Are wheel spacers safe?

[ert01]

I ran spacers on my rig for over 100 000km with zero problems. Never had a nut come loose and never had a stud strip.

I don't see a problem with them.

They allowed me to run JK take off wheels/tires on my XJ and they worked great for it. Adapted the bolt pattern and have the proper back spacing required to fit the tires.

 

[4D55 Performance]

Just be aware that wheel spacers and wheel adapters are not the same thing. Wheel spacers do not bolt to the vehicle and just space the wheel. Wheel spacers are illegal in many states for a reason. I would recommend wheel adapters because the are legal and safe.

 

[E.J.]

There are quality spacers (as defined in the post above) kits that come with longer wheel studs to compensate, seem like that would be the safest route. This gives the option of running thinner spacers than you could get away with running wheel adaptors.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Here you go http://tires.about.com/od/understanding_wheels/a/hub-centric-vs-lug-centric-wheels.htm

When dealing with cars perhaps "Nearly all OEM Wheels are designed to be hub-centric". I don't work on cars nor do I have any experience with wheel spacers or adapters on them.

"There are some people who will say that driving on lug-centric wheels doesn't really matter as long as the lugnuts are the self-centering cone type, as they will adequately center the wheel. These people are wrong."

I'll pass that along to Mr. Toyota and millions of early Land Cruisers around the globe.

I can assure you many vehicles, such as early Land Cruisers for example DO NOT center on the hub in fact the opening ID on an OEM wheel is larger than the OD of the hub which is somewhat rough machined.





Note the gap between the hub and the wheel, factory setup. Factory axle, factory hub, factory steel wheel. I.e. lug-centric.

 

[Toiyabe]

Spacers are terrible!

Here's a factory parts diagram from a manufacturer that clearly knows NOTHING about spacers and the safety aspects. And yes, those are slip-on!




I'm guessing - and it's just a guess, mind you - that that manufacturer knows more than any of us as to the safety and performance implications of spacers...

 

[toyotech]

I see nothing wrong with bolt on wheel spacers. It's no different than bolting on a rim. If your install the, correctly. There should be no issue. I seem wheels come off vehicles with no spacers. So are wheels unsafe because they were not installed correctly.
I seen so many people "think" they know how to torque a lug nut correctly but don't.


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[toyotech]

Here's a factory parts diagram from a manufacturer that clearly knows NOTHING about spacers and the safety aspects. And yes, those are slip-on!




I'm guessing - and it's just a guess, mind you - that that manufacturer knows more than any of us as to the safety and performance implications of spacers...

As long as you run extended studs. Slip on spacers are fine


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