How safe are wheel spacers ?

[alicesxu]

Hey, guys I just installed two-wheel spacers in the rear, I'm a little worried because there is nothing holding the rim in place now just bolts. Will I be ok will the bolts hold?

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[SupraCal]

The bolts that come with the spacers are longer than OEM to cater for the increased width.
There are mixed opinions on this.
I have 13mm in front and 15mm rear from BM.

 

[2Cool]

Did you install hubcentric spacers? I would not recommend the generic flat spacers, at least not more than 5mm thick so the existing wheel hub still locates the wheel prior to bolting it down.

The hub isn't the part that retains the wheel, that is done by the clamping force of the lug bolts. But it is what allows you to easily center the wheel prior to installing the lugs. You could technically bolt the wheel up without a central hub, but you have a much higher chance of being off-center and creating vibration issues.

 

[f22bub]

I hope your spacers came with new bolts otherwise you HAVE TO get longer ones. Stock wheel bolt thread length is 28mm (M14x1,25) . Your new bolts need to be 28mm + thickness of your spacers. I got 12mm front , 15mm back spacers (from H&R, european spec) which means I got 40mm (28mm+12mm) bolt at the front, 43mm (28mm+15mm) bolts at the back. If you install them yourself I'd recommend using a little ceramic paste or any other anti-seize liquid to prevent the spacers (and the tip of the new bolts) from sticking over time

 

[AlRayes_BRN]

I think I'm going to ditch the spacers. Depending on the weight of the spacers they add unsprung weight and increase rotational mass as well as the rotational inertia. Plus they put stress on the wheel bearings.

 

[Bundy]

The weight of a 10-15 mm aluminum spacer is negatable.

In many cases you will add more weight when changing rims or tires.

 

[Supraboi7]

Future classic spacers are the way to go. Lightweight and high quality hub centric, no wobble at all. They come with a retaining bolt so if you take your wheels off they’re still fastened to the hub

 

[angrytoddler]

Went with 12.5 and 15mm spacers. Have had zero issues. Just follow the previous advice. Go with high quality spacers and extended bolts for the extra spacer width.

 

[SupraMKV2.0]

The weight of a 10-15 mm aluminum spacer is negatable.

In many cases you will add more weight when changing rims or tires.

Yeah, the weight of the spacers isn’t going to be noticeable. Just by sitting in the car you’re placing stress on many components...you can offset that by losing a pound or two.

 

[Rocksandblues]

Yeah, the weight of the spacers isn’t going to be noticeable. Just by sitting in the car you’re placing stress on many components...you can offset that by losing a pound or two.

whoa, shots fired

 

[SupraMKV2.0]

whoa, shots fired

That post wasn't pointed towards anyone...I was just making the point that the few ounces that the spacers weigh will be negligible and that it'd be no different if the driver of the vehicle were to lose a couple of pounds.

 

[angrytoddler]

Yeah, the weight of the spacers isn’t going to be noticeable. Just by sitting in the car you’re placing stress on many components...you can offset that by losing a pound or two.

You calling me fat? Someone hold my sandwich while I sit on this guy!

 

[Axix23]

I will never run spacers on any of my cars. If you want the flush look, either get wider tires or different wheels. Spacers is more of a temporary cheap fix.

 

[angrytoddler]

I will never run spacers on any of my cars. If you want the flush look, either get wider tires or different wheels. Spacers is more of a temporary cheap fix.

My spacers look great!

 

[Axix23]

My spacers look great!

nobody said it doesn't look good.

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