H&R Spacer... Lip shaved/broke off?!

[flashburn]

I have the H&R DRS 15MM spacers on the front. I noticed today when I took my wheels off, that the lip that goes around the inner portion of the spacer was "missing". I never noticed before, but then again, I didn't install them myself and I've never looked too closely at them until now.

I did find the lip, stuck inside the wheel. Both of my front wheels were like this. The rear wheels are perfectly fine and the lip is intact. One thing I noticed is that the edge where it "broke" off (???) is pretty sharp, but not a completely clean cut. Does this sound like the lip broke off, or was purposely cut off? I can't fathom why the shop would do this though.

It's been over a year since I had them installed, so going back to the shop to ask them probably wouldn't be worth the effort.

Also, you can see the lip on the DRM version, which looks the same as the DRS, here:

[kenchan]

Thats a defect or design flaw and one problem the HR AND Eibach faces as they are similar in design and light materials used.

I would write to the manufacturer for replacement. But its good to hear ur studs didn't break off while driving!

[flashburn]

I wrote Josh@Stillen a PM since I bought them through him (they didn't install them though). Hopefully they can just be replaced under warranty.

I think this is why I've been having some vibration in my steering wheel for a while. I thought it was the tires themselves, but now I'm thinking its the spacers causing the problem. I don't think there is much of a chance of the studs breaking off, since I think they've been like this since before I went to the track last year.

I'll probably just see if I can buy a replacement set minus the studs and then send in the defective ones for replacement, and just sell the ones they send me back.

[onzedge]

Originally Posted by kenchan

Thats a defect or design flaw and one problem the HR AND Eibach faces as they are similar in design and light materials used.

I would write to the manufacturer for replacement. But its good to hear ur studs didn't break off while driving!

[azn370z]

I think rcz had the same problem with his spacer. I haven't had any problems with mine.

[flashburn]

Originally Posted by azn370z

I think rcz had the same problem with his spacer. I haven't had any problems with mine.

Wow, that's crazy. I wonder what causes this and what can be done to prevent it.

[kenchan]

im no expert with metals but it appears the metal is too thin or brittle causing fatigue on the HR's.

if you use lug-centric aftermarket wheels you are minimizing the burden on that lip so you will probably not experience this ever. ive had Kics for 6yrs or so, never had a problem on both lug-centric and hub-centric wheel applications. i also have a pair of Eibach 20mm which are doing okay the last 3k miles of use.

[cheshirecat]

Strange- any way you could post some pics?

[flashburn]

I should of taken some while I had the wheels off still. It's not much to see though. Hopefully I'll get some replacements this week, and I'll post some pictures after that.

[Red__Zed]

glad nothing bad happened to ya!

[phunk]

in the picture, it looks like a billet piece. not much room for material defect in billet machined parts. if it happened to one set, it will probably happen to another.

[flashburn]

So unfortunately H&R doesn't warranty their spacers once they have been installed. Incredibly lame, since when else would you really need a warranty on a set of spacers?

Luckily Josh@Stillen was able to give me a great price, and ensure that I'll get the new spacers on Wednesday. to Stillen!

I can only hope now that this doesn't happen again with the new spacers too.

Now I'll have an extra set of studs if anyone is interested.

[daisuke149]

Originally Posted by flashburn

So unfortunately H&R doesn't warranty their spacers once they have been installed. Incredibly lame, since when else would you really need a warranty on a set of spacers?

Luckily Josh@Stillen was able to give me a great price, and ensure that I'll get the new spacers on Wednesday. to Stillen!

I can only hope now that this doesn't happen again with the new spacers too.

Now I'll have an extra set of studs if anyone is interested.

lol thats dumb.. if everyone did that..

"Hi, we will warranty your nissan 370z but only if you dont drive it ever or turn it on"

[flashburn]

I totally agree, and normally I'd just say "Fuck H&R" but since their reputation for spacers is pretty good, and there aren't many choices, I decided I'll try again with them.

[fuct]

very odd. mine are holding up great!