Wheel Spacers

Igors92 · May 4, 2007

I’d really like to hear from those of you who have wheel spacers installed. I’ve read the different threads on this subject but I work with an engineer who says that putting spacers on will only cause me problems. He states that by moving the wheel out on the axle more then it was designed for will only increase the load and cause premature failure of the pinion bearings. Is this guy on target with his comments or not? I would like to hear from those of you who have had good and bad experiences from using wheel spacers. Thanks in advance!

GettinThere · May 4, 2007

Igors92 said:
...increase the load and cause premature failure of the pinion bearings...

He probably meant axle bearings.

I've had H&R 25mm spacers on the back wheels since summer 2002 with no problems at all. Did a gear swap at 40k miles and the axle bearings were like new. That said, do spacers increase load or wear on axle bearings? I don't think so, or it may be negligable. I wish I knew.

It might help to think of spacers as an appearance mod and not a performance mod. The better solution (to the dorky tucked-in rear wheel look) would be wider wheels and tires.

I hope you find the answer you're looking for.

ToplessStang · May 4, 2007

I've had my 1 inch H&R spacers on for about 2 years. Been lapping with them and drag raced MANY times. No problems.

The only thing I would suggest is buy a quality brand name set. Here are some before after pics.

BEFORE

AFTER

40th GT · May 4, 2007

Man that's how Mustangs should've came from the factory..

1992 2.3LX · May 5, 2007

It might help to think of spacers as an appearance mod and not a performance mod.

Better traction is not part of performance

StangIt #1 · May 5, 2007

GettinThere said:
He probably meant axle bearings.

I've had my Eibach 25mm (1") hubcentric spacers on the rears for about 1.5 years, and am pretty sure that they have affected/worn the axle bearings. The car only sees about 3K miles, per year, so they probably have 4500 miles on them. I'm getting a nasty metal-on-metal grinding noise coming from the corners (it's not fender well rub). Don't get me wrong...I love the look and the handling characteristics, but I think we may be pulling the axles very soon. Also, if your factory rims don't have the appropriate backspacing, you'll need to cut your factory wheel studs to accommodate the rims.

bullitt 5561 · May 5, 2007

if you get hubcentric spacers like H&R's you should be fine. I've had my 25mm spacers for 2 years and no problems yet. The spacer actually bolts to the hub and then the wheel bolts to the spacer. This should help with what your friend told you about. Ask him or show him a picture of Hubcentric spacers and see what he says. I havent had any issues, except it looks 10x better.

GettinThere · May 5, 2007

1992 2.3LX said:
Better traction is not part of performance

A wider stance does improve performance, but that was not the main reason I bought them in 2002.

StangIt #1 said:
Also, if your factory rims don't have the appropriate backspacing, you'll need to cut your factory wheel studs to accommodate the rims.

I did not have to cut the studs to use the 25mm (1 inch) spacers for my stock bullitt type wheels.

EPIK · May 6, 2007

The spacers definately made your rides look better, but I think every stang should have at least 9 inch wheels in the rear @ the minimum.

mustangman9812 · May 6, 2007

I have had spacers since 03 and have had no problems. They just make the car look 110% better.

StangIt #1 · May 6, 2007

GettinThere said:
I did not have to cut the studs to use the 25mm (1 inch) spacers for my stock bullitt type wheels.

Right...every OEM bullitt rim I've seen does have it! However, the '97-'98, 17" rim option (the 10-spoke) doesn't have any gap on the back side of the rim. Not sure about Mach 1 style, Cobra, etc., though.

GDawg · May 7, 2007

I've had my 25mm H&R spacers for 3-1/2 years with no problems. I had to grind down the lugs to fit with my stock 17" pony wheels.

twogts4us · May 8, 2007

I HAD to add em to my 02 after getting new rims - Torq Thrust IIs, 17X9.5 and 17X11. In the front, the spokes would hit my Cobra brake calipers. I went with Maximum Motorsports 1/2" spacers (non bolt on), but then also added ARP studs, which had to be cut to allow the use of the American Racing acorn lugnuts. It was a bit more adventure than I had planned, but the look is hot.
I don't see any wear issues with using small spacers. I'd expect much more wear on those midget imports with wheels offset into the next friggin lane, lookin like a roller skate.

RoadconeTuning · May 8, 2007

wider wheels FTW!

geoffsgt · May 8, 2007

twogts4us said:
I HAD to add em to my 02 after getting new rims - Torq Thrust IIs, 17X9.5 and 17X11. In the front, the spokes would hit my Cobra brake calipers. I went with Maximum Motorsports 1/2" spacers (non bolt on), but then also added ARP studs, which had to be cut to allow the use of the American Racing acorn lugnuts. It was a bit more adventure than I had planned, but the look is hot.
I don't see any wear issues with using small spacers. I'd expect much more wear on those midget imports with wheels offset into the next friggin lane, lookin like a roller skate.

Damn, bet those 11's look badass. Got pics?

Mustang5L5 · May 8, 2007

Igors92 said:
I’d really like to hear from those of you who have wheel spacers installed. I’ve read the different threads on this subject but I work with an engineer who says that putting spacers on will only cause me problems. He states that by moving the wheel out on the axle more then it was designed for will only increase the load and cause premature failure of the pinion bearings. Is this guy on target with his comments or not? I would like to hear from those of you who have had good and bad experiences from using wheel spacers. Thanks in advance!

Yes and no. His theory is right, however i don't think the extra 1" of leverage will make a significant difference in wear. They put increased stress on the axle bearing.

However, a bigger thing to worry about is stressing the lugs. I always suggest to only use QUALITY hub-centric spacers like Maximum Motorsports and to upgrade to hardened studs on your axle.

twogts4us · May 25, 2007

geoffsgt said:
Damn, bet those 11's look badass. Got pics?

Sorry, been away for a bit - here ya go...

02nightmaregt · Feb 21, 2008

Ok so im about to lower my car with FRPP c-springs, and i have adjustable RLCA's. Im going to be running the 17 inch FR500's 17x9 front and 17x10.5 rears. Would i be able to use a spacer in the rear to make it a little wider or is that just a dumb idea?

GettinThere · Feb 21, 2008

02nightmaregt said:
... Im going to be running the 17 inch FR500's 17x9 front and 17x10.5 rears. Would i be able to use a spacer in the rear to make it a little wider or is that just a dumb idea?

I don't know about a dumb idea, but I can't imagine you needing spacers, unless you want the tire to stick out beyond the fender lip.

02nightmaregt · Feb 29, 2008

I just want it to completely fill out the fender

Wheel Spacers

Igors92

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ToplessStang

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40th GT

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1992 2.3LX

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StangIt #1

bullitt 5561

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GettinThere

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EPIK

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mustangman9812

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That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

twogts4us

02nightmaregt

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To hell with your Mustang, I want to see your HOG!

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