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[jclaib7]

What is the purpose of wheel spacers? I thought it was only to give clearance for over sized break calipers.

Someone suggested that they might make the car look more aggressive as well as widening the stance and improving handling slightly.

Is this worthwhile?

[Lmaiuri]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=purpose+of+wheel+spacers

[Esteban]

I think wheels spacers would look nice. The wider stance would help with handling but a quick check on the internet said that some people suggest you check/tighten your lug nuts periodically and that makes me nervous.

[3002 tii]

Functionally the serve purpose of pushing wheel out to clear either suspension or brakes, typically from running the wrong offset wheel (too high). One could argue the increased track width also improves handling. Visually, people like having the wheels sit flush with the fenders since it gives the car a more aggressive stance. All this needs to be weighed against increased weight and it's potentially less safe (depending on quality of spacer, thickness, it's one extra thing that can go wrong).

Sometimes it's unavoidable when you run aftermarket suspension so go smallest spacer as possible (ie 3 or 5mm). My rule of thumb, don't run 10's as those can be tricky on our cars (due to hub lip being right around that). If you need to go big or bigger, stick with 12-15. Anything over 15, and you're just really running the wrong wheel size.

[IEDEI]

try to avoid them if you can.they add plenty of unsprung weight which is the worst enemy on the suspension....unsprung weight is generally considered 6 to 8 times in actual effect----so 5 pounds of unsprung weight is something like 30-40 lbs equivalent of added weight to a car....

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Functionally the serve purpose of pushing wheel out to clear either suspension or brakes, typically from running the wrong offset wheel (too high). One could argue the increased track width also improves handling. Visually, people like having the wheels sit flush with the fenders since it gives the car a more aggressive stance. All this needs to be weighed against increased weight and it's potentially less safe (depending on quality of spacer, thickness, it's one extra thing that can go wrong).

Sometimes it's unavoidable when you run aftermarket suspension so go smallest spacer as possible (ie 3 or 5mm). My rule of thumb, don't run 10's as those can be tricky on our cars (due to hub lip being right around that). If you need to go big or bigger, stick with 12-15. Anything over 15, and you're just really running the wrong wheel size.

Interesting RE: 10mm spacers. I had heard concerns over mounting 5 and 8 since they lack any type of mounting lip (I went with VAC hub extenders for that purpose). But the 10mm i'm running out back has a nice mounting hub, so the wheel has material to rest on and isn't "just" being held in place by the studs.

Let me know what you think - risky?

[litebulb]

There are so many school of thought regarding wheel spacers. I am not technical and though I do spirited daily driving, I never subject my car to anything intense like tracking. What have I gained in adding the spacers is a much better looking silhouette. Also the wider track in the rear adds more understeer. After the apex of a turn if I hit the gas my car will slingshot straight. It isn't natural, but I mind it less than the stock wiggly backend. I'm thinking when my RFT are done and I go +1 in sizes I will have to take them off.

[cheshirecat79]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

Interesting RE: 10mm spacers. I had heard concerns over mounting 5 and 8 since they lack any type of mounting lip (I went with VAC hub extenders for that purpose). But the 10mm i'm running out back has a nice mounting hub, so the wheel has material to rest on and isn't "just" being held in place by the studs.
Let me know what you think - risky?

IMO, as long as you're running quality spacers with a properly machined hub as well as studs that are the proper length/type, you'll be fine.

Hell, even the Porsche 911 GT3 runs spacers in the rear from the factory. They offer them on the Carreras as an option, also. Good times.

[128Convertibleguy]

Wheel spacers are always controversial. They add unsprung weight (which you may have paid a lot to reduce with expensive light wheels), and lessen mechanical strength. They pose a risk of introducing vibration, depending on a variety of factors. Some say those issues are too small to worry about, some don't.

Personal opinion. If you're buying new wheels, it's preferable to choose appropriately sized wheels and make cosmetic concessions about wheel styling instead of using spacers to make something fit. Spacers basically just change offset, and there's nothing spacers give you that you can't get with the right wheel offset. Depending on the wheels you now own spacers are a much cheaper way to change offset, of course.

[E82MSport]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Functionally the serve purpose of pushing wheel out to clear either suspension or brakes, typically from running the wrong offset wheel (too high). One could argue the increased track width also improves handling. Visually, people like having the wheels sit flush with the fenders since it gives the car a more aggressive stance. All this needs to be weighed against increased weight and it's potentially less safe (depending on quality of spacer, thickness, it's one extra thing that can go wrong).

Sometimes it's unavoidable when you run aftermarket suspension so go smallest spacer as possible (ie 3 or 5mm). My rule of thumb, don't run 10's as those can be tricky on our cars (due to hub lip being right around that). If you need to go big or bigger, stick with 12-15. Anything over 15, and you're just really running the wrong wheel size.

+1 good info