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Spacers recomendadtions??

1K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  gaznav 
#1 ·
Im thinking about getting some spacers fitted to my 2004 318ti as it makes the stance of the car look alot better but I'm not sure what sizes to get as I dont want the wheels to rub on the arches.
Anyone done this??
Any recomendations??
Cheers :D :thumbsup
 
#3 ·
Depending on which you get:

eBay cheapo ones - they will totally mess up the bearings as most of the cheap ones weigh a ton!!

Personally I would go for Eibach or H&R? Lightweight :)

What you want to do is measure the wheel to arch clearance - then less about 5mm and go for the closest by rounding the number down.

Anything from 20mm up will be a bolt the spacer to the hub and bolt the wheel to the spacer kit.
Anything below usually needs longer bolts which will end up costing more.

Also keep in mind if you are going to lower the car for wheel arch liner clearance as they can stick out inside the arch a little further.

Hope this helps
 
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#5 ·
Depending on which you get:

eBay - they will totally mess up the bearings as most of the cheap ones weigh a ton!!

Personally I would go for Eibach or H&R?

What you want to do is measure the wheel to arch clearance - then less about 5mm and go for the closest by rounding the number down.

Anything from 20mm up will be a bolt the spacer to the hub and bolt the wheel to the spacer kit.
Anything below usually needs longer bolts which will end up costing more.

Also keep in mind if you are going to lower the car for wheel arch liner clearance as they can stick out inside the arch a little further.

Hope this helps
The bolt on versions are safer but still create balance issues and the thickness of these will take the wheel outside of a fitment offset for your car:thumbsup
 
#4 ·
Wheel spacers should be avoided unless absolutely required and even then a specialist should carry out the work as you need to ensure that you have the correct amount of turns on the bolt thread. You may need longer bolts.

Normally a 3mm or 5mm spacer will suffice but spacers can add to balance issues and in all honesty are a PITA:frown

I have known of garages not refitting them on one side, heard of wheels falling off due to improper fitting and balance issues.

My advice is find a wheel that fits how you intend the stance to look:thumbsup
 
#6 ·
I prefer the bolt on versions too, Any spacer will cause an issue over time but using very heavy ones will just make the process a whole lot faster! ha!

All depends on wheels and off set too ;) :D
 
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#7 ·
Cheers everyone :thumbsup
I think i'll leave it lol, its just that im a member on 350z-uk.com (dad has one) and its one of the main things they all seem to do and no one seemes to have any problems.
Ohh well :)
 
#8 ·
A wheel spacer will not knacker the wheel bearings early - this an old wife's tale! Driving your car hard around corners will accomplish this nicely for you though :jaw-dropping

Think about it: If this was the case then fitting wider rims would do the same as well - the alloy-wheel hub is the extension to the axle-hub instead of a spacer!

Wise words on bolt-on spacers (must be hubcentric) and my top tip is to ensure that you bolt it to the hub to 110Nm (80ftlbs) torque as well; as well as your wheels to the spacers. Otherwise you will get serious vibration issues and possibly lose a wheel...:confused
 
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