Besides using spacers for looks, spacers can also be used for one other thing - to clear brakes. At least that is what I used them for in the front of my car. Otherwise my wheels wouldn't fit my brakes and I'd have to buy new wheels. I've had them on over well over a year and 0 problems including track and autocross. I know a few other people that has as well, 0 problems.

 

I thought offset was the determining factor to premature wheel bearing and suspension wear. i.e. +30 offset and you add a 10mm spacer = +20 offset, which would cause the same wear if you purchase a wheel with +20 offset. I think the horror stories are from ppl who installed the spacers incorrectly or purchased poorly made spacers.

 

^exactly,. the further the weight of the wheel is from the hub, the more stress. So all those flush and dumped guys have the highest stress on their hubs and bearing, with or without spacers.

 

I don't think that's accurate... sure a +20 offset wheel will sit the same as a +30 with a 10mm spacer, but it's putting different stress on the hubs. With a spacer you are adding space between where the wheel is meant to mount, increasing the distance from wheel to wheel. If the wheel has an aggressive offset it still mounts as intended, however the offset sticks it out further. Not completely sure, just seems to make sense especially when you're talking larger spacers.

 

I say just stay away from cheap stuff.....i have never heard of anything happening to someone from running spacers, 1000's of people run them, even on track/drift cars.

 

+1, I haven't heard of anything going wrong with people running spacers. Just get reputable brands and you'll be fine.

 

I've actually seen people snap wheel studs off with spacers.

That guy didn't know what he was talking about saying spacers would rob HP, but he was right in saying they add stress...specifically on the lugs. My moving the wheel out away from the hub, it puts more leverage on the studs and can lead to snapping them.

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

Needless to say, there is plenty of evidence out there showing that bad things can happen with spacers.

I usually tell people that if the wheel requires a spacer to fit, then it doesn't fit period and you should find a new wheels.


And if you are going to use spacers anyway, upgrade your lugs to hardened lugs. Should be $20/wheel but worth the extra strenght and safety factor. Also, use high quality reputable spacers if you must. I wouldn't put $20 autozone spacers on my car.

 

spacers ftl

 

WOW... I would have never known this if hadnt come across this thread.

Thanks for posting. Definite NAY on spacers...

* YES! I get to save money! * lol

 

im no pro but by using any common sense if you have a wheel that sits good because the offset is correct even then some stress is there, and the same stress is there if you had the same weight wheel but a offset that isnt perfect so a 20mm spacer is used, either way the weight of the wheel on the bearing is going to be the same with or without the spacer. spacers are only bad if you like to purchase them form ebay and are poor quality.

 

I'm putting spacers on saturday. 15mm rear and 10mm front. As long as you get reputable brands such as Ichiba or whatever, you'll be fine.

 

I see A LOT of misinformation in this thread.
1. Spacers add additional stress to the wheel bearings compared to the same wheel without the use of the spacer, but no more than a wheel with a lower offset. a 9.5+10 will result in the same stress on the bearings as a 9.5+30 with a 20mm spacer. PERIOD.
2. Spacers, when used with replacement extended length studs are not much more likely to fail than a stock stud. Most people who snap studs are those who use spacers without replacing the stock studs with the longer supplied studs. Not enough thread engagement on lug is the major cause of stud snapping.
3. AutoX absolutely allows spacers, as well as many other sanctioned racing associations. Many race teams use spacers to get brake clearance. Heck, even Bogart wheels, one of the premier drag racing wheel suppliers includes spacers for some of their wheels for brake clearance.

 

what about +5 offset wheels??? is that stress on the wheel bearing???

 

Cliffs of thread:
Dont buy cheap spacers
If you buy spacers make sure you install the supplied extended lugs
Everyone needs to stop spreading mis-information, ive seen spacers in just about every motorsport at the track, they arent banned...

 

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