Wheel Spacers

[telsun]

I'd like to do something about the original CDX alloy wheel set up on my car. I'm thinking about getting em refurbed so that they're all nice and shiney and fitting some wheel spacers so that they appear to fill out the arches a little better but retain the original look.

Whats your opinion of wheel spacers?

[Penfold]

I've used them in the past on an 850cc Mini but that wasn't putting a lot of power through them.

Generally they do more damage than good and you end up changing parts prematurely.

You need to make sure that the bolts holding the wheels and spaces on are checked more regularly and that the threads in the hub are not worn. This is because you will be increasing the leverage of the weight of the roadwheel, tyre and any road vibration through these bolts.

In turn the additonal leverage will speed up the wear & tear on the steering components. your track rod ends and steering rack joints will take a harder pounding. The steering pump will have to work harder.

There will be a larger force applied to the suspension strut which will want to tip the upper mounting towards the middle of the engine bay thereby increasing the twist on the chassis when cornering. Depending on the width of the spacer you might need to consider a strengthening bar between the turrets.

If it is for looks rather than performance and you don't do much mileage then go for it. If you want to chuck it about a bit then you would be better off and much safer to buy new, wider rims with the same offset as the current ones. (providing they fit your arch and don't catch on your suspenders :) )

[telsun]

Thanks for that. I seem to recall my old man telling me that spacers are not a good thing and it appears that perhaps he was right. I've decided to replace my alloys instead. I'm looking to fit 16"alloys from the celica, the 6 spoke ones rather than the common 5 spoke.

Thanks again for the advice.