Wheel Spacers vs. Backspacing

[ujoint]

The problem with wheel spacers is this: Most guys installing them are looking for a cheaper solution. So they get the cheapest wheel spacers, which are aluminum. All of my experience is with full size trucks, especially the DRW applications. I've always used STEEL spacers, never had an issue. A major problem with the Aluminum is that the studs can spin if an impact gun is used to tighten the lugs. Then you have REAL issues!

If the proper wheels are available, get them. If wheel spacers HAVE to be used, get them in steel from a quality manufacturer.

 

[Antichrist]

In the case of the wheel loss the spacer was still holding the inner wheel on, it was the outer wheel that came off and raised hell with everything.

So it wasn't the fault of the spacer then?

The problem with wheel spacers is this: Most guys installing them are looking for a cheaper solution. So they get the cheapest wheel spacers, which are aluminum.

?? my experience has been just the opposite. Aluminum hss generally been quite a bit more expensive than steel, item for item.

 

[michaelgroves]

I just tend to stay on the OVERSAFE recommendations, If I drived alone, it doesn't matter, but I always have family with me and I won't let a mechanical accident occur, because I knew about it and DID NOTHING

Thanx for your ref to the King-pin stress, adapters/spacers affect EVERYTHING, they use them for RACING all the time--but this ain't racing

If the wheel mfg doesn't offer the proper backspace option---go somewhere else--Coulda-Woulda-Shoulda
JIMBO

I don't really know what OVERSAFE means! Safer than safe? And why wouldn't it matter if you drove alone? Or if one is RACING?

I guess I'm just trying to understand why you think spacers are dangerous.

 

[michaelgroves]

Another reason spacers can be useful is that they allow you to use wheels with a different stud pattern, as well as different back-spacing.

 

[JIMBO]

:rally_guys: I know that and spacers/adapters, installed and maintained CORRECTLY are a functional addition to various suspension alternatives, but

Another reason spacers can be useful is that they allow you to use wheels with a different stud pattern, as well as different back-spacing.

There are too many younguns that get them for, who knows what and use them carelessly

Our vehicle suspension additions are PLENTIFUL (too) and driving is becoming dangerous enough, even offroad here in California

:smiley_drive: :safari-rig: :safari-rig: JIMBO

 

[michaelgroves]

:rally_guys: I know that and spacers/adapters, installed and maintained CORRECTLY are a functional addition to various suspension alternatives, but

There are too many younguns that get them for, who knows what and use them carelessly

Our vehicle suspension additions are PLENTIFUL (too) and driving is becoming dangerous enough, even offroad here in California

JIMBO

No, I mean specifically what makes spacers dangerous, versus backspaced wheels? You're warning people off them in the most emphatic language:

I had your same feelings and DREAD, when I used the 2" adapters on my JEEP JK, and I removed them after 20 miles--bad, dangerous idea...
...
IT'S A "clear and present danger", SHOULDN'T DO IT, NO MATTER WHAT THE VEHICLE !!!
...
If I drived alone, it doesn't matter, but I always have family with me and I won't let a mechanical accident occur, because I knew about it and DID NOTHING
...
If the wheel mfg doesn't offer the proper backspace option---go somewhere else--Coulda-Woulda-Shoulda
...
JIMBO

You removed your spacers after 20 miles because you believed they were dangerous - fair enough, but it would be useful to know why! If it was the on- or off-road handling, then I can't see why it would be different using wheels backspaced the equivalent amount. (Which is the gist of the OP's question).

Rgds,

Michael...

 

[JIMBO]

:smiley_drive: Lets just say, I felt unsafe !!

:suning: :safari-rig: :safari-rig: JIMBO

 

[modelbuilder]

Not trying to be disrespectful...just my point of view on spacers. =)

Spacers are perfectly safe...there is no reason to fear them. Especially quality produced spacers.

You may have seen spacers fail but there is most likely nothing inherently wrong with the spacer itself.


Where did the owners take their vehicle?

(Did they thrash it rock crawling before they got back on the road?)

Was it maintained properly after off road use?

Was the spacers thickness in proportion to the vehicle?

Was the owner aware of the proper torque difference between the spacers lugs and the wheel lugs?

Did the owner tighten the lugs too tight or too little?

Were the spacers new or used?

These are just some of the questions that require answers in order to figure out why the spacers that you saw failed.


They have just as great a chance of failing as the other expo modifications we make to our vehicles. Without proper maintenance any part of any car will fail. Every modification we make risks unforeseen consequences.

It's the same old story..."I had a friend of a friend who had his spacers fail". " I heard they were unsafe from a guy in my jeep club."


Posted By JIMBO
There are too many younguns that get them for, who knows what and use them carelessly.

What younguns do you know who have had wheel spacers fail because they used them carelessly? That sounds like a generalization.


I don't mean to be offensive but as a youngun myself I take very good care of my rig so that I know it is safe when I take it on the road or on the trail. I know many others that do too.















:safari-rig:

 

[michaelgroves]

Lets just say, I felt unsafe !!

JIMBO

Ok, let's

 

[TeriAnn]

:smiley_drive: Lets just say, I felt unsafe !!

Well golly, I feel unsafe every time I go over a bridge or drive a road located on a steep mountain side. That doesn't mean that these locations are inherently unsafe (Though my gut insists that they are).

So without the gut feelings, what difference does it make if a given wheel offset is accomplished by having custom wheels made up or adding a spacer to a stock off the shelf wheel? A given offset is a given offset isn't it?

With spacers if you bend a stock rim you can easily & quickly replace it. A custom wheel can take a month or so to replace depending upon how busy the wheel shop is.

 

[Jeep]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeep
In the case of the wheel loss the spacer was still holding the inner wheel on, it was the outer wheel that came off and raised hell with everything.

So it wasn't the fault of the spacer then?

The spacer was holding the inner on, the outer wheel was off wth parts of the spacer bolted to it so the spacer did not do its job as advertised, it was aluminum, and had separate studs for the outer wheel.

I have built a couple of sets of spacers in the past, I made them out of steel, they were hub centric, they bolted to the hub and had their own studs for the wheel, they also made wheel centric so there was basically minimal load on the studs and everything was piloted, they gave no troubles to date, they were also more expensive than a lot of wheels are. I have a custom manufacturing shop, I employ certified mechanics, machinists, and welders, along with an in house mechanical engineer and 2 subcontract engineers. We all share a dislike for spacers and we deal with some pretty unique wheel combos.

What is the vehicle you would like spacers for, and what do you wish to achieve for an offset or backspacing? I will pass it on to my parts manager and I will supply you with a part number for a wheel with the correct specs (or as close too as possible), hell, give me a wheel style and I'll see if I can source you something that has some cosmetic appeal as well. No sales pitch, buy the wheel or price it any where you want.

 

[ujoint]

So it wasn't the fault of the spacer then?

?? my experience has been just the opposite. Aluminum hss generally been quite a bit more expensive than steel, item for item.

Machined Billet steel spacers are always more expensive, more labor I guess.

 

[Milehi explorer]

I have used 1 1/4" wheels spacers for 20k miles on my Wrangler. I wanted to keep the stock wheels but wanted to push the wheels out a little further. While I agree that there are more lug nuts which one could make a mistake on I do not see how they could be unsafe beyond that issue (assuming they are quality and not junk) as I am sure they are stronger then my factory aluminum wheels.

Also, I have spent 10 years in the insurance industry (including time spent as an auto claims adjuster) and I have never heard of anyone getting a claim denied for a wheel spacer. I would like to see what portion of the policy the adjuster used to deny the claim...seems highly unlikely (not impossible though) that this would ever be a problem. From a liability standpoint it would be no different then buying aftermarket wheels and having one fail which caused an accident. The company would not deny your claim, at least not a reputable company.

just my 2 cents...you know what it is worth
...

 

[charlieaarons]

"I don't mean to be offensive but as a youngun myself I take very good care of my rig so that I know it is safe when I take it on the road or on the trail. I know many others that do too."


I'm not prejudiced against people of any age. However, there's no substitute for years of experience. I have been around long enough to be just in front of a FJ40 with 40" tires on spacers, lose a rear wheel in a tight curve section of highway. All the nuts were just tightened up with a torque wrench the day before, by the owner who is a competent professional mechanic.
Fortunately, no injury or serious damage resulted, but it was highly educational to all involved.
And I also have been around long enough to see vehicle modifications be used to deny insurance claims and used to fight claims in the courtroom.
Which is one reason why I decided on a vehicle that is competent offroad without any chassis modifications.

Charlie

 

[boblynch]

What is the vehicle you would like spacers for, and what do you wish to achieve for an offset or backspacing? I will pass it on to my parts manager and I will supply you with a part number for a wheel with the correct specs (or as close too as possible), hell, give me a wheel style and I'll see if I can source you something that has some cosmetic appeal as well. No sales pitch, buy the wheel or price it any where you want.

Thanks for the offer. PM sent.