Spacers?

[marjen]

Anyone doing spacers? I feel the wheels need to be pushed out a little more to give it a wider stance. I have never done spacers, any brands or suggestions? Thanks.

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[H1 GT]

My $0.02...

Spacers are bad

I was into Pro-touring quite a bit when I had my Trans Am...the general consensus was always that spacers are bad. They just put more stress where it isn't supposed to be and wear parts out faster. Yes, 90% of people may never have problems, but I've seen hubs break before so I won't mess with them, not even the 1/4" shim type spacers.

Why not just save for new wheels?

 

[OppoLock]

+1^

 

[SVTFreak]

Ive run them in my 03 Cobras. 11 gt (supercharged) and my xterra. Never had s single issue. Only use bolt on spacers. Ensure your wheels have reliefs for the bolts

 

[marjen]

Did not know they were bad. I wonder if they make a wider version of the 20" foundry wheels? Could stagger them.

 

[SVTFreak]

Did not know they were bad. I wonder if they make a wider version of the 20" foundry wheels? Could stagger them.

I've not seen any proof that they are. Depending on which mechanical engineer you ask, I guess, depending on wheels and fitment etc, it could put more load on the bearings. But others say that it's not a big deal. If I was running a car all out, I may not because more connection points is more possible failure points maybe? But, as I've said, I've got plenty plenty miles using them and never had so much as even a seal drip.

 

[SVTFreak]

It's the whole "when you pee in the ocean, does the level rise?" Discussion. If standing on land, of course it does. Is it measureable? Is it realistic?

 

[McCarthy]

I always thought spacers were a bad idea to run in any sort of track environment, until Terry Fair and Vorschlag started using them on their TT3 Mustang. That thing was run much harder than any of us would on a track, and their spacers held up fine.

 

[Grimace427]

I always thought spacers were a bad idea to run in any sort of track environment, until Terry Fair and Vorschlag started using them on their TT3 Mustang. That thing was run much harder than any of us would on a track, and their spacers held up fine.

Terry also uses extended ARP wheel studs, not stock.

 

[SVTFreak]

Terry also uses extended ARP wheel studs, not stock.

If using spacers with just the holes, this is a must. 1/4" even would put not enough thread engagement to trust. I've never used those. I only would use either spacers with longer studs for 1/4-3/8" or the thicker spacers with another set of studs in them that bolt in then the wheels bolts on to those. Maximum motorsports sells some that at hubcentric. Off road guys use them a lot. And if they don't break them, I know I won't.

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

I've not seen any proof that they are. Depending on which mechanical engineer you ask, I guess, depending on wheels and fitment etc, it could put more load on the bearings. But others say that it's not a big deal. If I was running a car all out, I may not because more connection points is more possible failure points maybe? But, as I've said, I've got plenty plenty miles using them and never had so much as even a seal drip.

It's kind of intuitively obvious that they're not good for the suspension. I mean, it's a simple physics thing -- putting spacers on the wheels acts as a lever, and the further out you push the wheels, the greater the pressure at the wheel hubs from the lever action. I mean, just look at a car with spacers; you know it can't possibly be good for the suspension:

 

[SVTFreak]

It's kind of intuitively obvious that they're not good for the suspension. I mean, it's a simple physics thing -- putting spacers on the wheels acts as a lever, and the further out you push the wheels, the greater the pressure at the wheel hubs from the lever action. I mean, just look at a car with spacers; you know it can't possibly be good for the suspension:

I concede that you are correct. But it's how much is the issue. Show me the math. How much more and how much more takes to actually hurt the bearings?

 

[marjen]

I was just looking to push them out like a 1/2" to 3/4 of an inch. Not a huge deal, might scrap the idea, but thought it might look a little better.

 

[Anthony]

All top fuel, funny car and pro stock cars use wheel spacers at one time or another.

I've seen them glued on nascar brake hats too

I've seen a lot of stuff break too. Mostly installer error, improper torque, inadequate thread engagement

 

[908ssp]

It depends.

On the quality of the spacer, if the spacer is hub-centric on both sides then it is a good spacer and doesn't add any shear forces to the studs.

It depends on what wheels you are using. Wider wheels with too much offset can be put back where they belong with spacers and don't add any stress to the bearings or wheel studs.

A good spacer with stock wheels can put slightly more stress on the bearings and change suspension geometry but it is a matter of degree a 1/4" won't have any significant issues.

My PP car has 14mm studs these are much larger than the 1/2" that were on the S197 and much stronger they aren't much longer so they will only work with small spacers and the spacers should still be hub-centric inside and out.

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