“Wheel spacers are for idiots…!”

[UR2EZ]

i'm torn, i want to put spacers on my stock wheels, but i tend to trust redlude, and from what he's saying, this would be fine.

[Mustang5L5]

Originally Posted by UR2EZ

i'm torn, i want to put spacers on my stock wheels, but i tend to trust redlude, and from what he's saying, this would be fine.

High quality spacers + upgraded wheel studs = more than likely you won't have a problem.

[redlude97]

Originally Posted by Texasscout

Nobody said they were banned.

This guy did

Originally Posted by Mustang5L5

If you drag race or autoX, they don't let you run with spacers on.

[Mustang5L5]

I'm trying to find official documentation but where I drag race (new england dragway) and where i autocross they specifically check for spacers and make you remove them.


EDIT: Nevermind i stand corrected. This pertains to drag racing. My little AutoX club doesn't allow them, but i'm pretty sure that's just a club rule. Individual tracks might also have their own rules.

" Wheel spacer permitted. Spacer to be either hub-centric or lug-centirc and must fit with minimal clearance to retain concentricity. The wheel spacer must not reduce the minimun permitted thread engagement below the limits established by fastener diameter. No stacking of wheel spacers allowed."


Taken straight from the 2009 NHRA rulebook

[kenchan]

i wanted to fine tune the suspension and that calls for wheels with
conservative offsets + the use of various spacers to enable the
perfect offset for the car and my targets.

i ended up with +26mm all around 19x9 and 19x10 wheels with
245/35/19 and 275/35/19 running RE050A PolePositions.

so to the op... your tire store does not know suspension tuning
by wheel offset.

[big papa c-money]

Originally Posted by Texasscout

Nobody said they were banned. I only said that Discount Tire will NOT mount wheels on cars with spacers (company policy).

They did for me.

[ZIG35]

So has anyone put them on their stock OEM's either 18's or 19's? If so, what size spacer did you use?

Im curious to see what stock wheels flushed as close to fender as possible (without rubbing) with stock suspension set up would look like. Preferably coupe. Any pics?

thanks.

[boise]

I'm sure every sports car club will be have different rules but here is the rule from Western Washington Sports Car Council for the 2008 Auto slalom Standards (p. 62):

H) All lug nuts, knock-off, studs & bolts must be present and tight.
I) Single plate wheel spacer only can be used. The depth of the
threads engaged on the studs must be at least equal to the diameter of the
stud or bolt.

When you consider the liability issues in these sporting events, generally the most conservative guidelines are used to keep the lawyers out.

The important statement here is "studs must be at least equal to the diameter of the stud or bolt."

If you follow that guideline you will not generally break a stud. If you do then either the stud was weak to begin with or the force on the wheel would have broken the stud even if a spacer was not present.

What is essential is that you use quality, hardened studs that meets the car manufactures specifications.

According to my friend that manages a Les Schwab Tire Center the major problem with studs breaking or stripping is that the nut is not tightened to the manufactures recommended pound setting which is around 120ft pounds. That's a lot of torque if you have never measured it with a torque wrench.

I think "the idiots" are those who think they can squeeze by with cheap parts and don't follow proper stud length and torque requirements.

[Kazaam]

I hate threads like these where a bunch of know it all's just ramble on and on about bullsh;t they're no even sure about. Thanks Redlude and a few others for chiming in and clearing up some of the stupidity.

[xx7sephiroth7xx]

Originally Posted by ZIG35

So has anyone put them on their stock OEM's either 18's or 19's? If so, what size spacer did you use?

Im curious to see what stock wheels flushed as close to fender as possible (without rubbing) with stock suspension set up would look like. Preferably coupe. Any pics?

thanks.

I have 20mm front/25mm rear project kics spacers for my OEM 19s. Pretty flush. If you want pics, just PM me.

[bflemi3]

Originally Posted by xx7sephiroth7xx

I have 20mm front/25mm rear project kics spacers for my OEM 19s. Pretty flush. If you want pics, just PM me.

I just put those on last night. I have to get the fender rolled because I'm having some rubbing. I have the oem 18's.

Question - How long have you had your spacers? and, have you encountered any problems with them? Oh, and did you have to roll the fender?

Thanks

[Triple8Sol]

Any combination of running wheels that are wider, heavier, lower offset (whether with spacers or not) will put more stress on some suspension components, causing them to wear faster. Is it a big deal, would it cost much to replace parts down the road, and is it a safety issue? No. If you do run spacers, buy ones that are from a reputable company like H&R, Eibach, or KICS.

[releasedtruth]

Agreed T8S, knock on wood. I've been rolling H&R 25s on M wheels and everything at least feels and appears legit thus far. Course I'm just cruisin, but still.