Wheel spacer questions

[samw5]

Been reading a bunch of comments on various forums about spacers and while it's a mixed bag (I'm sure there has been plenty of positive and plenty of negatives on both ends) I'm trying to understand a couple things.

First I understand that having the proper wheel offset to begin is probably the best option.

With that said I'm trying to understand how adding a wheel spacer would cause more wear on the suspension components compared to similar backspaced wheel. Leverage should be the same... Yes there is a little added weight but since it's so close to the axel I can't imagine that make that much difference.

For folks saying that spacers are 'bad', are we just saying that it's essentially another added part and point of failure? If so I agree though I'm trying to remember the last time I actually broke a lug nut or wheel stud... Can't be that common, even if wheeling.

On the plus side the extra track should allow for better stability, at least on paper?

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[ShadowsPapa]

On the plus side the extra track should allow for better stability, at least on paper?

No, it doesn't really. you change scrub radius if the only change you make is spacers. Tramlining, kicking back on bumps and ruts, etc. are one possible effect of increasing scrub radius (moving the centers of the tires out)

 

[samw5]

How's that different than using a wheel with more backspacing though... That would also increase the scrub radius wouldn't it?

 

[Renegade]

A good quality set can serve you well. A cheap set can fail and cause you trouble. You are correct in your geometry assessment.

 

[Rusty PW]

On the car forum that I'm on. People shy away from them if they can. Too many problems have been posted. From not wanting to stay tight. Cracking. Having to replacing the oem studs because they are too long. Vibrations from the rim not being centered. Deals with concentric of the hub, spacer, and rim. Brake pulsations have been traced back to them.

 

[Elff]

Spacers or new wheels in which the tires end up with the same offset are no different.

I ran stock Moab 16x8" Rims with 35" and 37" tires on my first TJ Rubicon for almost 80,000 miles with zero issues.
The instant I bought my current TJ, I ordered the exact same SpiderTrax 1.25" spacers and installed them with stock Moab 16x8" rims again. It puts the tires exactly how I want/need them from both a width and clearance point of view, and it drives amazing on the street.

If you buy a quality brand, you have nothing to worry about.

 

[u-joint]

One thing to consider is that many places will refuse to work on your tires if you have spacers. They don't care how highly recommended, or hub-centric, etc., your spacers are. They will - as a general rule - refuse service to any vehicle with spacers.

If you go this route, plan ahead and make sure your favorite tire shop is cool with it. It'd suck to find this out at the wrong time.

 

[samw5]

Ya probably won't go that route since I am on 5.5 backspacing and the smallest spacer is 1.75" which would take me to a 4.25" backspacing (too much). Let alone wheeling with some.

Just was mainly curious about the wear since geometry wise it didn't seem to make any difference.

 

[jac04]

... the smallest spacer is 1.75"...

H&R Trak+ actually has some 25mm (.98") and 30mm (1.18") thick spacers listed:

 

[samw5]

just not sure if these would fit on my wheels nor would I wanna change the studs.

 

[LostWoods]

How's that different than using a wheel with more backspacing though... That would also increase the scrub radius wouldn't it?

It's not. Adding a spacer is effectively adding backspacing and both increase scrub radius.

But it is critical to differentiate between cheap spacers that sandwich between wheel and hub and adapters which bolt to the hub then the wheel bolts to the adapter (e.g. Spidertrax). Quality adapters are no more dangerous and will cause no more wear than a set of wheels with more backspace. Cheap spacers put more stress on the studs because they generally space the wheels out enough they're no longer hub-centric and you are getting less thread for the lugnuts to bite.

The 12mm ones in the image just above seem to keep the hub centricity but beware, a lot of shops won't deal with any kind of sandwich spacer because of liability. If you do those 25mm ones you will definitely need to replace your studs because even with the 1.75" adapters, the tips of the studs are just barely covered.

I will say, 1.75" isn't as bad as you think and it's what I'd consider a standard modified jeep backspacing. Most manufacturers call for more as a baseline for their lifts and having them for about 10k now, I honestly couldn't tell a difference when I installed them.

 

[jac04]

If you do those 25mm ones you will definitely need to replace your studs ...

Not definitely. You need to do some measuring and checking first. Some wheels have 'pockets' on the back side that provide clearance the original wheel studs to protrude.

 

[samw5]

It's not. Adding a spacer is effectively adding backspacing and both increase scrub radius.

But it is critical to differentiate between cheap spacers that sandwich between wheel and hub and adapters which bolt to the hub then the wheel bolts to the adapter (e.g. Spidertrax). Quality adapters are no more dangerous and will cause no more wear than a set of wheels with more backspace. Cheap spacers put more stress on the studs because they generally space the wheels out enough they're no longer hub-centric and you are getting less thread for the lugnuts to bite.

The 12mm ones in the image just above seem to keep the hub centricity but beware, a lot of shops won't deal with any kind of sandwich spacer because of liability. If you do those 25mm ones you will definitely need to replace your studs because even with the 1.75" adapters, the tips of the studs are just barely covered.

I will say, 1.75" isn't as bad as you think and it's what I'd consider a standard modified jeep backspacing. Most manufacturers call for more as a baseline for their lifts and having them for about 10k now, I honestly couldn't tell a difference when I installed them.

You been wheeling at all with them? Just a little concerned about passing inspection here in PA... Not an issue currently with 5.5 bs but another 1.75 might be problematic.

 

[Gren71]

You been wheeling at all with them? Just a little concerned about passing inspection here in PA... Not an issue currently with 5.5 bs but another 1.75 might be problematic.

Shot ya a pm

 

[LostWoods]

You been wheeling at all with them? Just a little concerned about passing inspection here in PA... Not an issue currently with 5.5 bs but another 1.75 might be problematic.

Quite a bit yeah but I've never had to deal with the insanity that is PA inspections... Limited experience personally but between friends having issues, I'd just do wheels if I were in that state. Otherwise maybe rattle can the side of the adapters similarly to the wheel to avoid attention.

But as for scrub radius, it can be a concern but it all depends on what else you're doing. Larger tires require larger offsets (negative backspacing relative to stock) to maintain the same scrub beacuse your ball joints aren't directly on top of each other. So if you've already done bigger tires, you've already reduced it and the adapters will get you some scrub back.

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