What's wrong with using spacers? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

zc347 · 03-20-2004, 09:23

I've noticed a few people who have put AU/BA offset rims on pre AU cars with the use of spacers. And a few of these people have then sold their wheels due to "issues". So what's the problem with using spacers (besides being illegal in most states) and what are the issues you talk about?

I ask because i've seen a set of wheels that i like (2nd hand) in AU offset and wonder if it's worth the hassle.

Walkinshaw · 03-21-2004, 01:16

being that the spigot of the rim sits further out on the hub of the stub axel, it puts increased loadings on the wheel bearings, stub axles and most other suspension componants.

Thunder Kiss · 03-21-2004, 01:31

Shouldn't be any problems if they're well engineered. I have another car with 20mm spacers. I've owned it for six years and even done a few track days at Winton with no problems at all.

What's difference in offset between EL and AU (in millimetres) ?

Walkinshaw - I don't understand how it puts more load on the bearings. The AU wheel with spacer sits in the same location in the wheel well, overall, as an EL wheel would.

Mike Gayner · 03-21-2004, 01:35

It actually puts alot of the weight of the car on the wheel studs. Very dangerous, although small spacers (20mm or less) arent quite so bad.

Walkinshaw · 03-21-2004, 01:46

i think its a 35mm diffrence.

The AU hub doesnt sit in the same place the EL one would. The EL wheel would locate on the innermost part of the stub (only about 25mm long really), so with spacers the AU wheel doesnt touch much of the stub, rather the load gets transfered through the wheel studs = bad!

EA90_S · 03-21-2004, 02:11

do the hole in the rim should that go on by a hairline on the hub or is it ok to have gap around it as my dad has 5 slots on his falcon and they have a gao around the hub.

Thunder Kiss · 03-21-2004, 02:33

Here is what a well engineered spacer looks like. It attaches to the car by bolting up to the existing wheel studs.

Walkinshaw · 03-21-2004, 02:59

fact is the hub of the wheel acts at a further distance from the spindal than with the correct offset wheels.

Mike Gayner · 03-21-2004, 11:39

Even those spacers Thunder Kiss, although they look very high quality, most of the weight of the car is still sitting on the studs. The wheel needs to be supported by the spindle and bearings.

Thunder Kiss · 03-21-2004, 16:48

In theory, I agree with what you guys are saying. In practice, as mentioned, I've had spacers for six years with no problems (granted they're only 20mm). To be honest, I am more worried about the insurance implications if the worst should hapen than any mechanical problens they may cause.