Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications General Mods Wheel Spacers

I was thinking around 10mm, maybe 15mm. I don't think that that is excessive...and as long as the studs are long enough.

I have already had 2 studs break on my 2 front wheels.

Not sure why but I wouldn't suggest putting too much more stress on them as they seem to be weak. Might want to replace them with a strengthened set if thats even possible.

Later

10 or 15 wont work without longer studs. 5mm is the absolute longest I'd go on the stock pieces. I'm also using a lug nut that doesn't have the big bottom flange like the stock one so mine goes farther into the hole and gains back about the same amount of threads that the spacer took. You can barely start the stock lugs with the 5mm spacerr FYI.

Shouldn't happen that often. IIRC, your Spiders are lugcentric, so make sure you torque down the wheel while it's in the air, or just barely touching the ground.

John

You either need to change out the studs for longer ones, or check with someone like H&R, they have spacers that have there own studs!

Just my 2 pennies, here...

H&Rs thicker spacers include their own studs, IIRC, but the thinner ones, like the 5mm, do not.

We had a guy at an autox event last year lose a wheel in one of the turns. Not sure how much damage he did to the brake disc, etc. Anyway, he was using spacers, and I'm not sure he had them on correctly, but the buzz seemed to be that if you use them, you need to take extra care. Longer studs are available, and perhaps not a bad idea.

"Function before fashion."

Definitely!

Yea I was actually surprised they broke. At the same time as well, on two different wheels. It was shortly after I had my tires balanced and rotated. So I went back and complained and had them replace the studs for free.

They didn't like it too much but I think they warped my Front Rotors at the same time. I replaced them so I guess they got off easy. That would have been alot harder to prove I guess.

Needless to say that was the last time I went there or let someone use a air gun to tighten my wheels. Now I always watch them tighten with a torque bar.

Still I didn't think the studs should have broken that quick. I guess they tightened them pretty tight. Or it could have been something else??

can somebody explain to me how these wheel spacers work?

I had some 15mm spacers at one point with longer studs. It did look cooler but it was hell on the rear tires, they would scrape the top of the fender.

On the track it did feel like it did help some, but was a MAJOR PITA trying to mount wheels that were hubcentric. I got to tired of having to check them, torque steer, make sure they were centerd, torque steer, had to check the studs, torque steer, inspect the hub... blah blah blah blah... torque steer

beyondloadedSE - They are just like a giant washer between the hub and the wheel. Gives your car a 'wider stance' supposed to increase handling... Very popular in europe for some reason...

Dave