Advantages of wheel spacers?

[scottryana]

So I haven't seen anyone mention the downside of spacers is that you actually lose wheel travel. I have 1.5" spacers on my truck mostly because it looks cool at the mall but it does move the tire out of the fender and it hits the lip instead of tucking inside.

 

[Dubbinchris]

I installed mine simply to get the tires out wider than the body to help prevent body damage. It hasn't completely worked as evidenced by my avatar. I guess it could have been worse.

 

[scottryana]

Here is a good picture that you can easily see the rear lip that is maybe 1.5" lower than the inside of the wheel well. If the tires tucked up inside that lip you would have more uptravel. or more accurately you wouldn't have to bumpstop uptravel as early. Like others have said you also throw a lot more mud up the side of the truck.

The 80s fender flares don't actually act like real flares, they are just for looks. To get actual flare benefit you would need to cut that lip out.

 

[dogfishlake]

Absolutely agree and guess overtightening in the past must have happened prior to my ownership but, it is odd that even the most meticulously cared for rigs have had issues.

Regards

Dave

I am thinking more and more that new oem studs should be p.m.

 

[danthman114]

You don't want body damage but extending the wheels out would make the tires contact the body causing damage? Correct?

 

[Proven]

You don't want body damage but extending the wheels out would make the tires contact the body causing damage? Correct?

That might depend on your tire size and size of spacer. In some cases it might reduce rubbing.

 

[Mr Cimarron]

The biggest disadvantage is you are adding 24 extra nuts to maintain, if they are spacers that have separate studs. Now you have to remove 24 nuts to check the other 24 nuts.
I totaled a previous Jeep due to one of the rear spacers getting loose and then shearing off the studs. Tire flew off and I rolled. I had torqued them when installed but s*** happens but I should have checked them after leaving Moab but didn’t so I can only blame myself. I personally would never run them again and now put proper wheels on my trucks.
Having said that I know many folks that run them with no issues.

 

[LS1FJ40]

I am thinking more and more that new oem studs should be p.m.

Yep. Have them sitting in my bin of things to do this winter.

 

[LS1FJ40]

The biggest disadvantage is you are adding 24 extra nuts to maintain, if they are spacers that have separate studs. Now you have to remove 24 nuts to check the other 24 nuts.
I totaled a previous Jeep due to one of the rear spacers getting loose and then shearing off the studs. Tire flew off and I rolled. I had torqued them when installed but s*** happens but I should have checked them after leaving Moab but didn’t so I can only blame myself. I personally would never run them again and now put proper wheels on my trucks.
Having said that I know many folks that run them with no issues.

Thank you for your sacrifice.

 

[Dave 2000]

I would not rush to change them......well not the front anyway.

Backs can be changed by pulling the disc, knocking the studs back and fit new ones, torque and re-torque again after driving.

Re the fronts. As the hub needs to be pulled, so calliper, grease seal, pull and either clean or fit new bearings makes it a lot of work for something that may never happen, and the normal mode is it is the rears that fail more often than the front, I would replace a front set if in there with other maintenance you may be doing, a bearing or a birf ect.

Just a note, I seem to remember the stud length is different front and rear?

Might be worth having a chat with @beno?

Regards

Dave

 

[LS1FJ40]

I would not rush to change them......well not the front anyway.

Backs can be changed by pulling the disc, knocking the studs back and fit new ones, torque and re-torque again after driving.

Re the fronts. As the hub needs to be pulled, so calliper, grease seal, pull and either clean or fit new bearings makes it a lot of work for something that may never happen, and the normal mode is it is the rears that fail more often than the front, I would replace a front set if in there with other maintenance you may be doing, a bearing or a birf ect.

Just a note, I seem to remember the stud length is different front and rear?

Might be worth having a chat with @beno?

Regards

Dave

Hmmm. Don’t seem to remember them being different lengths...

 

[danthman114]

That might depend on your tire size and size of spacer. In some cases it might reduce rubbing.

that's with any tire size. the op said he was on the rubicon and I'm willing to bet that he tucked the tires at some point. if they stick out wouldn't they rub? not to mention tucking them while the wheel is turned...

 

[malteserunner]

No wheel spacers needed...

-38mm offset

*sawzall may be required.

 

[Dave 2000]

Hmmm. Don’t seem to remember them being different lengths...

Yeh not sure but something stirred in the grey matter..............

Regards

Dave

 

[Dave 2000]

Just looked on Amayama, my car details show different numbers for front and rear axle for the wheel studs, I may be reading it wrong...it is early?

@beno where are you mate?

Regards

Dave