Is Removing Rear Blocks Bad?
Are you considering removing the rear blocks from your vehicle? It’s an important decision, and one that requires careful consideration.
The short answer is yes, it can be bad to remove rear blocks from your vehicle as it affects the stability and handling of your car. Rear blocks are designed to provide extra weight over the back wheels which helps create more traction and improves control on slippery surfaces. Without them, you could find yourself in a dangerous situation if faced with wet or icy roads.
Removing rear blocks from your vehicle should never be taken lightly as it may cause serious harm to both you and other drivers on the road.
Before making any changes to your car’s suspension system, make sure to consult a professional for advice.
Read on to learn more about why removing rear blocks can be detrimental and how best to stay safe while driving!
Key Takeaways
- Rear blocks can provide additional stability and performance for a vehicle, but they should be removed if the vehicle is intended for long-term use.
- Poorly maintained rear blocks can cause accelerated wear on suspension components and reduce handling capabilities.
- Removing rear blocks may result in improved ride quality, better fuel economy, and increased cargo space.
- It is important to have proper alignment of tires after removing rear blocks to ensure safety and optimal performance of the vehicle.
What Are Rear Blocks?
Rear blocks, also known as wheel spacers, are pieces of metal or plastic that fit between the hub and wheel on a vehicle.
They are designed to increase the distance between the wheels and the body of a car or truck, creating more stability for cornering and braking.
While rear blocks can be beneficial in certain situations, they should be removed if not necessary due to potential safety risks.
How to Remove Rear Blocks Safely and Effectively?
Removing rear blocks from a vehicle is a common procedure for adjusting the ride height or restoring the original configuration. Here’s a general guide on how to safely and effectively remove rear blocks from a vehicle:
Gather Necessary Tools and Equipment
Ensure you have the required tools:
- Jack and jack stands
- Lug wrench
- Socket set
- Torque wrench
- Safety glasses and gloves
Prepare the Vehicle
- Safety First: Park the vehicle on a level surface, engage the parking brake, and chock the front wheels to prevent rolling.
- Raise the Rear of the Vehicle: Use a jack to lift the rear of the vehicle and support it securely with jack stands. Make sure to place the jack stands at the appropriate points as per the vehicle’s manual for stability and safety.
- Remove Wheels: Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels. Then, lift the wheels off the vehicle using the jack and place them aside.
Remove Rear Blocks
- Access the Blocks: Rear blocks are often located between the rear axle and the leaf springs or on top of the leaf springs. They might be held in place by U-bolts or other fasteners.
- Disconnect U-bolts: If the blocks are held in place by U-bolts, use a socket set to remove these bolts. Keep the U-bolts and related hardware in a safe place as they will likely be reused.
- Lower the Axle: If the blocks are located between the axle and the leaf spring, slowly lower the rear axle with the jack to release pressure from the blocks. This should allow for easy removal of the blocks.
- Remove the Blocks: Carefully take out the rear blocks from their position. If they’re stuck due to corrosion or rust, use penetrating oil and a rubber mallet to tap them gently for removal.
Reassemble and Torque
- Reinstall and Torque: If not replacing the blocks, reinstall the components removed, ensuring they’re properly aligned and torqued to the manufacturer’s specifications. If there are new components, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for installation torque.
- Reattach Wheels: Put the rear wheels back onto the vehicle and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Lower the vehicle from the jack stands and then securely tighten the lug nuts with a torque wrench in a star pattern.
- Test Drive: After completing the reassembly, take the vehicle for a test drive to check for any unusual noises or issues. If everything seems normal, the removal process was likely successful.
Benefits of Removing Rear Blocks
Rear blocks are a common feature on vehicles, and they can be beneficial in some situations. However, there are also times when removing rear blocks can be beneficial.
Rear blocks help to keep the rear suspension from bottoming out over bumps or uneven terrain.
This helps to provide a smoother ride and better handling of the vehicle. Removing rear blocks can improve the performance of your vehicle in several ways:
Increased Traction
By removing rear blocks, you will increase traction for your vehicle. This is especially important if you plan to take it off-road or drive on wet surfaces.
With increased traction, you will have more control over your vehicle and be able to handle any situation that comes up with ease.
Improved Handling
When you remove the rear blocks from your car, it allows for greater flexibility in its suspension system which leads to improved handling characteristics.
You will find that cornering becomes easier and more precise as well as having an overall smoother feel while driving around turns at higher speeds.
Better Fuel Economy
The removal of rear blocks also results in better fuel economy due to less drag on the engine caused by the extra weight being carried around by the car’s suspension system.
This means that not only do you save money on fuel costs but also reduce emissions released into our atmosphere – making it good for both our pockets and environment!
Reduced Wear & Tear
Without having those heavy duty shocks mounted onto the back of your car, there is less strain put onto other components such as brakes or tires which means they won’t need replacing as often resulting in reduced wear & tear expenses down the road!
Potential Issues with Removing Rear Blocks
Removing rear blocks from a vehicle can lead to several potential issues, which you should be aware of before performing this modification. These issues might impact the vehicle’s handling, suspension, and overall performance:
Altered Ride Height and Handling
When rear blocks are removed, it can significantly alter the vehicle’s ride height. The rear end will sit lower than before, which might affect the vehicle’s overall balance. This change can cause:
- Handling Differences: The vehicle’s handling characteristics may change, potentially impacting steering responsiveness and stability.
- Towing Capacity: Removing rear blocks can reduce the vehicle’s towing capacity. The lower rear end might affect the weight distribution and compromise the ability to tow heavy loads safely.
Suspension Components Stress
Removing rear blocks can put stress on other suspension components:
- Increased Load on Leaf Springs: With the blocks removed, the leaf springs might experience increased stress as they support the vehicle’s weight differently.
- Rear Shocks: Altered suspension geometry might affect the performance of the rear shocks, potentially causing premature wear or affecting their effectiveness.
Warranty and Legal Issues
Making modifications, including removing or altering OEM components like rear blocks, might affect the warranty and could potentially be illegal in some areas:
- Warranty Void: Modifying the vehicle could void certain parts of the manufacturer’s warranty, especially if the alteration causes subsequent issues.
- Legal Compliance: Certain modifications, if not compliant with local regulations, could lead to fines or legal issues.
Rebalancing and Realignment
After removing rear blocks, it might be necessary to rebalance and realign the vehicle:
- Rebalancing Required: The vehicle may need to be rebalanced to restore its original ride height and weight distribution.
- Wheel Alignment: A realignment may be needed to ensure the wheels are properly aligned for safe and optimal handling.
Stability and Ground Clearance
The lowered rear end might reduce ground clearance and stability:
- Ground Clearance Reduction: The vehicle might have reduced clearance, potentially causing issues when driving over obstacles or rough terrain.
- Reduced Stability: Lowering the rear end could affect the vehicle’s stability, especially when carrying heavy loads or towing.
Alternatives to Removing Rear Blocks
When it comes to removing blocks from the rear of a vehicle, many people turn to traditional methods such as using a jack and hammer.
However, there are other alternatives that can be used for this task. Here are some of the most popular options:
Hydraulic Jacks
Hydraulic jacks are often used when working on vehicles as they provide more leverage than manual jacks and hammers.
They also allow for precise adjustment which makes them great for removing blocks in tight spaces or hard-to-reach areas.
Additionally, hydraulic jacks can be operated remotely with an air compressor or power source making them incredibly versatile tools for use in any automotive project.
Block Pullers
Block pullers are specialized tools designed specifically for removing blocks from vehicles.
They feature powerful jaws that grip onto the block while allowing you to apply force in order to remove it without damaging surrounding components or paintwork on your car’s bodywork.
Many models feature adjustable arms so you can adjust their reach depending on the size and shape of your block removal job at hand.
Impact Wrenches
Impact wrenches are high powered tools that deliver quick bursts of torque to loosen stubborn bolts and fasteners quickly and easily without causing damage to surrounding components or paintwork on your car’s bodywork .
These types of tools make perfect sense when attempting to remove large blocks from the rear end of a vehicle due to their ability to break even the toughest nuts free with minimal effort required by the user.
Screw Extractors
If you have stripped screws holding down your block then screw extractors can come in handy as they provide extra grip on damaged threads allowing you to safely loosen them without damaging surrounding components or paintwork on your car’s bodywork .
This type of tool is ideal if you don’t want to risk using an impact wrench due its potential danger if not used correctly and carefully .
FAQs
What are the potential risks associated with removing rear blocks?
Removing rear blocks can potentially cause excessive wear and tear on the suspension components, increase the risk of wheel hop or tire damage due to increased power transfer, reduce traction control effectiveness, and decrease overall ride quality.
Are there any benefits to removing rear blocks?
Yes, some drivers may find that removing rear blocks increases acceleration by reducing wheel hop and improving weight transfer when accelerating hard. It can also improve cornering performance by allowing for more roll stiffness than stock settings.
How do I know if my vehicle has a block installed in the rear?
Your vehicle’s owner’s manual should have a diagram showing where any suspension blocks are located. Alternatively, you can visually inspect the suspension components for signs of additional hardware such as nuts or bolts that could indicate a block is present.
Is it safe to drive with removed rear blocks?
It is not recommended to drive with removed rear blocks as this could lead to reduced traction control effectiveness which could be dangerous under certain conditions (e.g., wet roads).
