Any downside to getting wheel spacers ?

[ninsei]

Thinking of getting wheel spacers. mostly for looks, but also i imagine for slightly better handling.

[windowguy]

I put ECS spacers on my 2012 S4 and like the look much better than stock. Don't get the flush kit that they have, get the same all around the smaller spacers. The smaller spacers don't center your rims and then you get vibrations.

Also get the longer wheel bolts.

Rob.


Sent from my SM-N920W8 using Tapatalk

[ninsei]

makes sense. what size spacers did you get?

[Victor Newman]

Better handling?

[Pared]

Vibrations when they aren't installed right. Issues getting them off when they've been on there a while and get stuck on the rotor.

[superswiss]

Better handling?

Spacers widen the car's track which can bring handling benefits with it. A wider track increase lateral grip. It also makes the springs feel weaker, because you are using a longer lever. A wider track in the front for example softens the front suspension, reducing understeer. A wider track also lowers the car's roll center and reduces load transfer to the outside, which improves cornering power.

Spacers also increase the front scrub radius, which can increase steering effort and affect feedback. This could be a plus or minus depending on where you stand.

It also matters how much you widen the rear track in relation to the front track. If you proportion them wrong, it could lead to strange handling traits.

[whiped]

Biggest one I can think of is that a drop will quickly follow.

[Acejam]

No downsides. Just make sure if you get an ECS kit, you get their "aggressive" one. Don't go under 10mm or else you'll get vibrations.

I made a video a couple months ago that explains and shows why the normal 8mm spacers don't work properly.

[SDBolts]

The only downside I can think of is that spacers put additional stress on your wheel bearings and could cause them to fail sooner than otherwise.

[rubicant5x]

The only downside I can think of is that spacers put additional stress on your wheel bearings and could cause them to fail sooner than otherwise.

+1

In addition, all the comments about the front spacers in the Flush Kit from ECS, I got wheel studs and there was no issue at all with front wheel vibrations.

[LYKUNO]

The topic has been previously covered here on AZ. This thread discusses the pros and cons of using them, and there are additional links within the thread that may be of interest to you.

[RyanJon]

I put some 10mm spacers on the rear of mine with standard 19" wheel/tyre setup, H&R sport springs so not a silly drop and my rear wheels now catch pretty badly!

Be careful what you go for as what works for 1 doesn't seem to work for another!

[Acejam]

I put some 10mm spacers on the rear of mine with standard 19" wheel/tyre setup, H&R sport springs so not a silly drop and my rear wheels now catch pretty badly!

Be careful what you go for as what works for 1 doesn't seem to work for another!

It's pretty well known that the H&R Sport (and Super Sport) springs will rub with spacers on the stock 19" tire/wheel sizes combination. The H&R OE Sport springs however do not rub.

[RyanJon]

It's pretty well known that the H&R Sport (and Super Sport) springs will rub with spacers on the stock 19" tire/wheel sizes combination. The H&R OE Sport springs however do not rub.

10mm spacers and stock suspension will rub if you hit a big enough bump in the road to compress your suspension enough

[Rez90]

Nope.

[vaa4]

Spacers are changing suspension geometry, putting it outside of factory spec, unless, of course, the rims and tires are not stock spec and they're used to compensate for it.
I noticed OEMs are targeting the same spot for the outer edge of the tire when selecting different tire/rim options by adjusting the wheel offset. I was expecting them to be going for the center of the tire, but they're not.
In other words, if the tire is 20mm wider, the offset change will be -20mm as well, not -10mm.
Spacers work in exact opposite way.

[superswiss]

Spacers are changing suspension geometry, putting it outside of factory spec, unless, of course, the rims and tires are not stock spec and they're used to compensate for it.
I noticed OEMs are targeting the same spot for the outer edge of the tire when selecting different tire/rim options by adjusting the wheel offset. I was expecting them to be going for the center of the tire, but they're not.
In other words, if the tire is 20mm wider, the offset change will be -20mm as well, not -10mm.
Spacers work in exact opposite way.

Yes the suspension geometry changes and that can have positive effects, however the main reason for your observation are regulations that require car manufacturers to leave a gap to safely mount chains. That's the main reason why wheels on production cars are tucked in. Aftermarket wheels change suspension geometry, too, unless they are the same size and offset as the OEM wheels.

Another downside of the wheels sticking out more is that they can throw up dirt and debris that can hit the side of your car.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[14S4GWM]

It's pretty well known that the H&R Sport (and Super Sport) springs will rub with spacers on the stock 19" tire/wheel sizes combination. The H&R OE Sport springs however do not rub.

I hope your right, im running 12mm on the OE springs and bilstein B8 and I rub on some dips. It looks like to me 10mm is going to work either. Either way I'm in the market for a set of 10mm.

[Acejam]

I hope your right, im running 12mm on the OE springs and bilstein B8 and I rub on some dips. It looks like to me 10mm is going to work either. Either way I'm in the market for a set of 10mm.

What tire brand and model are you running? My post was directed towards an entirely factory 19" setup in terms of wheel/tire fitment and tire brand/model - perhaps I should've been more clear. (19x8.5 +43 Peelers or Rotors with 255/35/19 Continental ContiSportContact 3's)

If you're running Michelin PSS's like I am, even in the same size of 255/35/19, they are known to be noticeably wider than the factory Continentals. Perhaps this is the issue you're running into.

I am running the ECS 10mm / 12.5mm setup myself but I'm on stock springs currently and I have Adaptive Suspension. I am thinking about giving the H&R OE's or the KW HAS kit a try.

[14S4GWM]

^ Im running Conti DWS06. I hope 10's fix it, the rubbing is coming down pretty far on my side wall.

[Acejam]

^ Im running Conti DWS06. I hope 10's fix it, the rubbing is coming down pretty far on my side wall.

Yikes! I know there are also a few members here who've noticed their car's dimensions in the rear are a bit out of whack - something to do with the positioning of the subframe from the factory. SteveYem comes to mind as he is one of them. I believe he ended up running 5mm on one side and 10mm on the other just to compensate and make things fit without rubbing.