Rear spring spacer not seating properly

Trying to install the 1/2" rear spring spacer from Dobinson's on top of my driver's side rear spring, but having an issue getting them to seat together. Spacer is oriented properly with raised area in the center of the spacer down.

I'm attempting to jack the passenger's side to get the clearance needed to make adjustments, but, even when getting it all lined up properly and holding it carefully in place when lowering the pass side it comes out uneven as pictured. Have tried multiple times. Shocks still off and sway bar links are disconnected on both sides as well.

Need real time help please. Thanks in advance for your replies!

 

I took some shots for you here. Hopefully it will help.

 

Never mind. Just saw your additional photos.

 

Yes, bottom end of the spring is seated against the notch appropriately. I'm replacing dobinson's springs with a newer pair that will bear more weight and adding the spacer to correct the lean. Just can't get the spacer to sit perfectly on top of the isolator when dropping the pass side axle down.

 

I only posted the single photo at the top, another member posted the additional photos of theirs.

I'm all good on the lower end, it's just the top that is giving me a fit.

 

Ah, gotcha.

Have you tried tapping the coil with a rubber mallet to get it to move over a smidge?

 

thanks, i'll give it a go with the BFH, i mean, rubber mallet

 

If the spring spacer was from Dobinson, I'd be asking them what's up...

 

Your photos don't seem to show the coil seat isolator noted in the OP's photo. I wonder if that's adding to the issue.

 

good thought, i wonder if the spacer is to be used instead of the isolator, rather than in addition to. of course instructions were non-existent, so off to do research i go...

Edit: from the Dobinson's website:

• Precise Fit: Designed to fit perfectly between the original equipment (OE) isolator and the coil seat, minimizing potential noise issues.
  

So, I'll keep at it for now.

 

Surprised the spacer doesn't have an inner lip that keeps it in place. Unless no spacers do, i haven't dealt with them before.

 

The only photo I could find on the Dobinsons site:

 

yeah, the center part fits down into the recess in the center of the isolator but it's not very deep to begin with

 

well, talked to Dobinson's and they suggest getting a spring compressor and compressing the rear spring to get it in position and then slowly releasing compression into the bottom of the spacer, and not doing it by jacking the pass side of the axle.

 

Before I went through all that, I would see if I could find a helper to hold the top of the spring in place while you jacked up the axle. Maybe you tried that already, but a thought.

 

Sounds like a little man handling is needed.

3rd Genner is the same way, especially with long springs.

Just need to man handle it.

 

Do a couple wraps of electrical tape to hold in place.

Are your springs round at the top or flat? Mine are flat maybe that’s your problem if they’re rounded

 

There’s no reason why you need a coil spring compressor to make it fit. Sounds like they’re trying to fix a problem by the wrong rubber space at the top.

 

I have these same spacers. I used a jack on one side to push the axle up, and the stock bottle jack on the other side as a spreader to push the axle down. If I recall, I slowly shortened the bottle jack and I basically had to shift the spring by hand for it to remain centered. Once it started to get some pressure, it stayed in place.

Although, I haven’t checked lately to see if it has remained centered.

 

I thought about using this same method. Spring compressor I tried but couldn't get the safety pins over the spring and the more I compressed it the more anxious I got cause I couldn't get the compressors exactly 180 deg opposite, so I abandoned that approach.

Ended up just giving it several attempts jacking the pass side with the jack handle where I could easily reach it from the driver side, slowly dropping it and realigning the spring top as needed. Got it to within probably 1-2mm which I'm good with, it was out .5-.75" initially.

Going to get new tires this week and will take a look underneath while at the shop to see how it's settled in after some road and hwy miles. It was a pain but I think I'm good.

Thanks for all the feedback and tips!

 

Yeah I don't think you can use the factory isolators with the spacers. I used 2 pc Energy suspension rear isolators that snapped together. I was going to use overload air bags in rear springs and they have an open center for an air line. You could get a taller set of springs and install one on the side you need. The spacer is your new isolator and you can't use overload bump stops.

 

Is it likely that just the additional spring rate of HD rear spring may correct the driver side lean?

 

Well, put 150lbs in the passenger floorpan first, someone in driver's seat and then measure. It's kinda designed for two in front to be level. You can use adjustable sway bar links to level up the amount you probably need. I'm assuming it's about 1/2" difference with just driver. Balance any load in your truck. You could extend sway bar links on the front and rear driver side and it should give you just enough. I have had to drive and adjust, drive and adjust to find what I like in the ride and handling trade off. Otherwise, spacer with no factory isolators, and maybe helper springs and shocks. Cocking the steering wheel changes the lean also. Mine looks low on driver side and then other places it doesn't depending on terrain and straight steering wheel. I can't see it driving. But, when you are loaded, it may be unlevel again.