Wheel Spacers
 

Why yes, why no? Seems like the only way to accomodate some brakes without having to change rims, so why wouldn't we use them?

You'd need to use high quality spacers ($$$) for proper centering and safety, you may have to run longer wheel studs (safety), and you'd be putting more force on the wheel bearings.

Seems like too much of a PITA.

most of the bad rap about spacers is from the cheap "one size fits all" type they sell at pep boys. If you need spacers get the proper fit ones with longer studs from H&R. Aside from the possibility of accelerated bearing wear, they will ride like stock;)

the H&Rs dont cause premature bearing wear.

[QUOTE=Jgrahn555]the H&Rs dont cause premature bearing wear.[/QUOTE]

well technically the H&Rs themselves dont cause accelerated bearing wear, but its the lever effect of moving the wheel further out from the hub that creates high side loads on the wheel bearing.

3mm or even 5mm spacers would create premature bearing wear ?????

i thought only 10mm or higher would do that?

I will be getting 5mm or at minimum 3mm spacers so I can fit my big brake kit with my current wheels......

[QUOTE=AWDrifter21]3mm or even 5mm spacers would create premature bearing wear ?????

i thought only 10mm or higher would do that?

I will be getting 5mm or at minimum 3mm spacers so I can fit my big brake kit with my current wheels......[/QUOTE]


seeing as guys are wearing out these wheel bearings without ANY spacers I cant see how it can be said that any size wheel spacers are without risk. Not at all trying to talk you out of it, I was running 12mm spacers when I had my Volk GT-Ps, and right now Im running 18X8.5s with 5mm spacers which is probably worse on the bearings than when I was running the 18X7.5s with the 12mm spacers. Though I keep an extra set of STI hubs handy for when I blow through these, its just part o fthe fun:D

BTW, they dont make 3mm spacers in 5X100 AFAIK

[quote]seeing as guys are wearing out these wheel bearings without ANY spacers. . .[/quote]Ummm, this would indicate there is an issue with the bearing.

Greater weight extended further from the centerline causes a lever effect on the suspension = stress. I work on 4x4's and spacers usually lead to premature bearing wear. Jeeps that look like frogs because someone fit a bargain set of rims that were not the right offset generally break on the trail really fast.

5mm spacers will put THAT much stress ???
or should i reword, that much damage or premature damage???

[quote]bargain set of rims that were not the right offset generally break on the trail really fast[/quote]
Hmm, again, you're proving my point that the spacers didn't cause the problem, beating the $hit out of the vehicle did.

[url]http://h-r.com/bin/92SG0221.pdf[/url]

That's a TUV approval. If they're safe for the autobahn, they're safe for the US. zee spacers don't break zee car, zee drivers do because zay do not properly maintain zee vehicles.

[QUOTE=Jgrahn555]Ummm, this would indicate there is an issue with the bearing.[/QUOTE]

yes, you are correct:)


the short answer is that the 5X100 bolt pattern does not spread the load well enough for the amount of force alot of us who run big azz tires put upon the bearing, thats why the 05 STIs have finally switched to 5X114 bolt pattern.

[QUOTE=Jgrahn555]

That's a TUV approval. If they're safe for the autobahn, they're safe for the US. zee spacers don't break zee car, zee drivers do because zay do not properly maintain zee vehicles.[/QUOTE]


Hmm, I never said they were unsafe, and Im not sure where you got the idea I was saying theres a road safety issue involved in running spacers. If you didnt notice I said that I was running H+R spacers myself. :confused:

[QUOTE=AWDrifter21]5mm spacers will put THAT much stress ???
or should i reword, that much damage or premature damage???[/QUOTE]


Look, forget I said anything, run as big a spacer and wide a wheel as you want. Your wheel bearings will live a long and happy life.

The End.

:)

hahahaha. i have 25mm on mine. no problem so far. just do it. and if it breaks just fix it. you learn more with experience dude.