wheel spacers, offsets, suspension wear

[iitywygms]

Why not debate your opinion instead of posting silly little face palms?
Is it because you can't debate the facts?

[omgshawn]

Haha, dude, read the last 3 pages, it's the same s*** different wording.

[thomasjamal]

Well I've spent the last hour reading this thread and about 10 others on this subject and, even though I still don't really know what the hell I'm talking about, here's my opinion if you feel like reading it:

Every thread I found came down to the exact same two arguments that are happening here. It seems to me that whether it's spacers or offset wheels, it's the overall distance that determines the stress on the wheel bearings, not how it's achieved. However, it also seems to be true that using spacers as opposed to offset wheels increases the stress on other components such as the wheel studs, which still makes offset wheels the better option.

[PyroTecK]

quick question... how is 10mm+10mm=/=20mm?

[Wretched]

by using a spacer, you put more pressure on the studs themselves...but no real difference in load on the bearings...IMO.

wow, didn't know this went to 3 pages...

[omgshawn]

Well I'm sure we(everyone) can agree that neither one of us(my side vs. your side) will come to an agreement, on this subject..

[PyroTecK]

Well I've spent the last hour reading this thread and about 10 others on this subject and, even though I still don't really know what the hell I'm talking about, here's my opinion if you feel like reading it:

Every thread I found came down to the exact same two arguments that are happening here. It seems to me that whether it's spacers or offset wheels, it's the overall distance that determines the stress on the wheel bearings, not how it's achieved. However, it also seems to be true that using spacers as opposed to offset wheels increases the stress on other components such as the wheel studs, which still makes offset wheels the better option.

agreed... i run 20mm spacers day to day but i wont run that on the track (aside from 5mm that i need for coilover/wheel clearance w/ hubcentric rings) simply because it adds more points of failure... more things that can go wrong.

[omgshawn]

So somehow, it puts more stress on the studs, but not the bearings?

[Wretched]

yes yes...now have a drink.

[iitywygms]

Yes, I agree. Stress can be increased on studs by using spacers.
I will correct something I said in my original first post.
"There is absolutely no difference in the stress applied to the suspension components or wheel bearings"

Saying suspension components was wrong, and I admit that. The wheel studs are part of the suspension components.
I still say that the load on the wheel bearing does not change assuming equal offsets are obtained using a spacer or offset rim. Which is why I created this thread in the first place.
We should all meet for a beer later. good lord.

[Wretched]

well, yeah...unless you have supporting lug studs, using a spacer on stock studs is going to put a strain on them. as in causing them to snap, not pulling harder (ie, using a 20mm spacer on stock studs and only being able to see a few threads of the stud)

[iitywygms]

Well I'm sure we(everyone) can agree that neither one of us(my side vs. your side) will come to an agreement, on this subject..

True. But I bet we all agree that running spacers sucks as opposed to using correct rims.
And I use spacers.

[FolkertSX]

^ so is using spacers with new studs not putting extra stress on your original studs?

[Wretched]

the original studs...that are sitting in the trash?

[omgshawn]

I will agree with that. So Wretched, what supports the hub again? The bearings. If it puts more strain on the studs then it's doing the same for the bearings.

[Wretched]

but it's putting more strain on the end of the studs because you're trying to hold a wheel on with 3 or 4 threads...with supporting studs, all is well.

[PyroTecK]

indeed. when using a slip on spacer it is important to also use extended studs. also the hub its what is supposed to hold take the stress of the wheel (hubcentric) the studs/nuts are just there to hold them together, so to speak.

[Wretched]

indeed. when using a slip on spacer it is important to also use extended studs. also the hub its what is supposed to hold take the stress of the wheel (hubcentric) the studs/nuts are just there to hold them together, so to speak.

with that said, it really doesn't matter then what's bolted to the hub...or where...or with what. any additional strain a spacer would put on a bearing is only because the added weight being attached to the hub...not the fact that it lowers the wheel offset.

[mattblancarte]

This thread is ridiculous. Why is everyone so concerned with adding a small amount of stress to their wheel bearings?

Are we going to start recommending the skinniest and least-sticky compound tires to everyone, too?

Spacers are fine, just make sure to torque everything down properly. Don't forget to check torque before/after hard driving or track events, too.

[Wretched]

[PyroTecK]

[scotty-2-forty]

This thread, while interestingly enough entertaining, is in fact ridiculous. If you want to prove wear on your bearing, get a 6' pole, weld it to your hub and wheel and drive around town. Not only will you prove that you're an idiot, but you might learn something. It is a commonly known fact that wheel spacers have caused excessive bearing wear; however, each situation is different when you factor in the enormous missing factors. That being said, I have used spacers on quite a few vehicles (out of 40+ that I've owned over the years), and not one had a problem with hub bearing wear. I'm going to quote myself here in that (see bold) ...

Oh for crapsake, before this turns into a reinvention of the wheel (pun, yes pun), and without charts, graphs and pictures of puppies and unicorns ......... The amount of additional bearing load wear will depend on the width of the spacer and just how far it pushes out the point of wheel's fixity. Honestly, unless you've got some insanely wide spacers and ridiculous postitive offset, premature bearing wear is negligible.

Why God, why? Why does this site constantly force me to think?! WHY?!!

What is the big deal here? I can't see anyone running a 240 with any sense of mind (and I use that statement loosly) using a spacer that is going to cause any relevant issue. Get over it, pack it up, move on and leave the town of Yerong Imrite.

So nobody appreciates good humor anymore, eh? .... "puppies and unicorns" ... HA! I kill me!

[Ender_Zero]

Hey Scotty, its really not about how much more wear is put on the bearing. For those min/maxer type guys out there that are always looking for the most efficient setup, or the most reliable, or the most powerful, its actually finding that information and stowing it away. When someone says that your hubs will wear out 5% sooner due to a spacer, but not because of a change in offset, the min/maxer in me wants to sleuth out exactly why that would be, or the veracity of the comment.

I don't think this thread is stupid, I like seeing an argument like this. It puts minds into action, and thats fun.


All that being said, Pyro are you in OP and I's camp now?

"yeah... im thinking that, all things being equal, its the distance from the hub (or bearings) to the centerline of the tires contact patch that makes a difference in the stress load, regardless of how that distance is acheived."

Huzzah!

[scotty-2-forty]

Hey Scotty, its really not about how much more wear is put on the bearing. For those min/maxer type guys out there that are always looking for the most efficient setup, or the most reliable, or the most powerful, its actually finding that information and stowing it away. When someone says that your hubs will wear out 5% sooner due to a spacer, but not because of a change in offset, the min/maxer in me wants to sleuth out exactly why that would be, or the veracity of the comment.

I don't think this thread is stupid, I like seeing an argument like this. It puts minds into action, and thats fun.


All that being said, Pyro are you in OP and I's camp now?

"yeah... im thinking that, all things being equal, its the distance from the hub (or bearings) to the centerline of the tires contact patch that makes a difference in the stress load, regardless of how that distance is acheived."

Huzzah!

Hmmmmm, me thinks me getz yer point. But like I implied already, I'm not in the mood to keep thinking about this as the facts are already in ... have been for decades. And this thread is "ridiculous", I did not say "stupid" ... Ridiculous in the sense that it deserves ridicule, not that it's pointless or worthless ... and it's MY opinion only. I mean really, like I said already as well, this is like reinventing the wheel.

[Wretched]

just to keep this going , scotty...get an 8" wheel that has a -1828mm offset (6' as you stated, lol), and see how long your bearings last.

[scotty-2-forty]

just to keep this going , scotty...get an 8" wheel that has a -1828mm offset (6' as you stated, lol), and see how long your bearings last.

... Finally, someone who gets the humor of it all!

[hatedinthemind]

^ so is using spacers with new studs not putting extra stress on your original studs?

the original studs...that are sitting in the trash?

I think he means these

[FolkertSX]

^yea i was. Those are the type i ordered. So basically i should check the new studs every couple weeks to see if theyre loose?

[confused9]

i can't believe this has gone on for three pages..

[hatedinthemind]

^yea i was. Those are the type i ordered. So basically i should check the new studs every couple weeks to see if theyre loose?

I would. Also you might have to cut done your original studs depending on the size you got