Thoughts on Wheel Spacers?

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Supercharged111

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Oct 25, 2019
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The main thing to avoid would be any cast aluminum universal slip on type of spacer.

Which is what I run with no issues. I think the extended ARP studs are the key there though.
 
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bracketchev1221

Royal Smart Person
Jan 18, 2018
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Which is what I run with no issues. I think the extended ARP studs are the key there though.
I use them too. I put silicone on the back to hold them as centered as I can on the drum. Let it tack up and then put the wheel on. I went 10.30’s at 130 with them on my race car. My dad went 9.60’s with them on his, and I have used them on the rear of both my nova and Malibu.
 
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motorheadmike

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Nov 18, 2009
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Which is what I run with no issues. I think the extended ARP studs are the key there though.

I have a set of four 2" bolt-on units in my Amazon cart for the Mrs'. Camaro. I don't think I can get 4" long studs. ;)

But, both the TBSS and wagon have long studs. The HellKitty uses ET lugs to make up the difference.
 
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pontiacgp

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Mar 31, 2006
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All the hub centric part does is reduce runout (wheel shake) and makes bolting the wheel on easier. Once the wheel is torqued on the clamp load of the studs holds the wheel and no load is supported by the hub. If your lugs loosen the hub isn't going to help.


" Automotive applications usually use the hub centric design because the support and centering of the wheel better resists impact loads from being used on typical roads. Other low-speed and low-impact applications use lug-centric designs which are less costly and strong enough for these applications. Golf carts, for example, often use lug-centric designs. "

" A problem arises when using a lug-centric wheel on a vehicle and suspension that was originally a hub-centric design. Without the hub’s support, road impacts can deform lugs enough to where the wheel is no longer concentric with the hub, leading to vibrations. This can reduce the clamping force of the wheel to the hub. Road loading conditions can then move the wheel around on the hub, as can be seen by the worn holes in the image below of a lug-centric wheel used on a hub-centric vehicle. "

 

81cutlass

Comic Book Super Hero
Feb 16, 2009
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" Automotive applications usually use the hub centric design because the support and centering of the wheel better resists impact loads from being used on typical roads. Other low-speed and low-impact applications use lug-centric designs which are less costly and strong enough for these applications. Golf carts, for example, often use lug-centric designs. "

" A problem arises when using a lug-centric wheel on a vehicle and suspension that was originally a hub-centric design. Without the hub’s support, road impacts can deform lugs enough to where the wheel is no longer concentric with the hub, leading to vibrations. This can reduce the clamping force of the wheel to the hub. Road loading conditions can then move the wheel around on the hub, as can be seen by the worn holes in the image below of a lug-centric wheel used on a hub-centric vehicle. "


I understand the concept and fully agree but I've never seen a wheel that has had a tight enough hub fit where I could see the hub supporting the load.

If the wheel was a slip fit or light press fit into the hub absolutely it would support the load, but usually there is like 0.030" roughly between the wheel and hub so it doesn't corrode solid on. Any impact load is going to go into the clamp load and not into the hub since I've always seen that gap.
 
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Oct 14, 2008
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Ordered a 4 pc set of the link I posted. At least these supposedly ship from the US, not Hong Kong or Taiwan, we will see. I figure my current studs will work fine with these only being 3/4" thick. It should give similar if not slightly better back spacing then the factory aluminum rims.
 
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pontiacgp

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Mar 31, 2006
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I understand the concept and fully agree but I've never seen a wheel that has had a tight enough hub fit where I could see the hub supporting the load.

If the wheel was a slip fit or light press fit into the hub absolutely it would support the load, but usually there is like 0.030" roughly between the wheel and hub so it doesn't corrode solid on. Any impact load is going to go into the clamp load and not into the hub since I've always seen that gap.

don't argue with me, argue with the engineer that wrote the article. Personally, since the design of the wheels on a G body are hubcentric I use wheels that conform to the design and use antiseize so there is no corrosion to interfere removing the wheel from the hub. On our circle track G body cars we didn't use hubcebtric wheels but we used 5/8" studs

I'm not sure what your qualifications are but here are the author's

 

81cutlass

Comic Book Super Hero
Feb 16, 2009
4,639
13,542
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Western MN
don't argue with me, argue with the engineer that wrote the article. Personally, since the design of the wheels on a G body are hubcentric I use wheels that conform to the design and use antiseize so there is no corrosion to interfere removing the wheel from the hub. On our circle track G body cars we didn't use hubcebtric wheels but we used 5/8" studs

I'm not sure what your qualifications are but here are the author's


Yeah I'm the engineer arguing with the engineer that wrote the article. :)

I would say in theory he is right I've just never seen an application on a car where I see it actually helping.
 
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