pro's and cons to lowering blocks vs reset leafs?

raised by monkeys · 24-06-2011, 03:57 PM

g'day guys,

blocks vs reset leafs
anyone have any comments?

cheers

FTe342 · 24-06-2011, 04:01 PM

don't know about SA but blocks are illegal in most states

Sox · 24-06-2011, 04:49 PM

Blocks allow a lot of diff wind up and axle tramp.

The correct height springs are much better.

b2tf · 24-06-2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTe342

don't know about SA but blocks are illegal in most states

Where did you get that from? I dont believe that is the case.

The bigger concern with them is that if you use blocks that are too big they can cause the shock to hit the wheel. Nolathane for example only recommend a 1" block for use on XR models because they have 17" wheels.

Boza · 24-06-2011, 05:18 PM

I had a block snap the 2 top leaf's once and the ride was crap as i beleive they change how central your diff is or something like that had the tyres scrub on the inside rail on one side went back to xr leaf's and no wazza's

FTE72 · 24-06-2011, 06:29 PM

Reset the leaves, blocks are a bad compromise, (see Sox's post above).
Blocks are illegal in Qld.

XRGhia · 24-06-2011, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTe342

don't know about SA but blocks are illegal in most states

Actual Steel designed lowering blocks are legal in NSW....

also, using lowering blocks = get away with only replacing shocks with standard items

XR6AUIINICKS · 11-07-2011, 10:43 PM

any one know roughly how much to get leafs reset if removed already

DW260 · 11-07-2011, 11:17 PM

Pedder's quoted me, $60 each.

FTW-302 · 11-07-2011, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DW260

Pedder's quoted me, $60 each.

WOW thats cheap
i got mine reset at betta springs in dandenong $220 i cant complain
3.5 inch drop(ish) sits just above the tyre
looks good, same cannot be said about the ride quality though!

XR6AUIINICKS · 11-07-2011, 11:54 PM

nice well in price range

GK · 12-07-2011, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DW260

Pedder's quoted me, $60 each.

Cheap indeed.

How do they work out at what height to reset them without them being seen on the car?

GK

**gregaust** · 12-07-2011, 09:12 AM

WOW $60 . From memory last set i got done at Redcliffe springs was about $220 as well. As for the height you need to know where they sit in the car and give them the dimension you want them reset. They then do their magic and usually right to the mm

DW260 · 12-07-2011, 05:35 PM

Sorry, that didn't include the labour of removing them. That was what they were going to charge me as part of a complete repair.

As for height - I have no idea. They are a Pedders part so I guess they have some spec' for them.

FGII-XR6 · 12-07-2011, 07:43 PM

leafs

maintain correct suspensioon geometry
are stable on the road
are less likely to snap a shackle during spring wind up
the cops will not think it is lowered will look like the springs have sagged making it less likely to get defected

blocks

are illegal
will void your insurance
will upset the suspension geometry
are less stable on the road
have an increased risk of snaping a shackle under any loaded up condition
are dangerous
will get you a defect notice

do yourself a favour dig up the extra $ or stay standard

just to clarify, lowering blocks are legal as such but fitting longer non standard shackles is not and you need longer shackles to fit lowering blocks

roberts · 12-07-2011, 08:05 PM

longer shackles it what 4wd owners do to get more suspension lift
pushes the spring away from the chassis

FGII-XR6 · 12-07-2011, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roberts

longer shackles it what 4wd owners do to get more suspension lift
pushes the spring away from the chassis

people drink a dozen cans and drive doesn't make it legal though. longer non standard shackles are illegal in all states as far as I know and I know for a fact they are in NSW and QLD, the fact that 4wd owners do it doesn't make it legal just makes them irresponsable

roberts · 12-07-2011, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

people drink a dozen cans and drive doesn't make it legal though. longer non standard shackles are illegal in all states as far as I know and I know for a fact they are in NSW and QLD, the fact that 4wd owners do it doesn't make it legal just makes them irresponsable

legal wasn't my point, longer shackles will raise the car when he is trying to lower it.

JC · 13-07-2011, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roberts

legal wasn't my point, longer shackles will raise the car when he is trying to lower it.

I think he means U bolts, not shackles (but only guessing).

If you do go with lowering blocks, you can only run an 8" rim on the rear and a max block size of 1.5".

Stevo · 16-07-2011, 11:54 PM

Jc , I run lowered springs, 1" blocks and 9.5" rim (20x9.5") , no problem.

JC · 17-07-2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevo

Jc , I run lowered springs, 1" blocks and 9.5" rim (20x9.5") , no problem.

The lower shock mount must just fit inside your rim then.

DW260 · 17-07-2011, 07:50 PM

Not sure why so many people get bent out shape about lowering blocks, I ran them for years in all the utes I've owned. Not that I'm the benchmark or anything...

Only dramas I've ever had are with reputable "brand name" replacement leaf springs. I know I would certainly use blocks again over replacement leaf springs that lose their spring tension after 2 years...

FGII-XR6 · 17-07-2011, 08:02 PM

simple fact is they are dangerous, saying you have had no problems with them is like saying I've been driving drunk for years without a problem so it must be safe, but both cases are an accident waiting to happen

Quote:

Originally Posted by DW260

Not sure why so many people get bent out shape about lowering blocks, I ran them for years in all the utes I've owned. Not that I'm the benchmark or anything...

Only dramas I've ever had are with reputable "brand name" replacement leaf springs. I know I would certainly use blocks again over replacement leaf springs that lose their spring tension after 2 years...

DW260 · 17-07-2011, 10:31 PM

Not wanting to start anything, or wind up in some pi$$ing contest, but how exactly are they dangerous? Seriously, I would love to know.

And FWIW, driving around with lowering blocks is not akin to drink driving, so please don't apply that sort of pseudo logic.

b2tf · 17-07-2011, 10:33 PM

I've emailed Nolathane for an explanation on the legalities of using them in NSW. They make a 1" block which I am thinking of using in my ute.

atec77 · 17-07-2011, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

simple fact is they are dangerous, saying you have had no problems with them is like saying I've been driving drunk for years without a problem so it must be safe, but both cases are an accident waiting to happen

Good quality metal blocks are safe and were and still are legal in Qld , if they were not then rwc's wouldn't be granted and I can't find a specific prohibition just a specification involving metal , springs reset are better but I have run and until recently ran blocks on a powerful car with no problem .
Now that is the simple facts

radar · 18-07-2011, 02:53 PM

i've been running blocks in my au wagon for ages no probs.
they are legal here in NZ,anything up to 2 inches are allowed.

MGM · 28-07-2011, 10:08 PM

i had lowered leafs in my xr6 ute for 3 years, they were 60mm lower than xr height, had to replace all springs for roadworthy when i sold it, front and back, apparantly when full laden i had 50mm clearance, but my xr8 that i have now has 40mm blocks which i had to buy a spare 18 inch rim for the spare, ive taken them out a few times which is handy when i tow the boat on long trips

Rambunctious · 29-07-2011, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roberts

longer shackles it what 4wd owners do to get more suspension lift
pushes the spring away from the chassis

I believe roberts meant to say longer U bolts.

Rambunctious · 29-07-2011, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DW260

Not wanting to start anything, or wind up in some pi$$ing contest, but how exactly are they dangerous? Seriously, I would love to know.

And FWIW, driving around with lowering blocks is not akin to drink driving, so please don't apply that sort of pseudo logic.

The further the diff housing is away from the spring, the more chance of wind up-axle tramp due to leverage, hence more pressure on the U bolts which, being longer are more prone to stretch or break.