For those who have used wheel spacers

[dodj]

Whether you liked them or they gave you issues, (please specify)
Where did you buy them? Tough to tell the quality of an item by the web page. Anybody willing to recommend a particular brand? I'm looking for a 7/8" or 1" bolt on adapter/spacer.

[Super Blue 72]

I'm curious too!   

Just curious why you are asking about spacers.  Are you going to try to use Ford rims or another Maker rims?    I was curious about using some Mustang rims but that urge has now since left me.....for now....... 

[dodj]

American Racing Torq Thrust M wheels in 9" width have a 6" backspace. The 8" are fine with a 4.5" backspace but I would like to fit 255 or 275 tires in the front. The max I can put on the 8" is a 245. From what I have learned from 72blunblu and cudazappa, about 5" to 5.25 backspace with the 9" wheel is about right. Just trying to decide between the 245's, 255's or the 275's. Spacers being the issue I need to learn about. Looking for some first hand info.

Lots of Mustang rims out there that don't fit because of hub diameter. I beleive the 'M' in the torq thrust name is for Mustang but they have a hub diameter that is larger than the standard 'stang wheel. So they fit a lot of cars.

[mopar12372]

spacers that slide over the wheel studs  to move wheel out 1/2 max are ok to use if there is enough  stud left over for the wheel to bolt on if not longer wheel studs are to be used . the off set spacers and such that bolt to the drum and have their own studs --->well unless you live dangerousely or you dont like the body on your car use them .  they come loose /wheels fall off.

[BS CUDA]

I currently have 26" X 10" X 15 Mickey Sportsman SR's on 15 X 8 - 4.5" BS with 0 clearance issues on the front. The rear 28 X 12's on 10" rims were a different story - to keep them from rubbing the springs we manufactured offset 3/4" spring mounts which gave a little more breathing room. The wheel wells are full - front and back!!!!!!!!

[72cudamaan]

. the off set spacers and such that bolt to the drum and have their own studs --->well unless you live dangerousely or you dont like the body on your car use them .  they come loose /wheels fall off.
[/quote]

That's a subjective statement. My kid has them on his Jeep for 3 yrs. 35 inch tires and not once have
they come loose. Maybe some brands are bad. Or if people didn't retorque them after running
for a short period, that would do it. I'm not trying to start an argument, just suggesting they
may not be all bad.

[Gumby]

I'm going to mount an old school set of MOMO Arrows I bought years ago, and will probably need 1/2" spacers on the front. Make sure your studs are long enough! They are cheap to buy at NAPA in different lengths.You must have at least 7 complete turns of the nut on the stud you are using. Also, Rick Ehrenberg (of Mopar Action - editor) states that the spacers in front, if you must use them (he is anti spacer, as it adds a lot of extra load on the studs that they weren't meant to be stressed with)) must be hub centric. I don't know how important this is, as many people over the years used uni-lug wheels with seemingly no problem, but why take a chance when hub centric spacers are available? I would think a 1/2" spacer should be the very maxium you should ever use. A 7/8" or a 1" is just damn crazy excessive! It would be better to have wheels custom made or send them to one of those wheel place where they can reweld new centers or custom move the backspacing where it needs to be. At the very least call them and ask. I bet they would tell you that 1" is insane and you will be living on borrowed time. lol. Please do more research before you use that thick of spacers. 

[cudazappa]

I'll take some pics of mine Sunday when I visit my Challenger...  I was using 1.25" and 1" on my Challenger.  Give me an excuse to get the tires off the ground for the winter...

I'll elucidate more when I get out of work...

[dodj]

A 7/8" or a 1" is just damn crazy excessive! It would be better to have wheels custom made or send them to one of those wheel place where they can reweld new centers or custom move the backspacing where it needs to be. At the very least call them and ask. I bet they would tell you that 1" is insane and you will be living on borrowed time. lol. Please do more research before you use that thick of spacers. 

I realize there are people that think adapters and spacers are a bad idea. But I have also talked/email/pm'd people who think they are just fine. I have yet to hear from anybody that has run spacers report having those problems. (unless mopar 12372 is relating a personal experience)

Just trying to determine if it is more rumor mill than actual spacer failure out there.

I'll elucidate more when I get out of work...

Thanks cudazappa, you use yours in auto-x, right?

[Super Blue 72]

Do Jeeps and other 4x4s use wheels spacers a lot?  I see them advertised for SUVs and off road.  I think the ones I have sen are not hubcentric.  I would imagine those vehicles to get a bit of punishment if they go off road, yes? 

[Jesus H Chrysler]

I've had these spacers on my Jeep for over 2 years now.  Off road, plowing and highway they have held up.  I change my tires over twice a year (spring/fall) and check the torque.  They haven't loosened yet.  They are hub and wheel centric which is important.  The nice thing is Jeep and Mopar use the same bolt pattern so they'll fit.  Here's a link:

http://www.spidertrax.com/1987-06-Wrangler-1984-01-Cherokee-2002-Up-Liberty?sc=2&category=9998

I only used them because my wheel/tire combo rubbed on the lower control arm.  Obviously if you have a wheel option that would allow you to NOT use spacers that is the preferred method.  But much like many aftermarket items, spacers got a bad rap from misuse and some cheap defective designs.  Do some research and find a good quality part and you should be fine.

[mopar12372]

i dont have a problem with spacers its the adaptors i have a problem with ,  i just dont trust them . i need a 1/4 spacer on my barracuda drivers side that i will use with my 3in studs .

[cudazappa]

these are very similar to what I used.  As you can see there's no hub like mopar12372's.



In the front, if you have disc brakes, the hub extends past the bolt on spacers.  Not sure on front drums...

In the rear, the hub is helpful.  But I haven't found it necessary.

I've got about 4 autocrosses and about 5k miles on my spacers.  YMMV

I didn't get to storage today for pictures, that's been pushed to wednesday...

Dodj, if you're serious, PM me, I'll cut you a deal on my set.  I'm hoping to sell my 2 sets of rims for a set of MB Old Schools.

[moparmaniac59]

I use a 1/2" wheel spacer on the back of my car to get enough inner clearance (away from the springs). I'm running 295-50-15" tires on an 8.5" Center Line rim. I've never had them come loose, but also have longer studs and use a NHRA approved thru-lug nut. For those that aren't familiar, the stud comes through the nut (about 1/2") so any loosening of the nut is visibly evident. I've never had any come loose or any other problems with the spacers or wheels/rims. I wouldn't use anything more than 1/2" offset.


                                                                        Matt B.

[brads70]

I have these 1/2" spacers on the front http://www.allstarperformance.com/product.htm?prod=392
for 2 reasons. One I wanted a little more clearance for the tie rod( tire flex while cornering) and I also wanted to increase the front track width for handling purposes.
The tie rod clearance is because I dropped it 2" or so to get the bumpsteer the best it could be. ( See my handling upgrade post in my sig)
On my BB Buick I used American Racing Vector rims and the 8" wide rims ( on the back) were only available with a goofy back space. So to get them to fit right I made my own spacers and changed the bolt pattern to 5X5 at the same time. They looked like what Cudazappa posted. I think the trick is to keep the bolts as short as possible as the longer they are the more they flex. IMO I used stock replacement wheel studs from Papco. I never had a problem with either one. I would never use say a 1" spacer and 3" long wheel studs. But that's just my 
http://www.hpaulin.com/Catalogue/WP501.pdf