Wheel Spacers Information

[Jazza]

Ok so a quick internet and Antilag search brought up a bunch of opinions of people who basically just contradicted each other.

The advantages of wheel spacers are that they bring the rim out more flush with the guard, are there any other advantages? I've seen a few people say they cause rubbing, I would have thought you could fit larger tires with them not smaller as you've created more room inside the guard?

What are the disadvantages? Obviously you need enough thread on your wheel nuts for the wheel to be held on properly but otherwise I can't seem to find anyone with decent facts about this?

Thanks in advance.

[Crispymk2]

Increases space between the rim/tyre and the brakes and struts while reducing space between the guard lip and the tyre/rim.

Depends on current rim offset and distance to guards and suspension as to where and how much space you create.
Basically a way to lower the offset of your rims easily.

For spacers that increase track more than around 8-10mm you might need longer studs. Some spacers include a set of pre mounted studs and you bolt the spacer to the hub then bolt the wheel to the spacer.

Slipon spacers just slip on as the name suggests while bolt on are like the ones described above. You can also get Hubcentric spacers which locate correctly onto your existing hubs.

Keep in mind that they might not be legal and you can technically only increase a vehicles track by 25mm.
Stick to quality brands of Hubcentric spacers and you should be fine.

[mys1]

Hub centric is key

[upgarage]

Decreases clearance due to increased scrub radius

[urabus]

Increases track which is usually a good thing. I have a set of 25mm spacers on the recce evo x which has copped a belting and no issues.

Brenddon

[shifted]

Running 20mm ICHIBA hub-centric bolt-on spacers currently to clear my brake calipers.

Had to roll guards as they now pretty much sit flush.

Do it properly.

[R3N]

J-dawg, Euros use wheel bolts. Usually the spacers will come with extended bolts. It's all about the offset for clearance.

[Jazza]

So nobody knows of any disadvantages then?

[Fukushima]

you cant enter race wars?

[duste]

So long as you select the right spacer for your application, you'll be fine.

If your wheels are hub-centric, get hub-centric spacers.

Slip-on spacers, aluminium is fine. Bolt-on spacers, go with steel.

If you're going with slip-ons, also make sure your bolts/studs are long enough.

[Phyber]

How many full turns of the nut before it starts to tighten would people say is sensible? 8?

[blackjack]

12 x1.5- 8 turns is minimum. Nut needs to go on at least the thickness of stud ( or screw in as far as the bolt is thick )

[DAN [GTI]]

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/images/spacers/spacers_pin_washers_1.jpg
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/images/spacers/spacers_stud_washers_wheel_1.jpg

As long as you don't go to Bunnings for parts you will be right. The right spacer for the right application will see you a happy camper.

http://www.modifiedplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/car-photo-homemade-diy-wood-wooden-wheel-spacer-fail.jpg

[[Jacek]]

Another fact is that the CAMS regulations allow for one spacer on each wheel.

[huggy_b]

They are illegal on a road car unless fitted as "standard" like on certain Porsches.

Chances of being caught with them are minimal unless you are trying to run a ridiculous wide and obvious spacer though. So if you do write off your car with spacers on, be prepared to possibly lose your insurance due to having an "unroadworthy car". You'd be bloody unlucky but insurance companies will weasel out of paying in any way, shape or form they can.

[180SXTCY]

the only information you need about spacers is that they're homo. get the correct size / offset rim to start with.

[jzx_andy]

advantages:
- you can create more clearance for your brakes
- you can make your wheels sit more flush
- you can get spacers that allow you to run wheels with a different PCD to the one your car has

the disadvantages:
- big spacers look homo, especially on stockies or any other wheel that isnt wide
- when you are looking for particularly small spacers you are usually limited to slip on spacers, and those are relatively "unsafe"
- will have to do guardwork once past a certain threshold... but you'd have to do that with wide wheels/tyres anyway
- if insurance/cops find out about it, they wont like it
- if you went with a quality brand of spacers, you're probably better off (cash wise) selling your current wheels and purchasing a different set that come in the fitment you want

[LarryDavid]

if you have searched, you no doubt have seen the dangers with them..

you are essentially increasing the moment arm which will put extra stress on your wheel bearings. i guess its no different to larger offset wheels tho?
can also cause the studs to fail if not tightened properly

[DJDINO]

I ran 10mm spacers on the front of the IX track car without issue, I would only use hub centric and a quality brand, if using slip on spacers use ARP long studs (IMO). Porsche used spacers in some models from the factory, like anything cheap is not good and good is not cheap, good quality spacers are +$150 per pair.

[TJ]

This is a bit of a bump

I have found some wheels I really like for a bargain price.

Problem is their offset is silly low.

18 by 8 +48
18 by 9 +60

Am going to have to run like 20/30mm spacers

Is that safe?

[R3N]

their offset is silly HIGH

I've run up to a 25mm bolt on with no problems. I prefer bolt ons than just slip ons. 30mm, not sure if they are available?

[Intercpt]

Jesus that's crazy high hahaha

[TJ]

Yeah I meant high, its been 4 hours of sleep and coffee hasnt kicked in yet :P

They are off a S2000, yay honda

[monk_13]

Those spacers are fine. My street rims have shitty Toyo offsets so I run a 20 up front and a 30 down back.

Have done a couple RAC & Midvale days on them as well as Barbs a long time ago. Just make sure they are good quality and tensioned correctly.

[TJ]

Anyone recommend any brands - first time Ive ever even thought about running spacers.

[monk_13]

I'm running ISC hubcentrics. http://www.isccoilovers.com.au/wheel-spacers

[SlamDunk]

I run AF Racing hub centric spacers on my evo for events only... only reason i do that is to increase the front end track width for better traction and less weigh transfer at the bent, NOT for clear the calipers or guards wotsoever. They are made of billet 6061-T6 aluminum alloy, with 33mm grade 10.9 studs. I forgot which dealer i got them from, you might just search 'AF racing spacer", they can custom made any thickness you want.

[tinto]

Anyone recommend any brands - first time Ive ever even thought about running spacers.
http://www.hrsprings.com/products/trak/

[Jazza]

I run AF Racing hub centric spacers on my evo for events only... only reason i do that is to increase the front end track width for better traction and less weigh transfer at the bent, NOT for clear the calipers or guards wotsoever. They are made of billet 6061-T6 aluminum alloy, with 33mm grade 10.9 studs. I forgot which dealer i got them from, you might just search 'AF racing spacer", they can custom made any thickness you want.

This is something I don't think many people consider either.. wider track!

[RMCprime]

I run 30mm bolt on, hub centric spacers on my falcon to go from the e-series +6 to the ba +36 offset. Never had a problem, done a bunch of track days with them. Just make sure they have good studs.