Peoples opinions on wheel spacers

binge · Gate Opener Joined: 11 Oct 2013 Odometer: 15

Okay, so in the car scene, Wheels spacers (Mainly on the front) are frowned upon for a few reasons.

Handling isn't at the top of my priorities list with the Feroza, and seeing as I've already done a 2" suspension lift, and will be carrying out a 2" body lift next week, I cant help but feel the thing is getting a little tall and narrow.

Reason for the lifting, is to prepare for big tyres. Not entirely sure on what size yet. Something bigger than 235/75-15, which is what I already have.

I've seen a set of billet wheel spacers on ebay for £150, they are 40mm, and the proper bolt on - studded type, rather than stud extensions.

Is my truck likely to munch through wheel bearings with these?

They are also non-hub-centric, will this play a big part in the strength of them?

Any thoughts.

Cheers,

Ben

David_LLAMA4x4

David_LLAMA4x4

noodle247 · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 4:25 pm Post subject:

They should be fine if they're of a decent quality.
You'll lose a little steering an I'd check the wheel bearings more often but strength wise they'll be fine.
I did have a wheel bearing collaps on my track cause of spacers but
I was running a total if 100mm of back spacing ( 65mm wheel spacers + -35mm offset wheels on 37" tyres. )
I'm now running 30mm spacers on the front and -35mm offset wheels
And have had no troubles, there on hilux axles but the same should apply.
As for tyres I recon 31 10.50r15 are prob the best option for a sporty.

Xpajun

Toseland · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 5:48 pm Post subject:

i agree with the lot posted above..

Difference between offroad and performance onroad is huge..

my vitara went up nearly 4 inches just on suspension and it felt massively unstable without the 32mm grayston spacers i had on.

I never had an issue, in fact the very fact i had them on probably saved me from a much nastier accident as i lost a wheel on a local A road (front passanger side, 50mph) due to the bolts that the spacer sits over, the disk stayed where it was and rolled neatly to a stop.. wheel went back on there and then witht he spare bolts i had in the truck, problem fixed with minimal damage to the truck.

i used them with standard wheels, (vitara alloys) and never had an issue with bearings and i drove the truck hard off and on road (as hard as you can on road that is)

dxmedia · Mud Obsessed Joined: 10 Dec 2008 Odometer: 2185

And that's the EXACT reason why the cast alloy spacers with the nut extensions are lethal.

When your wheel comes rolling past you you'll blame some scroat on loosening your wheel nuts.

Then you'll hear the same thing from several people who also use the cast spacers.

Get steel or billet alloy ones and you'll be fine. Keep away from the cast ones with the extended bolts, they are only about £40 cheaper than steel ones if you hit the internet rather than ebay.

RichardD · Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 1:33 pm Post subject:

Now I've fixed Lama4x4's post ...

I put billet spacers on my Sj413 based Blitz4x4 and I wore out rear wheel bearings very very quickly BUT it was worth the odd £10 here and there for the stability

binge · Gate Opener Joined: 11 Oct 2013 Odometer: 15

Might have been a good idea to get these spacers sooner rather than later.
Although I dont really think they would of helped in this situation...

North Downs Way, There is a byway that passes around a swampy ditch.
We'd got blocked by a fallen tree up a side byway too narrow to open the doors on, and had to back up. Unfortunately the byway all slipped away, and one of my rear wheels ended up off the edge of the track. The ground was pure sludge.

Truck was seesawing on the top for a while, my mates jumped out of their truck, grabbed hold of the nudge bar, and managed to get the front back down, then the byway just collapsed from under the truck, and we rolled 360 degrees to the bottom of the ditch.

Only real damage was my GF's collar bone. It snapped when she put her arms up onto the roof. I'm Gutted.

Truck has been there since Sunday morining. I'm going down tonight with a mate who has a Rangey with winches and snap blocks?, to pull the thing out...

Little dis-heartened on the whole situation, but it's one of them things.
G/F is recovering well, I'm currently getting together all the things to make the truck as safe as possible, Including a Roll cage, Bucket seats, 4 point harnesses, and a Winch / bumper.

A Cheap Hobby has become something I'm not willing to risk lives over. Both my Vans are going up for sale to fund a decent, safe 4x4.

Ben

Tractor Stig · Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 9:26 pm Post subject:

watch this to make you a bit wary of steep banks....look out for the leg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiNLPltC1RA&...tube_gdata_player

binge · Gate Opener Joined: 11 Oct 2013 Odometer: 15

Seen that clip before but never noticed the limb. Ouch!

I am fully aware we were extremely lucky!

A friend dragged the Feroza out last night with his V8 Rangey, had to green lane it about a mile back to the main road where I put it on the Dolly and towed it home behind my van.

It'll go again, but I Will be selling my 02 Transit to fund it.
Gonna have the roof pulled straight, or replaced, and get it fully caged. Will pick-up it too.

FBF · Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 5:35 pm Post subject:

do the spacers, look cool, learn to press your own bearings every year, job done

zukmeista · Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 8:24 pm Post subject:

******, shame about the truck but glad to hear there were no serious injuries. Might be cheaper to do a body swap than have that one repaired?

noodle247 · Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:15 pm Post subject:

Looked nasty glad the hear your all ok.
By the look of the roof you might be better starting on a
New truck and transfer parts across.
Swapping shells or repairing the roof is a lot of work and
Prop no cheaper that buying another.
An think if the spares backup you'll have!