Ultimate Guide to Wheel Spacers

Want to add some clearance space for your wheels? Wheel spacers will help put your tires and wheels where you want them to be under your fender! Our comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about these handy accessories, including their benefits, types, installation, and safety considerations. Discover how wheel spacers can enhance your driving experience and take your ride to the next level.

What are Wheel Spacers?

Wheel spacer is round disc that is placed between the wheel hub assembly and the wheel. Its purpose is to create additional space between the wheel and the hub, effectively pushing the wheel away from the vehicle's body. Wheel spacers are typically made of aluminum or steel and come in various thicknesses, typically ranging from 5 to 30 millimeters. They are used for a variety of reasons, such as to widen the vehicle's track, to create more clearance for larger brakes or suspension components, or to enhance the appearance of the vehicle.

If you need to install wheels with bolt pattern different from your vehicle's hub pattern, you will need wheel adapters.

However, it is important to note that the use of wheel spacers can also have some potential drawbacks. They can increase the stress on the vehicle's wheel bearings, as well as the studs or bolts that hold the wheels in place. In addition, poorly made or incorrectly installed wheel spacers can compromise the safety of the vehicle by increasing the risk of wheel failure or loss.

When using wheel spacers, it is crucial to ensure that they are properly installed and that the correct size is selected for the vehicle and wheel application. Make sure to use wheel spacers with correct size and thread pitch for your vehicle and wheel application to ensure a secure fit for a safe driving experience. Improperly installed wheel spacers can lead to safety hazards such as wheel wobble, vibration, and even failure of the spacer or wheel. You should also consider the potential impact of wheels spacers on the vehicle's handling characteristics and to make any necessary adjustments to the suspension or steering systems.

It is recommended that you consult with a professional mechanic or wheel specialist before installing wheel spacers on your vehicle to ensure that they are the right fit for your specific make and model, and that they are installed correctly to minimize any potential risks.

Wheel Spacer Types

There are several types and options of wheel spacers used in wheel applications. Wheel spacers can be hub-centric and lug-centric. They can also come in bolt-on or slip-on options.

• Hub-centric wheel spacers are designed to fit snugly over the hub of the vehicle, creating a perfect centering. They provide better stability and reduce vibrations while driving.
• Lug-centric wheel spacers are centered around the wheel studs, rather than the hub. They are less expensive than hub-centric spacers, but can cause wheel vibration if not installed correctly.
• Bolt-on wheel spacers are the most common and are installed between the wheel and the hub using longer bolts. They are typically made from high-strength aluminum or steel and are available in different thicknesses.
• Slip-on wheel spacers are designed to slip over the wheel hub and are secured by the wheel studs. They are usually made of aluminum and are easier to install than bolt-on wheel spacers.

You should carefully consider the type of wheel spacers that are appropriate for your specific vehicle, and to ensure that they are installed properly to minimize the risk of any negative effects on your vehicle's performance or safety. It is recommended to consult with a professional mechanic or tire specialist before installing wheel spacers on your vehicle.

Wheel Spacer Sizes

The size of the wheel spacer required depends on the specific vehicle and wheel setup, as well as the desired effect. When selecting wheel spacers, it is essential to consider the thickness of the spacer, the bolt pattern, the tread pitch size and the center bore or hub bore size.

Here are some common wheel spacer thickness sizes:

• 5 mm are the thinnest spacers available and are generally used to provide a slight increase in clearance for brake calipers or suspension components.
• 10 mm spacers are a popular choice and can provide improved handling and a more aggressive stance.
• 15 mm spacers can be used to push the wheels out further from the vehicle's body, giving a more aggressive look and improving handling.
• 20 mm spacers are generally used for track purposes, as they can provide a significant increase in handling performance.
• 25+ mm spacers are generally used for track purposes only and can cause issues with clearance and stability if used on the street.

Always consult with a professional before installing wheel spacers, and ensure that they are installed correctly and with the appropriate torque specifications.

Are Wheel Spacers Safe?

High-quality, well designed wheel spacers are safe when installed properly and used within their design limits. However, there are some potential risks associated with wheel spacers that you should be aware of before deciding to use them.

One potential risk is that wheel spacers can put additional stress on your vehicle's suspension components, such as wheel bearings and ball joints. This can lead to premature wear and failure of these parts, which can be dangerous if they fail while you're driving.

Another risk is that wheel spacers can change the handling characteristics of your vehicle. By increasing the track width (the distance between the wheels), wheel spacers can alter the vehicle's center of gravity, which can affect how it handles in turns and at high speeds. This can increase the risk of rollover or loss of control.

Additionally, improperly installed or poorly designed wheel spacers can lead to wheel wobble, vibrations, or even wheel detachment, which can cause a serious accident.

If you are considering using wheel spacers, it is important to do your research and choose high-quality spacers that are specifically designed for your vehicle. You should also have them installed by a professional to ensure that they are installed correctly and safely. Finally, it is important to regularly inspect your wheel spacers and suspension components for signs of wear or damage, and to discontinue use immediately if you notice any issues.

Where to Buy Wheel Spacers?

You can get the best prices on quality wheel spacers on Amazon and eBay.

If you are looking for high quality aftermarket wheel spacers, consider these trusted brands:

BORA (Bulletproof Off Road Adapters)

BORA wheel spacers are manufactured in the USA using top of the line, state of the art, HAAS CNC machines. BORA products are engineered and manufactured to meet the demands of off-road driving and are built to withstand extreme conditions. Made from high-strength materials such as aircraft-grade aluminum and steel, they undergo rigorous testing to ensure their strength and durability.

Buy BORA wheel spacers on Amazon and eBay.

Supreme Suspensions

Whether you want to pick up some clearance for bigger tires or widen your vehicle's stance, Supreme Suspensions got you covered with a full line of wheel spacers fabricated from aircraft-grade billet aluminum and fitted with knurled wheel studs to ensure maximum durability. Based in California since 1991, Supreme Suspensions also offers a lifetime warranty on all of its products.

Buy Supreme Suspensions wheel spacers on Amazon and eBay.

Spidertrax

Colorado based Spidertrax has been providing the off-road market with quality wheel spacers since 1999, featuring vehicle specific designs, aluminum anodizing for critical corrosion resistance and unmatched competition tested no risk money back guarantee. Spidertrax prides itself on producing durable, reliable products that are rigorously tested to ensure they can withstand the toughest off-road conditions. Their products are used by off-road enthusiasts, racers, and professionals around the world.

Buy Spidertrax wheel spacers on Amazon and eBay.

Rough Country

Founded in 1986 in Dyersburg, Tennessee, Rough Country is a leading provider of aftermarket performance-enhancing truck products and accessories, boasting a huge lineup of products for a wide range of vehicles. You will find high quality Rough Country wheel spacers at affordable prices that will not break the bank.

Buy Rough Country wheel spacers on Amazon and eBay.

ECCPP

ECCPP offer parts and accessories for the perfect combination of quality and value. ECCPP wheel spacers are designed to give your vehicle a more aggressive stance, allow for better handling characteristics, increase tire clearance, fix brake caliper clearance issues, allow installation of lift or lower kits and larger traction tires.

Buy ECCPP wheel spacers on Amazon and eBay.

How to Install Wheel Spacers

Learn how to install wheel spacers with our step by step installation guide.

All listed guides, data and/or calculations are for informational purposes only. LugBoltPattern.com does not warrant or make any representations regarding the accuracy of or the results of the use of this information.