What are they really for?

junior3382 · 10-01-2008, 06:05 PM

I have always wondered what wheel spacers are for? I mean I have seen them as large as 3"..... what does one need a set of wheel spacers fo anyways? Is there an advantage, disadvantage to them?

72'CaminoKid · 10-01-2008, 06:11 PM

you can run a wider tire without scrubbing. alot of off-roaders use them and i guess you could use them on the back axle in a racing application. i personally dont like them and think they're just another part that can break and possibly do some serious damage if it does

junior3382 · 10-01-2008, 06:15 PM

but this does not actually put more rubber to the ground, nor does it make the tire wider, just the wheelbase.... could it be more for a rim with a larger back spacing them factory to allow a factory look? Other then a 2" wider wheel base in width, is there an advantage offroad?

Steve g. · 10-01-2008, 07:36 PM

Wider stance, it's less likely to tip.

bradrhale · 10-01-2008, 07:56 PM

wow!!! another long lost member. they use spacers on big rigs also when they go from the 2 tire setup to the one large tire deal. looks stupid if you ask me. and they do have a certain way they go on.

junior3382 · 10-01-2008, 08:00 PM

So since not to many people talk about it, I guess I would not need to even consider them for mine huh? lol..... Besides, I would rather have the wider rims, get the wider stance, but be putting more rubber to the ground...lol.... They do seem breakable though... or am I underestimating them?

75K30 · 10-01-2008, 08:15 PM

Wheel spacers simply make the stance of the vehicle wider, thus creating a lower center of gravity, and providing a more stable platform.
They are also used for added clearance when wheels without enough backspacing is used.
Now, they have many ill effects, and these are Probably more noticeable in cars, but some still apply to 4x4 vehicles.
Scrub radius and ackerman angle is greatly affected by the use of wheel spacers, but again this probably has less of an application with a 4x4. Although a 4x4 with an IFS front suspension can have real problems with this.
Now, other than relying on the lug nuts to now hold two pieces of metal together, which could be a problem with loose lug nuts, there is the concept of hub-centric VS lug-centric spacers. Using the wrong spacer can minimize the overal weight capacity of a vehicle. Lug stud failure can also occur.
Now for spacers / adapters that bolt up to the hub itself, these can help eliminate stud failures, but really mulitplies the point of failure, and puts an incredible strain on wheel bearings.
Steering components can struggle depending on how aggressive one gets, and you can bet that bumpsteer will be increased. This can relate to worn steering components, and more feedback to the driver through the wheel.
Steering will become slow, partly due to the wider stance, but more to do with ackerman angle.
Front tires can wear rapidly with wheel spacers because of the difference in scrub radius, and the camber changes during the suspension cycle.
Before I get in to deep, wheel spacers are not the greatest choice in the world.

junior3382 · 10-01-2008, 08:24 PM

That was what I was thinking. I appreciate the response 75... that answered my questions. the only time I actually thought of getting some was perhaps a 1" spacer just for the rear sine on the Chevy IFS, the front wheel have a wider stance. but experience showed when I used a slight t-bar crank in the front on that rig, it drew the wheels in while leveling out the truck, so it was not needed. all good information though.

gmctrucks · 10-01-2008, 08:30 PM

Wheel spacers can also be used when you buy for instance a used set of wheels that aren't meant for the car/truck and the tire or wheel is rubbing disc caliper or if the tires are rubbing the inner wheel well the spacer will help that out. But they can lead to problems and aren't really safe. Well theirs my two cents.

87c10slammer · 10-02-2008, 10:19 AM

i was thinkin about the same thing for the back of the jimmy but it would have to be 1.5 inches and i jsut dont trust them enough to put my kids lives at stake

10-01-2008, 06:05 PM	#1
junior3382 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Currently, I live in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Posts: 3,040	What are they really for? I have always wondered what wheel spacers are for? I mean I have seen them as large as 3"..... what does one need a set of wheel spacers fo anyways? Is there an advantage, disadvantage to them? __________________ *Parts have been found, tools are collecting, tensions are rising, the weather is changing...look out.... the SAS is comming!*

10-01-2008, 06:11 PM	#2
72'CaminoKid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,329	you can run a wider tire without scrubbing. alot of off-roaders use them and i guess you could use them on the back axle in a racing application. i personally dont like them and think they're just another part that can break and possibly do some serious damage if it does __________________ 99 suburban xlt 96 silverado 91 wrangler (my baby ) 08 Honday shadow 750 (my mistress)

10-01-2008, 06:15 PM	#3
junior3382 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Currently, I live in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Posts: 3,040	but this does not actually put more rubber to the ground, nor does it make the tire wider, just the wheelbase.... could it be more for a rim with a larger back spacing them factory to allow a factory look? Other then a 2" wider wheel base in width, is there an advantage offroad? __________________ *Parts have been found, tools are collecting, tensions are rising, the weather is changing...look out.... the SAS is comming!*

10-01-2008, 08:00 PM	#6
junior3382 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Currently, I live in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Posts: 3,040	So since not to many people talk about it, I guess I would not need to even consider them for mine huh? lol..... Besides, I would rather have the wider rims, get the wider stance, but be putting more rubber to the ground...lol.... They do seem breakable though... or am I underestimating them? __________________ *Parts have been found, tools are collecting, tensions are rising, the weather is changing...look out.... the SAS is comming!*

10-01-2008, 08:15 PM	#7
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,628	Wheel spacers simply make the stance of the vehicle wider, thus creating a lower center of gravity, and providing a more stable platform. They are also used for added clearance when wheels without enough backspacing is used. Now, they have many ill effects, and these are Probably more noticeable in cars, but some still apply to 4x4 vehicles. Scrub radius and ackerman angle is greatly affected by the use of wheel spacers, but again this probably has less of an application with a 4x4. Although a 4x4 with an IFS front suspension can have real problems with this. Now, other than relying on the lug nuts to now hold two pieces of metal together, which could be a problem with loose lug nuts, there is the concept of hub-centric VS lug-centric spacers. Using the wrong spacer can minimize the overal weight capacity of a vehicle. Lug stud failure can also occur. Now for spacers / adapters that bolt up to the hub itself, these can help eliminate stud failures, but really mulitplies the point of failure, and puts an incredible strain on wheel bearings. Steering components can struggle depending on how aggressive one gets, and you can bet that bumpsteer will be increased. This can relate to worn steering components, and more feedback to the driver through the wheel. Steering will become slow, partly due to the wider stance, but more to do with ackerman angle. Front tires can wear rapidly with wheel spacers because of the difference in scrub radius, and the camber changes during the suspension cycle. Before I get in to deep, wheel spacers are not the greatest choice in the world. Last edited by 75K30; 10-01-2008 at 08:27 PM.

10-01-2008, 07:36 PM	#4
Steve g. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 188	Wider stance, it's less likely to tip.

10-01-2008, 07:56 PM	#5
bradrhale Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 3,584	wow!!! another long lost member. they use spacers on big rigs also when they go from the 2 tire setup to the one large tire deal. looks stupid if you ask me. and they do have a certain way they go on.

10-01-2008, 08:24 PM	#8
junior3382 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Currently, I live in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Posts: 3,040	That was what I was thinking. I appreciate the response 75... that answered my questions. the only time I actually thought of getting some was perhaps a 1" spacer just for the rear sine on the Chevy IFS, the front wheel have a wider stance. but experience showed when I used a slight t-bar crank in the front on that rig, it drew the wheels in while leveling out the truck, so it was not needed. all good information though. __________________ *Parts have been found, tools are collecting, tensions are rising, the weather is changing...look out.... the SAS is comming!*

10-01-2008, 08:30 PM	#9
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 1,966	Wheel spacers can also be used when you buy for instance a used set of wheels that aren't meant for the car/truck and the tire or wheel is rubbing disc caliper or if the tires are rubbing the inner wheel well the spacer will help that out. But they can lead to problems and aren't really safe. Well theirs my two cents.

10-02-2008, 10:19 AM	#10
87c10slammer Banned Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: levittown pa Posts: 2,197	i was thinkin about the same thing for the back of the jimmy but it would have to be 1.5 inches and i jsut dont trust them enough to put my kids lives at stake

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