wheel spacers

[XxJaPxOxNeEs23xX]

i was wondering cuz someone told me that itl make it weeker by putting wheel spacers on. i dont know if its the spindle but its where it bolts up to the tire. do those spokes become weeker? i dont have aftermarket rims on yet, nd i was just wondering just in case if i do havet to get spacers.

[RBS14]

SEARCH!!!! what the hell is with all these noobs these days?!?!

[TRUENOCOUPE]

This has been covered before.

Spacers = Gay and not safe.

It puts stress on spindles, and bearings. Bad Bearings = Wheel flying!

-Al

[XxJaPxOxNeEs23xX]

ok dang nd i did search, but thers too many to search

trueno thanks by the way

[TRUENOCOUPE]

ok dang nd i did search, but thers too many to search

trueno thanks by the way

I saw stay around 7MM if you want spacers. Thats the safest way to to.

Click on my sig for Techno Toy Tuning. He has them for sale.

[RBS14]

Gabe is a fucktard. Buy them from anyone but T3.

[TRUENOCOUPE]

Gabe is a fucktard. Buy them from anyone but T3.

Why you say that?

Just curious, I think hes cool ass hell.

-Al

[RBS14]

He comes off as really arrogant towards me. Acts like he's above me.

[240Stilo]

If you don't have any aftermarket wheels then don't even think about spacers. If you want aftermarket wheels then go ahead and do a 5 lug conversion and know what exact size you're looking for by searching through the bazillion pics of wheels on zilvia. Follow these simple rules so your future self doesn't hop in a time machine just to slap you for buying spacers. I speak from experience on this matter so don't for one second think I'm pulling this shit out my ass eventhough I sometimes do.

[TRUENOCOUPE]

He comes off as really arrogant towards me. Acts like he's above me.

Oh come on Scott. That so silly of you. Gabe is the nicest guy that I have meet.

I come off as shithead, but you know better than that.

-Al

[XxJaPxOxNeEs23xX]

i know that i shouldnt buy rims if i have to buy spacers but some rims dont have the offsets that are on the threads. i mean some rims dont have a lot of offsets to choose from.so i was jsut wondering, if its ok, nd would it snap

[Dream240]

i know that i shouldnt buy rims if i have to buy spacers but some rims dont have the offsets that are on the threads. i mean some rims dont have a lot of offsets to choose from.so i was jsut wondering, if its ok, nd would it snap

Use common sense, YES it will affect your car in a negative way. YES it is not recommended for everyday driving applications. YES there is MANY threads out there that cover this topic, and finally YES you need to use a dictionary.....

I'm just anal about people that don't know how to spell, or are just lazy. If you have a high school diploma or are working towards one then you should be able to spell words like "weaker" and "AND" not "weeker" and "nd". Unless your "A" key is gone.....sorry if I'm a little harsh.

Just out of curiosity what rims are you planning on running?

[orion::S14]

Guys...what's the issue with good, hub centric spacers on a daily driven car...NOTHING.

Spacers are almost a "BPU" thing for VWs, and they don't evert have stories of wheels falling off.

If you use a proper spacer - Hub centric and wheel-centric - Like H&R...with new, longer studs...there is NO PROBLEM.

My S14 used to be my daily driver...it still sees a lot of street use (~8,000 miles year at least)...plus track time. And I've never had an issue with my 15mm H&R spacers...

Now, if you use some generic 1/4" spacers from PepBoys with a universal hole pattern and stock lugs...YES, they may fail and casue a wheel to fall off or something.

But high quality spacers are no less safe than no spacer at all.

- Brian

[Dream240]

i totally agree with you. But he's talking about using the generic spacers from Pepboys. Obviously from his post. If you go the route of longer studs and some serious spacers like 15-30mm, then i'm sure there's no problems (I have previous threads to thank for this revelation). But it just sounds like he's asking about the small 5mm spacers that most people get as a quick fix for fitment issues. i went that route with my old rims that didn't fit once I did my front brake upgrade, really just a band aid for fitment issues, not recommended for a permant fix.

Good point orion....

[FRpilot]

yea i was gonna respond too. get some nismo studs and H&R spacers. that's what im going to do.

[TRUENOCOUPE]

I don't care what spacers they are. Pepboys, HR etc...
I personally would not run a loose spacer of any thickness for any reason. Loose spacers on the studs are just a problem waiting to happen, IMNSHO, and I just woudn't go there.

In the immortal words of Carroll Smith: "Bolts must be used to clamp, _not_ to locate".

They greatly increase the likelyhood of breaking a wheelstud because the spacer allows relative movement between the wheel and the hub face, which puts a bending load on the studs. And the thicker the spacer is, the worse the bending loads are.

Trying to make simple studs exhibit a decent fatigue life in an environment of bending loads coming from everywhichway (non-hubcentric) is damned hard. Adding in spacers, which increase the leverage and therefore the addded stress from bending, makes it even harder. Sure, there are lots of people out there who run those with great success, may never have any problems, and more power to 'em. But never believe that such a setup exhibits the best possible fatigue life: the studs *are going to fail*, and fail sooner than they should. A setup that worked fine with 200hp and 9" wide tires may well have a lifetime measured in minutes when you drop in a 400hp lump and bolt on the 12" slicks!

if you are spending hub centric then why not buy the right wheel? Boyd C can makes wheels, Konigs can make wheels, Works can make different offsets.

I wouldn't volunteer to open track a car with spacers.

Goodluck.

[RBS14]

Werd, Al is right on, once again.

Al, you're an asshole too, but not to me so I still love you. :love:


:ugh:


hahahahahaha

[orion::S14]

^^^ The reason why I run a set (again, centered on the hub and the wheel, so the load is still in the right place, not on the studs) is b/c when I got my coilovers, I needed more room, and was happy with the 7.5" wheels I had.

Later, when turbo power came along, I needed more width...and the spacers actually allowed me to get wheels no one else runs on a 240SX b/c they are 17X9, +40...with my 15mm spacer, they are just right...at +25 effective offset.

But all that's not the point...

This thread says that spacers are necessarily a bad thing. Not true.

If the wheel's load is centered on the hub like with hubcentric wheels (OEM S14 wheels, for example), and you use spacers that are hub and wheel 'centric', then the load is still on the hub...NOT the studs. So it's as if you have no spacer...just as safe.

- - - - -

Your argument is like saying that plastic hubcentric rings are unsafe b/c they *may* allow movement of the wheel on the hub under load...but no one has ever contributed a wheel failure to plastic hubcentric rings.

Now, if the extra leverage on the stud is your argument...that shouldn't be the issue, b/c the load is on the hub, not the studs.

- - - - -

I follow what you're saying, but it doesn't apply to properly designed hubcentric spacers.

- Brian

[s13panda2004]

Hmm.. This is what I understand.

Al is saying spacers will put more bending load and stress on the wheels.

But you can also make the argument that running lower offset wheels would also act like installing a spacer.

Take for example a stock S14 SE. It has those 16x7 (correct me if I'm wrong) +44 wheels. Then say for example you install a set of 17x9 +15 FN01s on it. Essentially what Al is saying is that, the 17x9 +15 FN01 wheels will put more stress on the wheel hub/spindle/bearings/whatever than the stock 16x7 +44 SE wheels. So by installing +30mm spacers on a 16x7 +44 SE wheel, you're practically installing 17x9 +15 FN01 wheels.

The bottom line is? Don't install low offset wheels and keep it within factory specs? Don't install spacers because your car's wheels will fall off?

[89s132b]

This thread is funny. Everyone who has used spacers (correctly) and has had a wheel fall off raise your hand?

anyone?

I made my own 17mm spacers out of stock aluminum disks on a drill press and I have run them for a year with no problem whatsoever.

[North240]

No one has brought up a defense for bolt on hubcentric/wheelcentris spacers yet, like H&R, or Kics, i really don't think you are going to have an issue there.

[s13silady]

while were on the topic, what does everyone think about "kics" spacers?

http://optionimports.com/kiprwhsp.html

instead of a loose spacer, it is a polt on spacer with attached studs... im thinking of going 15 in the rear, and 10 in the front..

[Rusker]

Just buy the correct wheel.

[KOUKI KA-T]

while were on the topic, what does everyone think about "kics" spacers?
instead of a loose spacer, it is a polt on spacer with attached studs... im thinking of going 15 in the rear, and 10 in the front..
I use them with my stock SE wheels, 30mm rear and 25mm front.
10mm are not adaptors, just spacers so you'd need to replace stock studs.
And if you use anything less then a 20mm adaptor your stock studs are going to protrude past the spacer and into your wheels if they have a full circular backpad.

[Flybert]

30mm kics spacers without the rings and no problems for almost a year now.

[420sx]

yea im considering those alot. seems safe design, its just more bolts to stress/break

[s13panda2004]

Alright so today I mounted my 8mm spacers. The lip on the front wheels now sit flush with the fender. However, I'm not crazy like Scott (RBS14) and I'm not super slammed BH-status. I actually have to daily drive my car on some of the worse roads in So. Cal.

I noticed when I mounted 'em, the spacers were not hub or lug centric. SURPRISE SURPRISE! Not big deal right? I was thinking of using some tape and sticking them in place, but I thought the efforts would be futile.

I mounted the spacers and reinstalled my wheels. I torqued down my lugs (cheap ass Kyokugens) to 86 lbs. Then I proceeded to drive around my neighborhood trying to notice any shimmying or unusual steering wheel vibrations. Didn't experience any so I went out and bought lunch. Came home, ate lunch and went back outside with my torque wrench to double check the lugs. I then noticed that some of the lugs were somewhat, slightly loose. So I torqued them down and went driving around again. I came back to my car with the torque wrench and tested all my lugs again. Every single lug clicked exactly 86 lbs.

Now I just got home from watching Sin City. I drove about 25 miles (mostly freeway) on my wheels w/ the spacers. After I got home, I went ahead and tested my lug nuts. Everything was kosher. 86 lbs on every lug nut.

Every couple of days I'm going to check my lug nuts just in case anything happens. I doubt anything should happen. 8mm isn't all that much. I'm also running stock studs and the lug nuts turns freely 5 spins before getting tight. Before torquing it down, it spins a few more times with the wrench.

The only problem that makes me a little sketchy about the spacers is the fact that they're not hub centric. I think I should make some hub centric rings next week when I have time. I'll feel more comfortable knowing that my spacers are on straight. I doubt they'll move though, 86 lbs of pressure from 5 different points. The spacers are pretty squashed in there.

[sw20>>s14]

Take for example a stock S14 SE. It has those 16x7 (correct me if I'm wrong) +44 wheels.

iirc, 16x6.5 et 40

[SirWarrior]

I have heard also that the lug nuts have to be checked from time to time. But its no biggie, as checking air pressure every week and doing the lugnuts at the same time won't be a big deal.
I can't wait for mine to get here. ordered the 5mm ones.

[XxJaPxOxNeEs23xX]

iv seen a best motoring video. its an old corolla one. nd one of the race cars tire falls off during the race and they state that it was due to spacers.

[North240]

I saw someone fall down once on a wet surface, someone told me it was because of shoes....

I still wear shoes though, i guess i'm just daring!

[final act]

spacers are safe, many japan guys as well as us guys have been using them for a long time now to get the better of crappy offset rims, if you are using them on stock studs 5mm would be the limit, but if you have bolt on types you can add couple more small spacers to the bolt on type if you please to bring it out that much more...I have 25mm bolt ons in the front and 30mm in the rear that I also combine a 5mm and a 3mm to.....daily driven and monthly drift events, just make sure your lug nuts have enuff turn to keep it solid.

[holisticbeatz]

... if you are using them on stock studs 5mm would be the limit...


I'm running 8mm spacers with stock wheel studs on my S14 and its fine. The lugs spin freely 4-5 turns before getting tight. Once that happens, I can wrench it in a few more turns before torquing it down.

[sw20>>s14]

i should search... ... but whats the difference between spacers and adaptors? i kind of get the gist, but any detailed explanations?

[KingKong8247]

http://www.pdm-racing.com/products/imag/Wheelspacers.jpg
Spacers

http://store1.yimg.com/I/import-store_1834_80256323
Bolt on spacers or adapters because you can change the bolt pattern if youd like

[frozencoconutz]

do you have to re-torque the lug nuts on wheel adapters every once in a while? thinking about getting some kics....

[sw20>>s14]

^ thank you for the visuals. i have seen both a million times and knew what they were, but never noticed how beefy the adaptors were. i assumed they were for just changing bolt pattern...so maximum width with stock studs for spacers should be no more than 5mm. and for adaptors, you can go as crazy as you want?

[holisticbeatz]

Its been over a week and I've been checking my lugs every so often after driving. So far, everything that was torqued down to 86 lbs stayed at 86 lbs.

[floodo1]

can anyone advise on a good source for hub/wheel centric 4->5lug wheel adaptor/spacers?

thx

[theronin]

while were on the topic, what does everyone think about "kics" spacers?

http://optionimports.com/kiprwhsp.html

instead of a loose spacer, it is a polt on spacer with attached studs... im thinking of going 15 in the rear, and 10 in the front..


i have 15mm front and 25mm rear of that brand, top notch quality. get the hub rings too.

HIGHLY RECOMENDED!

[neverdone]

Lets say Im pushing s14 se wheels further out. What is a better solution for safety? 60mm nismo studs and h&R 20 or 30 mm spacer? Or the kicks alternative?

[SilviaDriver]

arent H&R spacers adapters? not plate spacers?

best solution is adapters

[neverdone]

I thought the H&R are just hub centric plates. The kics have a second set of studs. What do you use on your stock bolts to lock them down if you use kics?

[SilviaDriver]

you use bolts they provide

[sw20>>s14]

what is usually the min. width of the spacer you can use before the stock studs protrude past the spacer? i know some rims have another set of extra holes for this, but a lot dont...

[DocTaDrifT]

^^ i think it was 10 or 15 mm

[s14slide]

I will vouch for the bolt on spacers. I've been running 25mm bolt-ons w/ a 5 mil loose for a long while now and I've know many, many people both gaijin and Japanese been runing them. 4 out of 5 people I know out here w/ S chassi's, RX's or any FR platform for that matter run some kind of spacer and no one I've ever known ever had a problem.with them. There's also plenty of guys that run multiple spacers if need be and they don't have a prob. I'd be more confident in saying that those people that run spacers and have had a wheel fall off can be more attributed to people not rechecking their lugs after driving a while. Any wheel guy will tell you that with any wheel you put on, you should recheck the the lugs torque after your first drive, most I've known say 25-50 miles. BTW, all these cars are daily drivers and they're run hard all the time. Just don't stack a bunch of slap-ons on there.

[FaLKoN240]

Back from the dead.

So. . .15mm BOLT ON SPACER is OK? Or what?

Any new opinions? I think I'm gonna get some H&Rs.

To make my 17x8 +30 into 17x8 +15

[tre]

Extened Studs with spacers are okay to a certain degree. If you start doing 20mm+ Stuff I'd highly suggest getting a Bolt on spacer. (bolts on to your existing studs) then has a set of its own studs that you bolt your wheel onto.

Spacers are NOT gay by any mean. Do not let people discourage you.

I'm possibly looking to run wheel spacers shortly pending on how this wheel sits on my car. But someone has my lug key atm >.< lol

[FaLKoN240]

I can't put any plate spacers on, that's why I'm asking if the bolt on ones are koo. Thanks for trying though.

[P4rD0nM3]

Wheel spacers taht are wheel centric and hub centric and that are bolt on are pretty good inmo. I used 15mm and 35mm spacers until I was able to find low offsets for my car.

[gotta240]

i still dont see why anyone would use a "spacer" if an "adapter(bolt on type)" is available in the same size...

They SEEM so much safer to me... I'm running 2 inch(YES, thats like 50mm) on my toyota with 33 inch tires, heavy ass rims, and severe abuse....love em so far.

The only downside i could see would be more rotating mass of another 5 lugnuts, and the forged disk spacer....

but what do i know.....jmo

[ranisron]

spacers are cheap and safe if used correctly, adapters are expensive (but relatively safer)...

I need some adapters for the rear.

[P4rD0nM3]

Ahaha. Sorry! I tend to call both spacers...except that I classify them into two.

Sandwich and Bolt On.

z0mg. :(

[AN89HATCH]

So will I run into any problems using a 15mm bolt on spacer? I have sportmax 962's, and I want to push the rear out 15mm more; or should I just get longer studs and run a 15mm slide on spacer. Will this be safe?

[Megadang]

Yes it'll be fine. Ive been running H&r spacers ( 10mm in front w/nismo 60mm studs, 15mm in the rear w/ h&r studs 65 mm studs) for 3 yrs( Daily driving, touge, drifting) . No problems. AT ALL. Just torque your wheels down correctly and you should be fine.

[P4rD0nM3]

It'll be fine as long as it's a bolt on and its hub and wheel centric.

DON'T OVER TORQUE THEM!

[ichibausa]

It's very safe to use the wheel spacers correctly. Also you must put in the longer studs and make enough turn on the lug nuts.

Do not just buy a universal spacer plate, it's not that safe at all.

Here is the price for the hubcentric wheel spacers.

http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=110682&highlight=ichiba