Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: Bulldog67 on October 01, 2011, 10:45:48 PM

Title: Spacers - safe width?
Post by: Bulldog67 on October 01, 2011, 10:45:48 PM: as it says really, the Molotov will need spacers when it has the hack & slash and new flares fitted, so is there a safe width size i shouldnt go over?

obviously billet are order of the day but can i go as wide as 50mm on the rear on an offroad truck?

cheers :greggmo:
Title: Re: Spacers - safe width?
Post by: IrishCJ6 on October 02, 2011, 10:10:03 AM: I've always seen spacers as a real no no, they put undue stress on the wheel bearings and can really effect the handling of a car/jeep, I know they were outlawed in NZ when we were racing, you are much better off to get the right offset wheel. Just my 2 cents worth
Title: Re: Spacers - safe width?
Post by: Dave The Sparky on October 02, 2011, 10:39:48 AM: Ive had 30mm spacers and so has J33pKY for ages and we have had no bother yet.......
Title: Re: Spacers - safe width?
Post by: Bulldog67 on October 02, 2011, 11:32:58 AM: it is a black/white topic, where it appears tech heads say no, but i havent seen anyone that uses them complain about what is threatened to happen
Title: Re: Spacers - safe width?
Post by: Nosebolt on October 02, 2011, 02:29:28 PM: IMHO spacers are fine as long as your not doing motorway speeds, go 30mm's on Tonka and no issues but if needed would go for new wheels on a daily driver that was expected to go on the motorway.

difference in stress on the bearings is the same between offset wheels and spacers of the same size, but stress on the studs is magnified at speed with spacers
Title: Re: Spacers - safe width?
Post by: Lornaben on October 02, 2011, 02:35:40 PM: :imwitstupid:

Had 30mm on mine for 10 years with no issue.

The biggest and only issue with spacers is getting the right type. Its been said before but its worth repeating, use the type that attach using your existing studs and then present you with a 'new' set of studs to attach the wheel. Do not under any circumstances use the type that 'extend' your studs and use a fat washer to move the wheel out.
Title: Re: Spacers - safe width?
Post by: JamesH on October 02, 2011, 02:47:39 PM: :imwitstupid:

Both of the comments above would be my advice too
Title: Re: Spacers - safe width?
Post by: 300bhp/ton on October 03, 2011, 08:01:00 PM: Quote from: IrishCJ6 on October 02, 2011, 10:10:03 AM
I've always seen spacers as a real no no, they put undue stress on the wheel bearings and can really effect the handling of a car/jeep, I know they were outlawed in NZ when we were racing, you are much better off to get the right offset wheel. Just my 2 cents worth
Curious, but how exactly does a wide offset wheel actually affect the bearings differently to running spacers?

i.e.

you could for arguments sake weld a spacer onto a rim, and mill out part of the inner flange so the studs would stick through. Hay presto you now have a wider offset rim.
Title: Re: Spacers - safe width?
Post by: isle of man on October 03, 2011, 08:10:32 PM: For me I think this is an urban myth - have spacer on the 75 and the Mafia (just the back axle for the Mafia) without a problem and the Mafia has been spanked to an inch of its life!!!!