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Wheel spacers

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 6:15 pm
by O.K.
Hey Brian,
Thanks for all the good advice on tires.
I am thinking of getting 5mm spacers for my wheels and new tires. I want a more aggressive look and think these will help as I don't want tires larger than 195/ 50/15.
I have heard pros and cons on spacers- what do you think?

Re: Wheel spacers

Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 6:02 am
by njaremka
In my experience, wheel spacers 5mm and less offer very little as far as looks are concerned. In general, anything up to 5mm is usually used when there is a need for clearance, not looks. I wouldn't go more than 5mm on stock wheel studs, either.

I had 3mm spacers on my 2001 Protege ES for clearance with FD 16x8 wheels, and I currently use 5mm spacers with my OEM 2011 Miata NC wheels.

Re: Wheel spacers

Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 6:38 am
by Brian
Indeed not much change in looks from 5mm spacers. I usually recommend more than 3mm spacer done with longer studs.

Re: Wheel spacers

Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 11:43 am
by O.K.
Thanks guys, I guess I'll leave the spacers off.

Re: Wheel spacers

Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 10:03 am
by NaregM677
njaremka wrote: I wouldn't go more than 5mm on stock wheel studs, either.
I kinda wish I read this comment before ordering the 10mm Wheel Spacers with Extended Studs a few days ago. What is your hesitation about adding spacers more than 5mm thick? Is it a matter of durability?

Re: Wheel spacers

Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 6:31 pm
by jboemler
It's a matter of thread engagement. For each mm of spacer thickness, you lose a mm of threads holding the wheels on, and eventually you risk cornering forces ripping the lug nuts off.

Re: Wheel spacers

Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 9:47 am
by NaregM677
:shock: :shock: :shock:

Sooooooooo...is there anything I can do to help prevent that?

Re: Wheel spacers

Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 2:12 pm
by jboemler
Sure, you can install longer studs, and as long as the length is selected right the spacers are a perfectly good solution. But replacing the studs is a PITA - not worth it for people who are sticking with 195 tires.

Re: Wheel spacers

Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 12:33 pm
by NaregM677
Would the studs that come with it be sufficient?

Re: Wheel spacers

Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 1:18 pm
by jboemler
If you're buying spacers that come with studs, I would presume they'd be fine. If you mean the studs that came on the car with 10mm spacers, no.