wheels spacers

Ed Carpenter · 02-24-2010, 02:54 PM

What problems could you run into if you use a wheel spacers on the rear? Need to use a 1/2 spacer to fit wheels. Thanks.

W J · 02-24-2010, 03:20 PM

You're going to put some serious stress on the wheel studs using a spacer, 1/2" is quite a bit, as well. Are wheel spacers even allowed at the track? I feel they are dangerous for race applications....just my opinion, though...WJ

race watcher · 02-24-2010, 03:42 PM

If you use lugs that go threw the spacer the same depth as it would go threw the wheel it would be like using a thick wheel. The spacer should be good quality and fit snug around axle flange. If you were to mount the spacer to the wheel is it still a spacer or a thick wheel?

Wade Mahaffey · 02-24-2010, 04:36 PM

I don't use them, but if I had to I would get a high quaility set made from billet material and use the large wheel studs and torque to manufacture specs.

tpoh815 · 02-24-2010, 05:17 PM

More people are using them then you think! Its tough, some of the back space on wheels only come in 1.0" increments. 1/2" is quite a bit though. 6cyl app might be fine.

Tom Goldman · 02-24-2010, 05:28 PM

1/2" is the max I would ever use , and I will only use them on a car with 5/8" studs. .....I recently had to put 3/8" spacers on my car to clear the calipers with a new set of rear wheels..almost a thousand HP and no problems .......A lot of the old zinc die cast spacers are to blame for the bad rap spacers have ,the surfaces were not parallel and they were soft ,so the lugs often came loose. ......S&W and others make excellent steel spacers that are perfectly safe to use. .....Tom

02-24-2010, 02:54 PM	#1
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	wheels spacers What problems could you run into if you use a wheel spacers on the rear? Need to use a 1/2 spacer to fit wheels. Thanks. __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development

02-24-2010, 03:20 PM	#2
W J Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Paxton, Massachusetts Posts: 638 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: wheels spacers You're going to put some serious stress on the wheel studs using a spacer, 1/2" is quite a bit, as well. Are wheel spacers even allowed at the track? I feel they are dangerous for race applications....just my opinion, though...WJ

02-24-2010, 03:42 PM	#3
race watcher Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 50 Likes: 5 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: wheels spacers If you use lugs that go threw the spacer the same depth as it would go threw the wheel it would be like using a thick wheel. The spacer should be good quality and fit snug around axle flange. If you were to mount the spacer to the wheel is it still a spacer or a thick wheel?

02-24-2010, 04:36 PM	#4
Wade Mahaffey Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 581 Likes: 0 Liked 18 Times in 8 Posts	Re: wheels spacers I don't use them, but if I had to I would get a high quaility set made from billet material and use the large wheel studs and torque to manufacture specs.

02-24-2010, 05:17 PM	#5
tpoh815 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: West Seneca Posts: 537 Likes: 62 Liked 28 Times in 11 Posts	Re: wheels spacers More people are using them then you think! Its tough, some of the back space on wheels only come in 1.0" increments. 1/2" is quite a bit though. 6cyl app might be fine. __________________ EX 5-Doorstocker

02-24-2010, 05:28 PM	#6
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,477 Likes: 892 Liked 883 Times in 237 Posts	Re: wheels spacers 1/2" is the max I would ever use , and I will only use them on a car with 5/8" studs. .....I recently had to put 3/8" spacers on my car to clear the calipers with a new set of rear wheels..almost a thousand HP and no problems .......A lot of the old zinc die cast spacers are to blame for the bad rap spacers have ,the surfaces were not parallel and they were soft ,so the lugs often came loose. ......S&W and others make excellent steel spacers that are perfectly safe to use. .....Tom __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK