by Michael Ku
This is the installation procedure of my 1" spring spacers on a Discovery 1. The installation on a Range Rover and Defender are similar.
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We will start with the Front suspension. Start by blocking the rear Wheels. |
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Jack up the front of the vehicle and support the frame by jack stands. Remove both tires. |
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Disconnect the lower shock mount. Start with one side only. Remember to free up the ABS wire so it doesn't get pulled on when the suspension is completely extended. |
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Flex the suspension and remove the spring retaining plate. You may need to bounce on the axel a bit to get it out... |
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Clean the surfaces of the spring retaining plate and the mount on the axel. |
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Slide the spacer under the retaining plate and under the spring. Again this will take a little flexing of the suspension to get it in. Not that difficult. Install the mounting hardware with washers. |
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Another view of the installed spacer with hardware. |
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Make sure to inspect the shock carefully.
Make sure that it doesn't hit the mounting hardware. If it does, you
can add some large washers between the bushing and the shock to space it
up...
Or if you want to move the entire lower shock mount up you can purchase my front lower shock mount plates. These allow you to move the front, lower shock mount up 1" so that you gain back 1" of your downward travel lost by the spacer... Repeat for the other side. Assemble everything and then remount tires. You are finished with the front spacer installation. On to the rear |
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The procedure for the rear is very similar. Jack up the vehicle and support the frame with jack stands. Don't forget the wheel blocks in the front! |
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Remove the lower spring plate. |
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Slide in the spacer and mount with hardware...
Repeat for the other side.
Remount tires... |
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Voila, you are now an 1" taller. |
If you have the front lower shock mount relocation plates, see below.
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When installing the front spacers, follow the directions above. However, also remove the front upper shock tower and shock. |
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Bolt the plate to the lower mount on the shock as shown. |
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After assembling the front spring and spacer assembly, drop the shock and plate through the top and bolt the plate to the top of the spring plate. Re-assemble the upper shock tower and then you are done |