POLL : Are spacers safe?

[tc1959]

I know there many opinions out there on this subject. I just wonder with all the hundreds of wheel choices out there that will fit on our cars why bother messing with spacers at all. Personally I wouldn't want them on a daily driver. But that's just me .
Why risk the chance that something will break and damage your car. :?

 

[pontiacgp]

I know there many opinions out there on this subject. I just wonder with all the hundreds of wheel choices out there that will fit on our cars why bother messing with spacers at all. Personally I wouldn't want them on a daily driver. But that's just me .
Why risk the chance that something will break and damage your car. :?

It's not just you, I have the same opinion

 

[565bbchevy]

I personally have never ran spacers and choose not too, I have always bought rims based on measuring,test fitting and research.
I think if you choose to run a spacer then upgrading to new stronger and possibly longer studs (if required) would be a wise investment.
If you just need a spacer to fix a slight rubbing issue then there would probably be no problem with that as long as it is a quality spacer (not cast aluminum) and you have enough thread engagement.
I don't think the issue of spacers "when installed properly with minimal spacing" is a problem I think the real problem is when people just go ahead a buy some rims because they look cool or something without the slightest bit of research and then try to fit them on a gbody when they have 6" of backspace or the wrong bolt pattern, etc.
If you want a rim that fits your car take measurements and check clearances based on what you already have and look for something within that range.
Just because you can bolt something on your car doesn't mean it fits.

 

[L92 OLDS]

I know there many opinions out there on this subject. I just wonder with all the hundreds of wheel choices out there that will fit on our cars why bother messing with spacers at all. Personally I wouldn't want them on a daily driver. But that's just me .
Why risk the chance that something will break and damage your car. :?

I think the aversion to spacers is because most people don't truly understand the physics, failure modes and risk. I understand your opinion but need to stick with the factory 442 rims on the car because in my opnion, Oldsmobile got it right and nothing looks better.

 

[jrm81bu]

I know there many opinions out there on this subject. I just wonder with all the hundreds of wheel choices out there that will fit on our cars why bother messing with spacers at all. Personally I wouldn't want them on a daily driver. But that's just me .
Why risk the chance that something will break and damage your car. :?

It's not just you, I have the same opinion

Simple answer, the rims I wanted are not available with the correct backspacing.

I personally have never ran spacers and choose not too, I have always bought rims based on measuring,test fitting and research. I think the real problem is when people just go ahead a buy some rims because they look cool or something without the slightest bit of research and then try to fit them on a gbody when they have 6" of backspace or the wrong bolt pattern, etc.
If you want a rim that fits your car take measurements and check clearances based on what you already have and look for something within that range.
Just because you can bolt something on your car doesn't mean it fits.

Judging by everything you have done to your car, you should really be able to understand. Sometimes what you want and what exists are not the same. I'm 100% sure you didn't just by and bolt on everything on your car.

All that said, I don't think spacers are a major problem. I believe that NHRA will allow a spacer under a given thickness, on their tracks. Some of you may know, I beat on my car a lot. I've ran CAST spacers(albeit reluctantly) and never had a problem. It did take me awhile to even begin to trust them and no I never fully did. Now I have billet spacers but they are still not hub-centric but I rarely have any concerns about them. Just my two cents.

 

[565bbchevy]

quote: jrm81bu
"Simple answer, the rims I wanted are not available with the correct backspacing.
Judging by everything you have done to your car, you should really be able to understand. Sometimes what you want and what exists are not the same. I'm 100% sure you didn't just by and bolt on everything on your car."
It did take me awhile to even begin to trust them and no I never fully did."


Well, I first bought Weld Alumastars for my car and those were the rims I wanted but the front 4" rims have the bolts that hold the rim together mounted reverse with the heads on the inside of the rim and they would not clear my calipers.
Dilemma: Run spacers to clear the calipers or find a rim that does. I now have Convo Pros so the choice I made was for peace of mind.
I also beat the crap out of my car and hit fast speeds quickly and I just didn't feel I could have something on my car that was even the slightest bit questionable and can't 100% trust.
As I stated earlier they are probably safe at minimal thickness and proper thread engagement.
I just decided I'm not going to be the guy that proves spacers are not safe.

 

[CWPottenger]

Any particular brand spacer to look for? Aluminum vs. steel? ARP studs can be purchased from Summit.

Thanks

Not a brand, but material. I have always run billet aluminum. Steel is fine for thin spacers, but I would not go over 1/2" in anything but Billet Aluminum. Cast inherently will always have flaws.

 

[pontiacgp]

quote: jrm81bu
"Simple answer, the rims I wanted are not available with the correct backspacing.
Judging by everything you have done to your car, you should really be able to understand. Sometimes what you want and what exists are not the same. I'm 100% sure you didn't just by and bolt on everything on your car."
It did take me awhile to even begin to trust them and no I never fully did."


Well, I first bought Weld Alumastars for my car and those were the rims I wanted but the front 4" rims have the bolts that hold the rim together mounted reverse with the heads on the inside of the rim and they would not clear my calipers.
Dilemma: Run spacers to clear the calipers or find a rim that does. I now have Convo Pros so the choice I made was for peace of mind.
I also beat the crap out of my car and hit fast speeds quickly and I just didn't feel I could have something on my car that was even the slightest bit questionable and can't 100% trust.
As I stated earlier they are probably safe at minimal thickness and proper thread engagement.
I just decided I'm not going to be the guy that proves spacers are not safe.

I chose the rear that would give me the width I wanted and the look I wanted with a 4.5" backspace. I arranged it so it's a common backspace so finding wheels will not be an issue. Anubis is using a 1/4" spacer which I think is what some F bodies used so I don't see any issue with that. He needs the spacer to clear something with his rear disk brakes and I believe the wheel center will still be supported by the axle. The OEM wheels he is using do not come in any other backspacing as far as I know.

That being said if thick spacers were safe then why would GM spend their money on making wheels for the GTA with different backspacing front to back. It would have been much cheaper just to throw on some shims.

 

[CWPottenger]

I know there many opinions out there on this subject. I just wonder with all the hundreds of wheel choices out there that will fit on our cars why bother messing with spacers at all. Personally I wouldn't want them on a daily driver. But that's just me .
Why risk the chance that something will break and damage your car. :?

Simple reason is the rim of choice is not made in the option you want or is a discontinued wheel that is no longer made anymore.


For me I run spacers on my rims for a couple simple reasons. 1st my car isn't stock so a rim built for a Gbody will not work any more. I have a Vette C4 rear end which allows me to run a lot deeper rim and must be a 16" rim(not all 16's will fit) or larger to clear brakes and hub assembly. I have 17x11 Gotti rims with 7.5" of BS. These rims are rare to start with and no longer made. It took me 4 years to find a set that was the correct size. The tires were already on the rims when I bought rims. The 335 35 17 Potenza's without the spacer(3/8") rub the frame. When I wear these tires out I will replace with 315 35 17 and then won't need the spacers.

I have to run spacers on the front because the Gbody steering setup I rub the A-arm without spacer. I am looking for narrower inner barrels so i can make my front rims narrower with less bs.

My Regal is not a DD, I would not spend the $$$ and time on my car like I have if it was a DD, but that is me. To add to that I looked for a rim made currently and honestly there isn't a single rim on the market that I liked or wasn't so over used.

Cars come from the factory with spacers and rim mfg's also sell rims with specific spacers designed to work with their rims

 

[pontiacgp]

I know there many opinions out there on this subject. I just wonder with all the hundreds of wheel choices out there that will fit on our cars why bother messing with spacers at all. Personally I wouldn't want them on a daily driver. But that's just me .
Why risk the chance that something will break and damage your car. :?

Simple reason is the rim of choice is not made in the option you want or is a discontinued wheel that is no longer made anymore.


For me I run spacers on my rims for a couple simple reasons. 1st my car isn't stock so a rim built for a Gbody will not work any more. I have a Vette C4 rear end which allows me to run a lot deeper rim and must be a 16" rim(not all 16's will fit) or larger to clear brakes and hub assembly. I have 17x11 Gotti rims with 7.5" of BS. These rims are rare to start with and no longer made. It took me 4 years to find a set that was the correct size. The tires were already on the rims when I bought rims. The 335 35 17 Potenza's without the spacer(3/8") rub the frame. When I wear these tires out I will replace with 315 35 17 and then won't need the spacers.

I have to run spacers on the front because the Gbody steering setup I rub the A-arm without spacer. I am looking for narrower inner barrels so i can make my front rims narrower with less bs.

My Regal is not a DD, I would not spend the $$$ and time on my car like I have if it was a DD, but that is me. To add to that I looked for a rim made currently and honestly there isn't a single rim on the market that I liked or wasn't so over used.

Cars come from the factory with spacers and rim mfg's also sell rims with specific spacers designed to work with their rims

If I can't get the style of wheels I like to fit the car properly then I don't get them. I never compromise safety for apperance