Wheel spacers

Miata Parts, Intakes, Superchargers, Headers, Exhausts, Shocks, Springs, Sway Bars, Brake Kits, Autocross and track mods.
Post Reply
O.K.
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2016 12:52 pm

Wheel spacers

Post 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?
njaremka
Posts: 94
Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2010 10:31 am

Re: Wheel spacers

Post 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.
Brian
Site Admin
Posts: 11308
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:44 am
Location: San Diego CA
Contact:

Re: Wheel spacers

Post by Brian »

Indeed not much change in looks from 5mm spacers. I usually recommend more than 3mm spacer done with longer studs.
Brian Goodwin
Good-Win Racing
www.good-win-racing.com
O.K.
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2016 12:52 pm

Re: Wheel spacers

Post by O.K. »

Thanks guys, I guess I'll leave the spacers off.
NaregM677
Posts: 69
Joined: Fri Jan 31, 2014 1:48 pm
Location: Pasadena, CA

Re: Wheel spacers

Post 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?
2013 Miata Club "Shadowfax"
"And the road becomes my bride..."
jboemler
Posts: 304
Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:15 pm
Location: Mukilteo WA

Re: Wheel spacers

Post 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.
NaregM677
Posts: 69
Joined: Fri Jan 31, 2014 1:48 pm
Location: Pasadena, CA

Re: Wheel spacers

Post by NaregM677 »

:shock: :shock: :shock:

Sooooooooo...is there anything I can do to help prevent that?
2013 Miata Club "Shadowfax"
"And the road becomes my bride..."
jboemler
Posts: 304
Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:15 pm
Location: Mukilteo WA

Re: Wheel spacers

Post 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.
NaregM677
Posts: 69
Joined: Fri Jan 31, 2014 1:48 pm
Location: Pasadena, CA

Re: Wheel spacers

Post by NaregM677 »

Would the studs that come with it be sufficient?
2013 Miata Club "Shadowfax"
"And the road becomes my bride..."
jboemler
Posts: 304
Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:15 pm
Location: Mukilteo WA

Re: Wheel spacers

Post 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.
Post Reply