Wheel Spacers 101

mults · 06-10-2015, 07:54 PM

So, I've read this thread from start to finish (almost) and cannot find what I am looking for.

After seeing a fellow Cleveland Z Club member's car with front and rear wheel spacers installed (20 front and 25 rears), I really liked the way the wheels filled the wheel well. I decided on Ichiba spacers and when installed, they were perfect. They fit like a glove and was exactly what I had in mind, until:

A friend and I drove to Watkins Glen racetrack for an event sponsored by his Alma Mater. When I entered the freeway, I hit about 65 MPH and I thought that the wheels were going to fall off

. Anything above this speed, and I could hardly hold on to the steering wheel. At the first rest stop, I rechecked the torque on the lugnuts and there were perfect.

The car felt to me that the tires were way out of balance; mostly the fronts, but in the rear as well. Every time we stopped, the nuts were checked and were found to be tight.

After the 5 hour drive, my arms were tired and the next morning before our laps at The Glen, I removed the spacers in the hotel parking lot. Once removed, the car was perfect again. At speeds up to 100 MPH, the balance was right on

.

So, fellow wheel spacers users, what the heck is going on? I made sure that the spacers were absolutely centered (the spacers are hubcentric) and the mating surfaces were clean and had no debris. I have been working in a torqueing company for 42 years and I know how to secure wheels in the proper sequence and torques, so that was not the issue. I love the way they look, but if I can't figure out what's going on, they will NOT be reinstalled.

Any insight is appreciated...

Drex · 06-11-2015, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mults

So, I've read this thread from start to finish (almost) and cannot find what I am looking for.

After seeing a fellow Cleveland Z Club member's car with front and rear wheel spacers installed (20 front and 25 rears), I really liked the way the wheels filled the wheel well. I decided on Ichiba spacers and when installed, they were perfect. They fit like a glove and was exactly what I had in mind, until:

A friend and I drove to Watkins Glen racetrack for an event sponsored by his Alma Mater. When I entered the freeway, I hit about 65 MPH and I thought that the wheels were going to fall off

. Anything above this speed, and I could hardly hold on to the steering wheel. At the first rest stop, I rechecked the torque on the lugnuts and there were perfect.

The car felt to me that the tires were way out of balance; mostly the fronts, but in the rear as well. Every time we stopped, the nuts were checked and were found to be tight.

After the 5 hour drive, my arms were tired and the next morning before our laps at The Glen, I removed the spacers in the hotel parking lot. Once removed, the car was perfect again. At speeds up to 100 MPH, the balance was right on

.

So, fellow wheel spacers users, what the heck is going on? I made sure that the spacers were absolutely centered (the spacers are hubcentric) and the mating surfaces were clean and had no debris. I have been working in a torqueing company for 42 years and I know how to secure wheels in the proper sequence and torques, so that was not the issue. I love the way they look, but if I can't figure out what's going on, they will NOT be reinstalled.

Any insight is appreciated...

i had a similar issue after installing 25mm rear spacers (bolt on). i ended up needing to take off the wheels and retourque the spacers. been driving on them for 10k+ miles since then with no issues.

carlitos_370z · 06-30-2015, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drex

i had a similar issue after installing 25mm rear spacers (bolt on). i ended up needing to take off the wheels and retourque the spacers. been driving on them for 10k+ miles since then with no issues.

Do you check the torque of the spacers after remove them??? sounds like you have your spacers loosen. Is the only thing that come to my mind right now...

UTAMAV · 09-01-2015, 08:55 PM

Hey guys, it's been a while since I've been on the forum. Glad to be back. I know I'm just one of many who have put spacers on their car, but I thought I would post pictures after the install anyway. Hope it helps anyone searching for spacers.

My setup:
Suspension: Stock OEM
Wheels: OEM Sport Rays
Tires: Bridgestone S-04 Pole Position
F: 275/35/19---->20mm spacer
R: 305/30/19---->25mm spacer

The spacers were very high quality. Fit and finish was excellent. Z1 had great customer service. Very happy with this decision

Cavallero · 03-23-2017, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mults

So, I've read this thread from start to finish (almost) and cannot find what I am looking for.

After seeing a fellow Cleveland Z Club member's car with front and rear wheel spacers installed (20 front and 25 rears), I really liked the way the wheels filled the wheel well. I decided on Ichiba spacers and when installed, they were perfect. They fit like a glove and was exactly what I had in mind, until:

A friend and I drove to Watkins Glen racetrack for an event sponsored by his Alma Mater. When I entered the freeway, I hit about 65 MPH and I thought that the wheels were going to fall off

. Anything above this speed, and I could hardly hold on to the steering wheel. At the first rest stop, I rechecked the torque on the lugnuts and there were perfect.

The car felt to me that the tires were way out of balance; mostly the fronts, but in the rear as well. Every time we stopped, the nuts were checked and were found to be tight.

After the 5 hour drive, my arms were tired and the next morning before our laps at The Glen, I removed the spacers in the hotel parking lot. Once removed, the car was perfect again. At speeds up to 100 MPH, the balance was right on

.

So, fellow wheel spacers users, what the heck is going on? I made sure that the spacers were absolutely centered (the spacers are hubcentric) and the mating surfaces were clean and had no debris. I have been working in a torqueing company for 42 years and I know how to secure wheels in the proper sequence and torques, so that was not the issue. I love the way they look, but if I can't figure out what's going on, they will NOT be reinstalled.

Any insight is appreciated...

I know this post is about 1.5yrs old, but would like to know what was the outcome in resolving the issue.

06-10-2015, 07:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
mults A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Cleveland, OH Age: 71 Posts: 1,830 Drives: 2010 (40th) #706 Rep Power: 16887	So, I've read this thread from start to finish (almost) and cannot find what I am looking for. After seeing a fellow Cleveland Z Club member's car with front and rear wheel spacers installed (20 front and 25 rears), I really liked the way the wheels filled the wheel well. I decided on Ichiba spacers and when installed, they were perfect. They fit like a glove and was exactly what I had in mind, until: A friend and I drove to Watkins Glen racetrack for an event sponsored by his Alma Mater. When I entered the freeway, I hit about 65 MPH and I thought that the wheels were going to fall off . Anything above this speed, and I could hardly hold on to the steering wheel. At the first rest stop, I rechecked the torque on the lugnuts and there were perfect. The car felt to me that the tires were way out of balance; mostly the fronts, but in the rear as well. Every time we stopped, the nuts were checked and were found to be tight. After the 5 hour drive, my arms were tired and the next morning before our laps at The Glen, I removed the spacers in the hotel parking lot. Once removed, the car was perfect again. At speeds up to 100 MPH, the balance was right on . So, fellow wheel spacers users, what the heck is going on? I made sure that the spacers were absolutely centered (the spacers are hubcentric) and the mating surfaces were clean and had no debris. I have been working in a torqueing company for 42 years and I know how to secure wheels in the proper sequence and torques, so that was not the issue. I love the way they look, but if I can't figure out what's going on, they will NOT be reinstalled. Any insight is appreciated... __________________ 40th Anniversary 'Z', 312.06HP/260.58TQ (Dynosty EcuTek Tune) Build Date/Number: 1/27/2010 #706 Berk HFC + CBE, R2C CAI, Clear Bra, Cleveland Z Club[/COLOR] Last edited by mults; 06-11-2015 at 06:14 AM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Wheel Spacers - please help !	saxx77	Nismo 370Z	32	08-12-2014 06:30 PM
[FOR SALE] 5mm Wheel Spacers $60	jspec11	Parts for sale (Private Classifieds)	8	11-26-2011 11:21 AM
[WTB] H & R wheel spacers...	6MT	Parts for sale (Private Classifieds)	0	08-19-2011 01:48 PM
wheel spacers	black09Z	Wheels & Tires	9	05-19-2011 10:10 AM
wheel spacers help	thispecialk	Wheels & Tires	1	10-18-2010 08:00 PM