Thoughts on Wheel Spacers?

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Oct 14, 2008
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I currently have rims that rub on the front of my 88, sit too far inboard. I may also use them to space out the rear rims on my 70 Cutlass S if I put back on the 14" aluminum rims. What do you think about these?

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07W5DZ6NS/?tag=rippca-20
 
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Hoopty_Mike

Greasemonkey
Aug 5, 2012
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CT
They're absolutely fine when everything is cleaned and torqued properly, When I was doing the drifting thing I had the privilege of watching some very high power cars eat walls with 2"+ bolt on spacers. I never saw a spacer break.

The only thing you might run into is possibly have to shorten your studs a little if the wheels you have don't have any relief area. Other than that, bolt them on and enjoy.
 
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MontesbyE

Greasemonkey
Sep 12, 2020
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North Carolina
I currently have rims that rub on the front of my 88, sit too far inboard. I may also use them to space out the rear rims on my 70 Cutlass S if I put back on the 14" aluminum rims. What do you think about these?

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07W5DZ6NS/?tag=rippca-20
I have 1/4'' spacers all around on my monte. no problems with them. I needed them to push the rim out due to shallow center cap that kept getting popped out by the hub. They are just thick enough to do the job, just a flat plate to put in there. Didn't mess with the lugs at all.
 

motorheadmike

Geezer
Nov 18, 2009
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I put those things on everything. The wagon has spacers/adapters (came with the Ronal R15s), the HellKitty has adapters turned into spacers, the Monte has spacers, the TBSS has adapters turned spacers, and Natasha's Camaro is going to end up with a set too.

I prefer to use long studs over the additional failure points offered by the extra studs. This is a totally subjective opinion.

And always hub-centric.
 
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64nailhead

Goat Herder
Dec 1, 2014
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Spacers are fine. No issues at well over 600whp and none are hub centric. I would say hub centric would be better, but not needed.
 
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81cutlass

Comic Book Super Hero
Feb 16, 2009
4,639
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Western MN
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.

However, I would 100% look for hub centric ones. It makes alignment so much easier.

If you go to the wider (1" or more) style, they will offset the studs and you have to tighten two sets of lugs. On those it's best to put them on, drive for 10-30 miles, and get some heat in the brakes and then pull the wheels off and retorque the lugs holding the spacer to the spindle/axle.
 
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motorheadmike

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Nov 18, 2009
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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.

However, I would 100% look for hub centric ones. It makes alignment so much easier.

If you go to the wider (1" or more) style, they will offset the studs and you have to tighten two sets of lugs. On those it's best to put them on, drive for 10-30 miles, and get some heat in the brakes and then pull the wheels off and retorque the lugs holding the spacer to the spindle/axle.

My brother is 3D printing hubcentric rings for just this reason. If the plastic melts... so be it.

 
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Oct 14, 2008
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If you guys who drive like maniacs have no issues, I should be fine, I may do all 4.
 
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565bbchevy

Geezer
Aug 8, 2011
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The main thing to avoid would be any cast aluminum universal slip on type of spacer.
 
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