Should it be this easy to break a spacer?

zentropy · 08-30-2011, 12:02 AM

Let me explain. I recently had a tire replaced on my passenger side front wheel. Up until that time everything seemed normal. Shortly after the tire was replaced I began to notice a vibration in the steering wheel, much more that was typical. So much in fact that It was visible to the eye with your hand on the wheel. I suspected that the tire wasn't properly balanced. To test this I took of the wheel and replaced it with the donut. While attempting to tighten down all the lug nuts and just when I was about finished one of the lugnuts "gave" meaning all of a sudden it is loose as s**T and pretty much spun freely. I can hand tighten enough so that it doesnt but as soon as I bust out the socket it gives again. Is this likely a defective spacer and should it be possible to strip it with only hand tightening? Can it be repaired or am I better taking it off and buying weels with a more aggressive offset?

Also, the vibrations seem to have diminished greatly though are still greater than what they were prior to the tire change. Any ideas on any of it? Thanks.

Allstock · 08-30-2011, 12:11 AM

Did you properly torque everything to 80-85 ft/lbs?

Trips · 08-30-2011, 12:15 AM

Replacing the spacer would be cheaper.
The only problem is they come as a set.

and follow the torque specs as suggested

zentropy · 08-30-2011, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allstock

Did you properly torque everything to 80-85 ft/lbs?

Working consecutive 14 hour days and then attempting simple tasks such as this can lead to disastrous effect. I don't have a torque wrench and this DIDN'T even occur to me. I'm sure that's probably what it is.

Thanks for pointing out what should have been painfully obvious.

ChipsWithDips · 08-30-2011, 12:29 AM

Also hopefully you know this already, but just in case, you should be tighening in a "star" pattern. Like you are drawing a pentagram.

zentropy · 08-30-2011, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChipsWithDips

Also hopefully you know this already, but just in case, you should be tighening in a "star" pattern. Like you are drawing a pentagram.

Haha, yeah, got that.

kenchan · 08-30-2011, 01:15 PM

or the tire place used an impact gun and broke it.

MattP725 · 08-31-2011, 02:50 PM

The one question I have is do you have extended studs or is it a bolt on spacer? That matters because one would mean the hub is stripped (or lug not seated) and the other would be the spacer is broken.

dvo · 08-31-2011, 05:42 PM

how long have you had the spacers?

spearfish25 · 09-03-2011, 10:13 PM

It doesn't sound like the spacer itself is the problem. It sounds like you stripped a lug.

ChrisSlicks · 09-04-2011, 08:39 AM

Is this a bolt on spacer or spacer with replacement extended lugs?

I broke a H&R stud yesterday after auto-x when torquing to 85 ft/lbs, a clean snap. 60mm Nismo studs will be the replacement for now.

08-30-2011, 12:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
zentropy Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Irving, Texas Posts: 407 Drives: 2013 Ford Focus ST Rep Power: 15	Should it be this easy to break a spacer? Let me explain. I recently had a tire replaced on my passenger side front wheel. Up until that time everything seemed normal. Shortly after the tire was replaced I began to notice a vibration in the steering wheel, much more that was typical. So much in fact that It was visible to the eye with your hand on the wheel. I suspected that the tire wasn't properly balanced. To test this I took of the wheel and replaced it with the donut. While attempting to tighten down all the lug nuts and just when I was about finished one of the lugnuts "gave" meaning all of a sudden it is loose as s*T and pretty much spun freely. I can hand tighten enough so that it doesnt but as soon as I bust out the socket it gives again. Is this likely a defective spacer and should it be possible to strip it with only hand tightening? Can it be repaired or am I better taking it off and buying weels with a more aggressive offset? Also, the vibrations seem to have diminished greatly though are still greater than what they were prior to the tire change. Any ideas on any of it? Thanks. __________________ Stillen CBStillen G3Stillen bumperCobb HFCTein BasicsVossen CV35% Tint*LED Bulbs http://www.facebook.com/groups/The370ZDfw http://www.facebook.com/paul.lum

08-30-2011, 12:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,728 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	Replacing the spacer would be cheaper. The only problem is they come as a set. and follow the torque specs as suggested __________________

09-03-2011, 10:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	It doesn't sound like the spacer itself is the problem. It sounds like you stripped a lug. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

09-04-2011, 08:39 AM	#11 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	Is this a bolt on spacer or spacer with replacement extended lugs? I broke a H&R stud yesterday after auto-x when torquing to 85 ft/lbs, a clean snap. 60mm Nismo studs will be the replacement for now. __________________ Hotchkis ARB \| Stillen CAI \| Art Pipes \| Berk CBE \| Stillen AP Racing Brakes \| AE Performance Oil Cooler \| BC Racing ER Coilovers \| Doran Control Arms

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08-30-2011, 12:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
Allstock Base Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 29 Drives: A Bicycle Rep Power: 13	Did you properly torque everything to 80-85 ft/lbs?

08-30-2011, 12:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
ChipsWithDips Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 279 Drives: '11 Gunmetal 370Z MT Rep Power: 14	Also hopefully you know this already, but just in case, you should be tighening in a "star" pattern. Like you are drawing a pentagram.

08-30-2011, 01:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	or the tire place used an impact gun and broke it.

08-31-2011, 02:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
MattP725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 16	The one question I have is do you have extended studs or is it a bolt on spacer? That matters because one would mean the hub is stripped (or lug not seated) and the other would be the spacer is broken.

08-31-2011, 05:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
dvo Base Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Gardena Posts: 129 Drives: FD Rep Power: 13	how long have you had the spacers?