at 23:02
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Scimdiesel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Yardie Joined: 19 Oct 12 Location: Milton Keynes Status: Offline Points: 496	Post Options Post Reply Quote Scimdiesel Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Aug 14 at 23:22
	With standard length dampers in no part of the suspension movement would the ball joints be over stretched. Vw would have checked that. So if you was only raising it a small amount don't extend your dampers. Lengthening your dampers does allow the suspension to travel into uncharted terittory which is where the potential problems occur.
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Abyss Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Yardie Joined: 20 May 11 Location: Manchester Status: Offline Points: 308	Post Options Post Reply Quote Abyss Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Aug 14 at 23:25
	The shocks are being lengthened a small (8mm?) amount to stop the longer springs topping the shocks out. Yes they will be a squeeze to get them springs in, but plenty have done it, I will then have more spring travel than Syncro springs and spacers.
	90 VW T3 Syncro Panel Stealth Camper 98 VW T4 Transporter 1200 LWB 2.4TD - Syncro wannabe