Are Wheel Spacers Good or Bad? Everything You Need to Know

Many people utilize spacers to provide a small amount of extra space between the tire and the weight-bearing bulk of the tire. Spacers are unique components that allow more space between the tire hub and the tire itself when used together.

Spacers are often used on cars that have had their wheels and rims changed to be larger or wider than the originals in order to improve handling.

This is most often seen on cars that have been modified and no longer use the original equipment wheels and tires.

Because the tires and wheels are larger, wheel spacers may be needed to help them fit in the available area without rubbing or hitting other objects.

The use of spacers is not universal; instead, they must be customized for your particular type of vehicle, as they must fit your lug nut design. In this way, they will be able to fit over the actual uprights of the bracket.

What Are Wheel Spacers?

Wheel spacers are aluminum discs that are installed on the wheel hub. Their basic function is to increase the width of the axle.

The visual effect is that the rim is more visible, giving the vehicle a sportier look, similar to that of a racing car. It is important to remember that any component or modification we make to our vehicle must have the pertinent homologation.

Types Of Wheel Spacers

There is a great variety of separators since not just any separator is suitable for any vehicle. Each vehicle must have a specific separator.

Simple separators

They are the most suitable for small thicknesses.

Double-centered separators

These are metal discs, mostly made of aluminum, with centering on the hub of the car and on the rim. In this way, perfect balancing is achieved.

Longer bolts are used for their installation, being necessary to replace the wheel bolts.

Double centering and double fixing spacers

They have the same qualities as the previous ones. The spacers are fixed to the vehicle hub by means of bolts. In this way, the spacer is fixed to the axle before the wheel is fixed to the spacer. This spacer is suitable for cars with four-wheel drive.

Adapted spacers

This type of spacer makes it possible to mount an Audi or Seat wheel on the vehicle, for example.

Universal spacers

It is possible to order them in a variety of sizes ranging from 6 mm to 25 mm in 4 holes and 6 mm in 5 holes.

Being universal, they offer the advantage of being able to be fitted to a wide variety of cars without having to center them.

Car vibrations will start if the spacer is not correctly aligned and centered when fitted to the vehicle.

Advantages Of Wheel Spacers

1. Aesthetics

You can make your vehicle look different by using tire spacers, which can help you achieve your goal.

These will help you push the tires slightly forward and align them precisely with the fender, or they can even be used to push the tires beyond the fender for a wider stance appearance.

2. Vehicle stability and handling.

The use of these components can help improve the overall stability of our car while driving.

They are placed between the wheel hub and the wheel, which allows the wheel to be moved away from the chassis.

This has the potential to improve the car’s cornering grip. If they are placed only on one of the axles, for example, only on the rear axle, there is a change in the balance of the vehicle, as well as an increase in the grip on the rear axle of the vehicle, which is a positive result.

3. Adapting wheels to a car

The fact that the wheels can be used on a vehicle for which they were not designed, for example, because they collide with suspension or body components, is another advantage of this approach.

Disadvantages Of Wheel Spacers

1. Suspension geometry

Due to geometry changes caused by spacers in the suspension, some components, such as suspension arms, are subjected to loads in places for which they were not originally intended.

2. Wear and tear of some components

To design the car and its suspension system, engineers must perform very precise calculations.

Load distribution and mechanics are altered when clearances are changed, which makes these calculations no longer accurate.

When the geometry is changed, it can lead to increased wear of certain components, such as bearings, and even bearing failure in some cases.

3. Steering behavior

Depending on the number of wheel spacers we install, the steering may offer more resistance, requiring the application of more force on the steering wheel to turn the wheels. The greater the thickness of the spacer, the more evident this defect will be.

4. Vehicle behavior

The behavior of the vehicle on the road is altered as a result of this modification. During a turning maneuver, an oversteering vehicle may start to react in the opposite way and begin to understeer. When these spacers are fitted, it is recommended to align the wheels, as the toe and camber values will have changed.

Final Thoughts – Wheel Spacers Pros and Cons

Wheel spacers are valid upgrades for performance and appearance, but there can be some potential problems with them.

Because the wheel and tire are located farther away from their original mounting location, additional pressure is placed on the axle and wheel mounting area. Over time, this could lead to additional wear on these components.

Liam Dare

As CEO of ReplicarClub.com, my passion for the automotive world motivates me to build online businesses that provide information and entertainment to users. I am proud to contribute in a positive way to the automotive community.