using washers as spacers ...?

[le_ryan]

its something i've been thinking about for a while now, I found the pefect size washers that i want to use that would give the factory wheels just enough to look good on the car.But people say that its not good, or just dont do it... why not, throwing spacers on is doing just about the same thing isnt it?I dont plan on stacking washers, just one per lug, in between the wheel and the rotor.

Thoughts, opinions, ?

[TOPSECRT88]

I wouldn't do it...i don't know if its safe (I assume it'd be totally unsafe). Not only that, it sounds extra ghetto.

If i were to ever run spacers id get H&R

[leveloneae86]

never thought about it and it sparked my interest. if anybody confirms that this is safe and doable, id be willing to do it on my stock rims to see how it looks until i get the real deal wheels.

[the_momo]

the only real problems are these1. less thread engagement2. center doesnt have as much engagement.

the best spacers are hubcentric and require the use of longer wheel studs. experimenting with the very most important part of what keeps your car safe is very unsafe.

[adrianfromthecastle]

1. less thread engagement

thats my number one concern. also, with spacers, when you push the wheel in, you might not get the full surface area like you would with hubcentric spacers. i mean, when you think about it, these spacers can be very crucial to an accident waiting to happen.

[elvis240sx]

i am currently running 5mm H&R wheel spacers with longer wheel studs. This way i have enough thread engagement. The problem is that the spacers are hubcentric, but not wheel centric. this means that the spacers fits tight onto the hub and does not move around, but that my wheels are no longer on the hub and do not have anything to sit on. I beleive this to be my problem with a wheel shimmy between 55 and 65 mph. I have balanced my tires countless times and checked all of my wheel bearings and tie rod ends. Just something to keep in mind. I mean, I wouldnt give up the 300zx brakes for anything, but the shimmy gets real annoying when cruising down roads at 60mph for long periods of time. BTW, this problem is increased because I have removed my power steering, which can act as a damper in such situations.

[eds13]

i had to use 2mm washers for my wheels to clear the coilovers. i wouldnt use anymore than 2mm. and make sure you measure each one to sure that there all 2mm.

[KDashy]

i had to use 2mm washers for my wheels to clear the coilovers. i wouldnt use anymore than 2mm. and make sure you measure each one to sure that there all 2mm.

Well there you go, you know one person is doing it.

Im running 25mm spacers , hub and wheel centric though. I still had to follow the proper break in procedure, or else you might break a stud.

[rdx4me]

There are so many articles on this site concerning the use of spacers (sandwich or bolt-on) that those of us new to NICO don't know what to believe...

My son has 10mm sandwhich on his 240SXSE to clear the 300ZX brake upgrade and if you look at one post, they are a deadly sin. Another post shows the 10mm spacer to be well within the guidelines. What the hell!!!!

Are there any real "Subject-matter-experts" out there or is this all just a conglomeration of wanna-be racers????

[94_240sx]

I used a bunch of washers when I replaced old studs with Nismo 50mm ones. You know the trick. Hammer out the old studs and use a stack of washers to install new studs. When I torqued down, washers got pressed and deformed really bad. They are not strong enough. You might be alright going slow, but if you go fast, you might have bad vibration. As far as I know, sandwich type spacers are okay up to 10mm with good quality longer studs(Nismo, ARP, Peak Perfomance recommended). If you want thicker than that go with H&R bolt ons. I've waiting on 10mm Ichiba(sponsor) spacers forever. I have 5mm now, but they are not hub centric.

[gnomes321]

Why would you even think of doing this when 5mm sandwich spacers are under 20 bucks? At least they are proven to work safety. Even better get Project Kics bolt on spacers. I run them on my car with Kics hub centric rings and I don't have any problems what so ever. Defintally worth the extra money to have a quailty product that isn't gonna fail.

[CleanSfourteen]

I dont see how this could be a safe idea, if i understand what you are asking...

If you go with this plan i would not be suprised to see you snap a stud or lose a wheel... i would never use anything but a wheel spacer that was designed to do what you are looking for...

I see that someone is already doing it, so i think this is gonna be one of these issues, like torquing lug nuts.... some people take the time, others don't bother-- It's not hard to guess who has less problems...

Personally, on my car..... I'm dishing out the money for the good parts, my wallet is always open to my car; my girlfriend is quite jealous

Good luck either way..

[leveloneae86]

spacers it is.

[~4N~]

People do use washers. It's pretty ghetto, though I guess it works. Don't go over 5 mm.

[cmfireman]

You can use washers if you want, but I wouldn't reccomend it.

The spacers used on vehicles are specially designed, and probably have a much higher shear and tensile strength than a washer. Companies like H&R spend thousands of dollars on research and development, and the washers you will be using arent designed to cope with the load that your car will put on them.

I personally would pony up for a set of hub-centric, bolt-on spacers to be safe. I plan on buying some 10mm H&R's for my Zenki when I get the money.

Just my .02

[skylinekin]

i use 5mm sandwhich spacers to clear my z brakes, I got mine for $15 off ebay.

[tonynalli]

This idea is safe only if you use safe parts. Obviously you wouldn't use aluminum washers, but you could use steel washers. They wont deform when you torqe them down. Then purchase longer wheel studs. If I'm not mistaken, you can get them at any parts store. Use your head when you do it, and don't be a dumb ***, and you should be fine.

[benemorius]

This should clearly be a big no-no to anyone who paid attention in physical science. When you move the wheel out from the hub with washers, you're moving the load on the wheel stud out further than it is supposed to be without supporting it. True spacers move the load also, but resupport it directly behind the wheel as they should. Moving the load out further = multiplying the shearing force on the stud. Multiply the force enough and the stud will certainly break. The only question is how far you can move the wheel until that happens. Don't risk it. I'd call even just 1mm a foolish move. If you are considering this because you can't afford real spacers, give me your damn paypal address. It just isn't worth it.

[CleanSfourteen]

benemorius obviously paid attention in class...

That's my point exactly, things are supposed to be realllly tight in that area. Studs are not something to mess around with, you lose a wheel and you are in serious trouble.

Just think about the wheel leaning in a hard corner...

[neverlift]

vroom just spend the few bucks on actual spacers. I would highly recommend no more then 3~5mmspacer on stock stud,make dame sure you get 7~9full turns of the lug nut!

I've been on some for many a miles,they stopped SOME of the wheel shake at 50~60 from bad tc bushings.

[~4N~]

Good size & offset wheels > spacers.

[R6_240sx]

Good size & offset wheels > spacers.

Nicely said.

And lastly, don't be cheap get good spacers.

[Dattebayo]

Are there any real "Subject-matter-experts" out there or is this all just a conglomeration of wanna-be racers????

No, your pretty much right. In here, its pretty much a mix of 60% idiot ricers, 30% who actually know something, and the rest are asking questions or typing things they "heard" or "think" they know about. All the other NICO forums arent as bad...

[tonynalli]

If you are considering this because you can't afford real spacers, give me your damn paypal address.

[email protected]. Ill take 5mm spacers cause I'm to broke.

[dsc4130]

vroom this is going to sound really bad but adam(boro on driftstl) is runinng two washers on each stud so his tires dont rub is coilovers. its ghetto but it works when your in a pinch. ilke they said just get some bigger studs and buy some ebay spacers. question what do you need them for? you wheels sit flush with the body

[cmfireman]

There are so many articles on this site concerning the use of spacers (sandwich or bolt-on) that those of us new to NICO don't know what to believe...is this all just a conglomeration of wanna-be racers????

I don't wanna be a racer, but I did just pass Physics with a C. I learned about something called shearing, and shear strength. Maybe you should read up on it.

[Kouki Chick]

Good size & offset wheels > spacers.

Stay away from washers....retarded idea...you get the christmas slap from me

[Atown 240]

Well there you go, you know one person is doing it.

Im running 25mm spacers , hub and wheel centric though. I still had to follow the proper break in procedure, or else you might break a stud.

Proper break in for spacers?

[94_240sx]

Proper break in for spacers?

You have to check the torque for lug nuts several times once you install them for some period of time. Because of heat, slight movement...etc. I think that's what he meant.

[94_240sx]

Four 5mm spacers $17.99 shipped. I think it's a good deal and they will work better than washers.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWD1V