What are rim spacers and what is worth knowing about them?

Rim spacers are a very useful solution used both in tuning and with rims less typical for a given car model.

Find out what types of spacers there are, when to use them, and how spacers affect driving and handling on the road or on the race track.

How do wheel spacers work and why are they important?

Wheel spacers are mounted to the wheel hub and increase the wheelbase on a given car axle. They can be used both if you have steel rims and in the much more common case, aluminum rims. Spacers are fitted for several different reasons. It could be:

• sports tuning - wheel spacers allow you to find more space for sports brakes (larger ventilated discs, four-piston calipers) and their better cooling;
• optical tuning - the installation of spacers makes the car seem wider and more stable - here it must be remembered that Polish law does not allow tires to protrude beyond the outline of the car. Hence, additional 'fenders' covering protruding tires are a common sight;
• wider tires, less typical rims - if you want to use much wider tires or the width of the rims is different than the factory one, it may also be necessary to make room for them or move them away from the elements of the vehicle that could rub against when turning;
• change of bolt spacing - if you want to use rims with a different bolt spacing, you can change it using special spacers.

Often, when changing brakes, tires or rims to non-series ones, it may be necessary to add space, without which the tire or rim would immediately come into contact with a part of the vehicle and damage would prevent further driving. That is why the use of rim spacers is often absolutely necessary and willingly practiced by many drivers and car owners.

Types of wheel spacers - what is worth knowing?

A whole range of different types of wheel spacers for many applications and sizes are available for sale. These include, among others, such types of distances as:

• spacers for rims without a centering flange - the cheapest and most often chosen when widening to 6 millimeters on each side;
• spacers for rims with a centering flange - with a larger distance, it must have its own centering flange, because the original one will be completely covered;
• wheel spacers screwed to the hub - used, for example, when you want to change the bolt spacing - can also be used as wheel spacers with studs.

Also remember about the correct fastening bolts - both their proper length and the type of mounting (boost, socket) or pins and matching nuts.

Installation of wheel spacers - how to do it correctly?

Mounting wheel spacers is not a particularly difficult task. If you're going to do it yourself, follow these steps:

• put the car on a flat surface with straightened wheels - put the gear in (preferably first), apply the handbrake and use a wheel chock (not the one you will unscrew);
• loosen the wheel bolts;
• lift the vehicle with a jack - remember to support the car at the designated points of the chassis;
• unscrew the bolts to the end and remove the wheel;
• clean the hub of dirt and rust - use delicate sandpaper, a wire brush or preparations intended for this purpose;
• make sure by applying the spacer that you have chosen its size correctly - hole spacing, width and diameter;
• mount the spacer - it can be lubricated with a special grease (ceramic grease) - remember about good centering and the appropriate side of the spacer - the side with the chamfer (chamfer) should be directed to the center (hub);
• mount the wheels by tightening the bolts crosswise with a torque wrench - without it it is easy to damage, especially aluminum rims , by applying too much force;
• lower the car from the jack and remove the chock from under the wheel;
• drive a short distance and make sure that nothing rubs against each other;
• it is worth checking the bolts after driving 50-100 kilometers and tightening them if necessary.

The impact of wheel spacers on driving - stability, comfort and safety

The installation of spacers has a significant impact on how the car drives. The main difference is the increased track width, which has a very positive effect on driving stability. Cornering at high speed should become easier. This means increased safety, especially in dangerous moments. If you changed the track to add more powerful brakes, this is also a significant increase in driving safety.

There is also a certain negative effect of spacers on the ride - they reduce the so-called unsprung mass, which can cause faster wear of suspension components. Most often it is accelerated wear of the hub bearing.

Choosing the right wheel spacers - factors worth paying attention to

Choosing the right distances requires knowing a few important parameters. First, you need to decide on the width of the spacer. In cases where the rim needs to be pushed aside to make room for the brake, it is easy to see how much distance is needed. The same is true when using less typical rims. In the case of visual tuning, the change is limited by not protruding the wheels beyond the outline of the vehicle and not touching the wheel arches. In the case of distances up to 6 millimeters, you can use them in a straight-through version without a flange.

With larger widths, they should have a flange, because the one from the hub will be completely covered by the spacer. In both of these cases, it is most often required to use longer wheel bolts - not too long, because bolts protruding too far can lead to serious damage. If you have decided to change the spacing of the bolts with spacers screwed to the hub, remember that the bolts fixing the spacer are completely hidden. The wheel in this case can be tightened with factory bolts.

It is also important to check that the spacers are made of good and durable material. As a standard, it is aluminum, or rather its various alloys with various additives.

Also remember that the spacers should not have a diameter larger than the hub, in fact they should be slightly smaller. This difference may be necessary when centering the rim.

Aesthetics of rims with spacers - how to achieve the desired visual effect?

Very often the main effect you want to achieve with spacers is the aesthetics of the rims, which look better when they are not buried deep in the wheel arches. The width of the rims you want to use here is of great importance for the appearance of the entire car. If it is smaller than the factory parameters, then moving them apart with spacers will significantly improve the silhouette of the car and give it a more solid and serious look. In order to determine how far the distance between the rim and the hub can be, measure the distance between the tire and the edge of the fender. However, it is necessary to take into account the possibility of tire deformation at lower pressure or in fast cornering. Take measurements for each axle, because you can easily use different spacers at the front and rear. Many people associate wider or wider rear tires with a very sporty look.

Wheel spacers are very useful in various situations. Their use is completely legal and you can successfully assemble them yourself. However, it is worth going to the alignment after each wheel assembly. If you do not feel up to it, then in the car workshop, professionals will certainly put the spacers on your car correctly.