Wheel spacers are metal spacers that are installed between a vehicle’s wheel hub and the wheel itself, effectively pushing the wheel outwards. Wheel spacers are aftermarket parts with one purpose: moving your wheels farther away from the vehicle’s body. They are a common and inexpensive upgrade with a lot to offer both street-focused cars and off-roaders. While they can offer certain benefits, they also come with potential drawbacks.
For many wheel spacers are a bit of a controversial topic. Some people swear by spacers and say they are great items for adjusting the offset of your wheels; especially if you make a mistake and buy the wrong aftermarket wheels due to misjudgment in measurements.
Here are the pros and cons of using wheel spacers:
Pros:
- Wider Track: Spacers can increase the track width of your vehicle, which is the distance between the left and right wheels on the same axle. This wider track can improve stability, especially during cornering, by reducing body roll and increasing grip.
- Improved Appearance: By pushing the wheels outwards, wheel spacers can give your vehicle a more aggressive stance and a wider, flusher look, which is aesthetically pleasing to many car enthusiasts.
- Clearance for Larger Brakes: Spacers can create additional clearance between the wheels and the brake components. This extra space may be necessary if you are upgrading to larger brake calipers or rotors that would not fit with the stock wheel setup.
- Allows for Wider/Larger Wheels or Tires (without Rubbing): For road-focused cars, spacers let owners put wider tires on for better traction and handling. Off-roaders often choose larger tires that are taller than the factory ones. Without spacers, larger tires could rub against the wheel wells or fender flares. Adding larger wheels is another reason to get spacers. Drivers often choose to put larger rear wheels on, which is why some wheel spacer sets have a larger pair for the rear or come as a pair for the rear only.
Cons:
- Increased Stress on Components: Spacers effectively increase the leverage on the wheel bearings, wheel studs, and suspension components. This can potentially accelerate wear and tear on these parts and may lead to premature failure if not properly installed or if the spacers are of poor quality.
- Potential for Vibration: Poorly designed or improperly installed wheel spacers can cause vibrations or shaking, especially at higher speeds. This can lead to an uncomfortable driving experience and may also cause damage to other components over time.
- Compromised Handling: While spacers can improve stability in certain situations, they can also negatively impact handling characteristics, particularly if the spacers are too wide or if they change the vehicle’s center of gravity unfavorably. This can result in decreased responsiveness and compromised handling performance.
- Legal and Safety Concerns: In some jurisdictions, the use of wheel spacers may be subject to legal restrictions or regulations. Additionally, spacers that push the wheels too far outwards can increase the risk of wheel contact with the fenders or other parts of the vehicle, especially during suspension compression or while turning sharply.
Factors In Making Your Decision About Installing Wheel Spacers:
Factors In Making Your Decision About Installing Wheel Spacers:
- Do your research: Ensure to research your specific vehicle make, model, year, and the quality of spacers you are considering. Choose the highest-quality, hub-centric spacers you can afford for the best fitment and safety.
- Get professional installation: Consider having the spacers installed by a professional mechanic who will ensure they’re fitted correctly and that your vehicle’s alignment and suspension settings are adjusted accordingly.
- Consider your driving needs: Finally, weigh the aesthetic and performance benefits against the potential downsides in terms of wear, safety, and legality.
If performance and aesthetics are essential to you, and you are willing to invest in high-quality parts and professional installation, wheel spacers can be a worthwhile addition to your classic car restoration project. However, if you are concerned about the long-term effects on your vehicle’s components, you might decide against them.
Wheel Spacers Vs Wheel Adapters
Wheel spacers and wheel adapters sound similar and are related in many ways. The wheel spacers are used to move a wheel outward. This is done for performance and style reasons. Wheel adapters also serve as spacers due to the nature of their design. However, they add another benefit by changing the lug nut pattern of a wheel. This allows a vehicle’s owner to get new wheels of their choice.
For example, someone with four-lug wheels might use a five-lug wheel adapter. Or they could change their five-bolt pattern from a 5 x 4.5 to a 5 x 5. This would allow them to install aftermarket wheels that otherwise wouldn’t fit.
Though each offers a different benefit, wheel spacers and wheel adapters are sometimes combined into one product. For a similar price to regular wheel spacers, you can get a wheel spacer adapter kit. This will space your wheels and let you change the bolt pattern in one fell swoop.
Without Wheel Spacers and With Wheel Spacers Installed
Finally
Before installing wheel spacers, it is important to carefully consider the potential pros and cons, ensure proper fitment and installation, and verify that the spacers meet any relevant safety and regulatory requirements in your area. Additionally, regular inspection and maintenance of the vehicle’s suspension and wheel components are essential to minimize the risk of premature wear or failure associated with the use of wheel spacers.
