something had to be not right with that installation. When properly installed, there would be no force on the centering rings as everything is bolted flush together and there should be no side load on the centering rings. Possibly the ring was too deep and prevented full contact between the wheel and spacer, or something like that? I know when I used type 2 20mm rings on the rear, the original studs were contacting the back of my wheels preventing proper fitment.

Mine broke off on my front wheels after like 6 months of normal driving (no autox or tracking). Another user bought a set from someone else where the same thing happened. These were the DRS stud replacement type from H&R.

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/7889/dscf2414f.jpg
http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/7587/dscf2415.jpg

I think it is because the stock wheel lugs aren't truly lug centric, so some of the load gets transferred to the centering ring instead. I don't think it would happen with after-market wheels.

that probably is the case, the stock lugs can move a little if you put them in the hole when the wheel isn't mounted. stupid design, I wonder why they use it?

Debate over spacers and safety can go on forever. I choose not to use spacers ever.

+!

+2

I only used them with the stock wheels so that they would be compatible with the extended studs I run for the my track wheels. At this point I'm just going to lose the spacers and find some open lugs that are compatible with the stock wheels.

I think the only way to get open lugs that are compatible would be to slice the top off of the stock lugnuts and open them yourself.

I do use spacers for the track, so that I can run the same wheels front and back and rotate tires.

I wonder if it was truly the Nissan lugs. If the studs aren't pulled all the way through and the wheel torque drops with driving, you'd break the spacer. I can't see how a wheel would put any additional force on the hubcentric ring if all 5 lugs are properly torqued. My winter wheels have plastic hubcentric rings that sit flush with the spacer hubcentric rings. If there was pressure there, all the plastic rings would have been destroyed when I took off the winter wheels this spring...but they were all fine.

Look closely at the Nissan lugs the next time you mount up a stock wheel. Unlike the lugs from the 350Z they don't use the cone seat to really center themselves perfectly. They rely on the washer applying enough torque to hold everything in position once it is centered on the ring.

With your aftermarket wheels they are probably lug centric lugs which will use a cone seat to get everything perfect with the center ring as a guide. I can run my aftermarket wheels with or without the centering rings and it doesn't seem to make a difference. Do that with the stock wheels and you get horrible vibration (spacer without centering ring).

If that's the case, can I just run my aftermarket wheel lugs with my stock Rays? Never tried swapping the lugs, but I did use the wheel locks on the aftermarket rims.

I just pulled all four wheels to swap pads after my last autocross where I dogged the car. Spacers are all still intact.