Hows it goin all?

Just wanted some info regarding wheel spacers. For track i wish to use stock rims but at the same time keep my spoon calipers on, for me to do this im looking at 15-20mm spacer. I have searched the forums but nothing sufficient has come up. From what i have found the H&R wheel spacers seem to be the best ones there since they have the extended stud, would this mean i wouldnt have to replace to current wheel studs? Also would spacers be good enough for tracking applications? Also where would sell these sort of spacers?

Thanks

 

This post might be a bit late but for what it's worth:

I ran 25mm spacers on my S for about a year, before I got aftermarket wheels. The extended studs were installed on the spacers so you didn't have to remove the oem ones.

I never tracked my car with the spacers on so can't help you there. I did it for asthetic reasons. I can't say for sure that it helped by way of handling. I'm assuming that it did due to a wider track and lower center of gravity.

Go to www.hrsprings.com they will refer you to a local distributor in your area.

Hope this helps.

 

Spacers certainly will not help handling. In fact they will diminish it dramatically.

Think about it. When turning your front wheel pivots around an axis somewhere down through the center of the tyre. If you move the wheel out 20mm you are moving the wheel out but not the pivot point. So effectively when you turn left your left wheel is moving backwards and your right forwards.

Spacers are bad news and should be avoided at all costs.

 

I thought it had the same effect as wider aftermarket wheels. Most people when installing aftermarket wheels usually go with a wider setup, therefore, extending the track and lowering the center of gravity making it handle better. Same effect when spacers are installed. Yes or no?

Correct me if I'm wrong. I believe I got this info from HRspring's website:

www.hrsprings.com

 

Track doesn't affect center of gravity (unless we're talking very heavy chromies).

Spacers move the wheels out. I guess that could have a positive effect on handling but the negatives as outlined above far outweigh the positive.

If you install wider wheels with a high offset (the excess width is on the inside) then spacers may be used to realign the center of the wheel but this is seldom the case. We require a high offset to begin width.

 

^^makes sense^^

 

Back from the death i know its like 2 years old but the questions pops up again,

Are wheel spacers really that bad?? for a person that mostly care of looks, never tracks but don't want to loose control in the highway either, would spacers still be a bad idea? inputs? thanks alot

 

What size are we talking? Small spacers wont be dangerous but obviously its relative to how big you go. It will also increase the wear on your wheel bearings though this might not be a huge concern as long as you monitor them.

 

This is what is called the scrub radius.

Ideally you want the point that the wheel pivouts around in the centre of the wheel.

The more the wheel is outset from the pivot point the more the steering will start to be pulled around by bumps and undulations on the road. In the extreme case the steering will no longer centre and can even try to pull itself to full lock under braking.

Adding wider wheels is OK provided you add width to both the inside and outside of the wheel.

Spacers effectively add wheel to the outside and removes it from the inside.

Having said that, spaces up to 10mm thickness will only make minor changes to the steering. Beyond that things can get interesting

Chris

 

How about 10mm spacer in the rear? 5mm or non in front? would that harm the car in any way?

and at the same time would that be enough to make a difference in looks?