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Author Topic: Wheel spacers  (Read 3866 times)

Offline Snooze

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Wheel spacers
« on: 25 March 2016, 19:26 »
I was about to order a set of these: https://www.ecstuning.com/News/VW_MKVII_GTI_ECS_Flush_Kit_2015/ES2779804/

But then I read the disadvantages:
1. Increased steering e ort.
2. Accelerated tire wear.
3. Increased steering sensitivity to road shock.
4. Di erences in traction on opposing sides.
5. Increased bearing wear.
6. Increased wear on ball joints, tie rod ends, and suspension bushings.
7. Fender clearance issues can arise.
8. Inner fender clearance issues can arise.

I'd be very interested to hear your views on spacers and as to whether or not they are worth the hassle? Cheers
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Offline Beddie

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Re: Wheel spacers
« Reply #1 on: 25 March 2016, 22:08 »
I've used H&R hubcentric spacers (10 and 15mm rear and 10mm fronts) on my last 5 cars for hundreds of thousand miles both on road and track without any issues  :smiley:

Use of a quality brand and hubcentric version is paramount imo, running a 10mm spacer for example is no different than using aftermarket or OE wheels with an increase in offset of 10mm and most people wouldn't give that a second thought...
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Offline Mk7-GTD

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Re: Wheel spacers
« Reply #2 on: 26 March 2016, 10:08 »
Quote from: Beddie on 25 March 2016, 22:08
I've used H&R hubcentric spacers (10 and 15mm rear and 10mm fronts) on my last 5 cars for hundreds of thousand miles both on road and track without any issues  :smiley:

Use of a quality brand and hubcentric version is paramount imo, running a 10mm spacer for example is no different than using aftermarket or OE wheels with an increase in offset of 10mm and most people wouldn't give that a second thought...

Same here, I even used a set of 20mm(per side) bolt on H&R spacers on all 3 of my R32's with no problems.
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Offline p3asa

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Re: Wheel spacers
« Reply #3 on: 26 March 2016, 10:59 »
Quote from: Beddie on 25 March 2016, 22:08
running a 10mm spacer for example is no different than using aftermarket or OE wheels with an increase in offset of 10mm and most people wouldn't give that a second thought...


You would be using the same length bolts though using after market wheels with a different offset.
Putting a spacer in increases the distance from the hub to the face of the bolt hole. The offset would increase (or pedantically decrease) and this must create a different pressure around the hub area due to the force on the bolts rather than just changing to after market wheels?

I'm just thinking out aloud and don't know for sure but just relating it to simple physics  :undecided:
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Offline Exonian

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Re: Wheel spacers
« Reply #4 on: 26 March 2016, 12:07 »
I've run spacers on a few cars including my R.
It's always in the back of my mind that there are more 'joins' in the hub area and therefore stresses as Steve says but (touch wood) I've not yet had a bolt snap. That's not to say I don't know people who have had this happen!!
As Beddie says, buy high quality TUV approved spacers and you're minimising the risk of failures.
Mk7's do look dramatically better running sensibly sized spacers.
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Offline Snooze

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Re: Wheel spacers
« Reply #5 on: 26 March 2016, 18:41 »
Thanks guys, but is 15mm and 20mm front and rear respectively too much?
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Offline Exonian

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Re: Wheel spacers
« Reply #6 on: 26 March 2016, 19:34 »
I think the ECS Flush Kits are 15 and 20mm.
I ran 12 and 16mm.
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Offline Snooze

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Re: Wheel spacers
« Reply #7 on: 26 March 2016, 21:37 »
Quote from: Exonian on 26 March 2016, 19:34
I think the ECS Flush Kits are 15 and 20mm.
I ran 12 and 16mm.

That's right. Was gonna get the ECS flush kit, but bit worried 15/20mm will cause too much wear and tear. Thinking maybe 10/15mm would be more sensible and achieve a similar look?
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Offline Exonian

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Re: Wheel spacers
« Reply #8 on: 26 March 2016, 22:48 »
I'd go with 10 & 15 myself (or thereabouts). In fact I did!
I currently run 8x19 wheels with a 41 offset which is like 14mm spacers all round.
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