Quick Question about spacers

[Muad_dib77]

I'll be needing 7mm spacers for my new alloys.... however I'm having a hard time finding the actual size..

So I'm thinking I'd get a 5mm and a 3mm making it 8mm... but would it work out alright to have 2spacers or is there some mad thing that'll make the universe implode if I do stick 2 spacers on each wheel??

[Myfeckin FTO]

Not a good idea to put 2 sets of spacers on there - will put a lot of stress on hub, bearings and rim. Handling will most def be affected.

Spacers are more generally avail in 5mm incredements.

I'd go with a 10mm spacer but just be aware that the higher you go the less room you will have on the studs (unless you replace with longer studs). There are also spacers available that look like an adapter - they bolt onto existing hub using existing studs but have a totally new set of studs on them - look like a more secure option.





Try and get aluminium or magnesium spacers as they will be much lighter (less unsprung weight) - also make sure they are hubcentric.

You'll also need to be aware that the further you push your wheel out the more likely it will be to rub off the wheel arch so I wouldn't go with any mad witdh spacers - will ruin the handling as well.

[Muad_dib77]

Coolio., thanks

Slightly confused about how it would put more stress on the hubs, rims & bearings with two sets of spacers... but I trust you - so I'll stick with 1 set..

Already have 4x5mm on the way - hoping I wont get rubbing with them - if I do it's no major disaster..as they didn't cost the world.. Can always pick up some 10mm somewhere...



They're Alu..which should make them lightweight...

[gtoirl]

I have a pair of 3mm (5 stud) spacers. if you want them to try them out. I would definitely recommend one of the ones pictured in Myfeckin FTOs post above if you have to go the spacer route. Anything over 6mm will give you very little tread to hold the wheels on.

The ones you have there look very like mine and they caused an unbeliviable amount of judder and shaking. You need to pay alot for good spacers, think my brothers ones cost about €120, 20mm hub centric.

I got mine just to move the car from one place to another after fitting new struts. I have another couple of spacers still on the car while I wait for new tyres, you can have them to try too if you want.

Putting spacers will move the centre line of the wheel away from where it is meant to be so you'll have to get the full works sorted out after you fit them camber, toe etc..

[Muad_dib77]

I have a pair of 3mm (5 stud) spacers. if you want them to try them out. I would definitely recommend one of the ones pictured above if you have to go the spacer route. Anything over 6mm will give you very little tread to hold the wheels on. Also they can cause judder and shaking as they are not always perfectly smooth.

Oh wow., . don't like the sound of that at all... :-s.. definately don't want any judder!

At the moment I have oodles of thread left - so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

TA for the offer though..

Putting spacers will move the centre line of the wheel away from where it is meant to be so you'll have to get the full works sorted out after you fit them camber, toe etc..

Oh right...of course! Didn't think about that - will be sure to have the spacers prior to getting the tracking sorted. Nice1...

[CJ]

Maud, you shoulda got 17's

CJ

[Myfeckin FTO]

Already have 4x5mm on the way - hoping I wont get rubbing with them - if I do it's no major disaster..as they didn't cost the world.. Can always pick up some 10mm somewhere......

I was going to suggest phoning Camskill - I'm sure Mike could have sourced a decent set.
Hmm- Those are cheapo ebay universal ones aren't they?
Well they're fairly narrow at 5mm so won't cause too much of an issue but don't come crying to me when your rear wheel passes you out on the road.

[soc]

Maud, I've got 15mm spacers on the rear of my golf and have done a good bit of research on the topic.

If you're going to go over 5mm with the spacer width then the most important thing is to get hubcentric spacers - this means there is a lip on the spacer where you fit the wheel same as the hub and it ensures the wheel will sit dead center - if you don't get hubcentrics then you could get a lot of nasty vibration when driving.

If you're going for 5mm or less spacers then it shouldn't be a problem - and AFAIK no-one actually makes 5mm (or less) hubcentric spacers.

FWIW, I got some eibach 15mm spacers and they cost me over 100 euro - I've been told that cheap spacers are bad news.....

As for the bolts - I can't remember if the FTO has bolts attached to the hub or not - the golf doesn't so I just bought some longer wheel nuts with the spacers to compesate for the additional 15mm. If the FTO does have the bolts attached to the hub and you want 5mm + spacers then I'd sugest you go with MfFTO's advice above - get some spacers which look like hub adaptors - they bolt to the hub and then you bolt the wheel to the spacer -

Check out these links for more information....

http://www.performancealloys.com/alloy_ ... pacers.asp
http://www.forgemotorsport.co.uk/conten ... uct=FMAUWS
http://www.tunershop.co.uk/
http://www.fk-automotive.com/en/

[Muad_dib77]

Maud, you shoulda got 17's

CJ

You're right... this is all turning in to a bit of a nightmare! *GAH!*

anyways it can't go worse than wrong..

I'm ordering ITG & apex springs today from Rice - so I'll have the car nice & low before getting the new rims on..

Yes the spacers I've ordered are cheapo ones from eBay.. If they turn out to be poo I'll fork out and get a less "cost effective" solution (-was just at a meeting with a bunch of suits...so excuse the language pls!)..

I'm hoping to have the rims on for the meet...hoping and praying actually..

[Dave]

whilst we're on the topic here, what would happen if you say fit a decent set of spacers to the rear, 25MM and say 10's to the front?

[kevinod]

whilst we're on the topic here, what would happen if you say fit a decent set of spacers to the rear, 25MM and say 10's to the front?

Can you say 'dune buggy'? Joking, I dunno...

[Myfeckin FTO]

whilst we're on the topic here, what would happen if you say fit a decent set of spacers to the rear, 25MM and say 10's to the front?

It would really depend on what offset you are currently running.
For example if I put 25mm spacers on my present (correct) offset - the wheels would stick out well beyond the wheel arch and def would rub.
I suppose you could stretch the wheelarch - bodyshop could heat the existing arch and reshape to allow for new offset.

If running 25mm spacers you would have to have the hub adapter type spacer - longer bolts would just not hack it - there would be too much stress. It would also be essential that the spacers would be hubcentric and that the alloy would be correctly located onto the hub.

I would imagine you would likely get handling issues if running different offsets front and rear as well. If its purely for looks though - I would understand it - but I personally wouldn't do it cause I like my car to handle. Your bearings wouldn't last very long in any case - there would still be a much increased amount of stress on them.