[J1tvv]

Hi All,

Wheel spacers are they just for looks ? Or are there performance benefits in improved feel / handling ?

Cheers

Jit.

[Huwgo R]

Hi

A wider stance the car will improve the handling

[invisiblekid]

Spacers lower the centre of gravity, which can mean improvements round bends, but spacers won't necessarily improve handling. Some can cause increase vibration at speed too, although I believe hub centric spacers don't suffer from that. I've never fitted, so can't confirm. 

 

Much depends on other mods, offset etc

 

Most people fit them for 'stance' or to clear aftermarket BBK.

Edited by invisiblekid, 01 September 2019 - 04:43 PM.

[0120raptor]

How can spacers lower the c of g ? Unless your talking about the ultra minute reduction in the spring rate the wheel
sees with the also ultra minute increase in lever arm length.

[T-800]

How can spacers lower the c of g ? Unless your talking about the ultra minute reduction in the spring rate the wheel
sees with the also ultra minute increase in lever arm length.

I was just thinking the same Neil.

Have them on mine. All they do is widen the track by 16mm.

Can’t say I’ve noticed much else.

I can imagine they’d help with cornering but only because of the wider track.

Edited by T-800, 01 September 2019 - 04:57 PM.

[T-800]

Is it possible then that the lower centre of gravity comes from pushing the tyre further out
In that the contact area of the tyre is further away from the ‘chassis’ / Damper & spring therefore the vehicle ‘weight’ or mass pulls down further.

Sort of like the Torque lever effect you get when you move further out from a centre point.

Edited by T-800, 01 September 2019 - 07:16 PM.

[0120raptor]

Is it possible then that the lower centre of gravity comes from pushing the tyre further out
In that the contact area of the tyre is further away from the ‘chassis’ / Damper & spring therefore the vehicle ‘weight’ or mass pulls down further.

Sort of like the Torque lever effect you get when you move further out from a centre point.

Sean
That`s what I said but in a different way. But in all honesty I can`t see the lowering being any more than 0.25mm.

[T-800]

Sean
That`s what I said but in a different way. But in all honesty I can`t see the lowering being any more than 0.25mm.

Even if I go this far out

[0120raptor]

That may be more than 0.25mm lower

[T-800]

That may be more than 0.25mm lower

I’m genuinely interested though even if my understanding / explanation resembled the ramblings of an average Joe

[0120raptor]

I’m genuinely interested though even if my understanding / explanation resembled the ramblings of an average Joe

Sean
I can work it out but need some dimensions.
" A " distance from center of inner lower wishbone mount to center of tyre contact.
" B " distance from above pivot point to the intersection point of a line drawn through the strut.
" C " spring rate in lbs/inch.
For total accuracy I need the angle between "A" and the strut.
You can work out the spring rate quite easily.
Measure the difference from center of wheel to wheel arch between ride height and car jacked up so
wheel is off the ground.
This gives wheel rate ,but using " A " and " B " above spring rate can be calculated
Also need weight distribution front to rear.
Simples.

Edited by 0120raptor, 01 September 2019 - 09:03 PM.

[T-800]

Sean
I can work it out but need some dimensions.
" A " distance from center of inner lower wishbone mount to center of tyre contact.
" B " distance from above pivot point to the intersection point of a line drawn through the strut.
" C " spring rate in lbs/inch.
For total accuracy I need the angle between "A" and the strut.
You can work out the spring rate quite easily.
Measure the difference from center of wheel to wheel arch between ride height and car jacked up so
wheel is off the ground.
Also need weight distribution front to rear.
Simples.

Err I’ll take your word for it

[RS3Dell]

SeanI can work it out but need some dimensions." A " distance from center of inner lower wishbone mount to center of tyre contact." B " distance from above pivot point to the intersection point of a line drawn through the strut." C " spring rate in lbs/inch.For total accuracy I need the angle between "A" and the strut.You can work out the spring rate quite easily.Measure the difference from center of wheel to wheel arch between ride height and car jacked up sowheel is off the ground.This gives wheel rate ,but using " A " and " B " above spring rate can be calculatedAlso need weight distribution front to rear.Simples.

Neil.

You called me clever about how to work out what wire was what for your crank sensor mate. 😆

Dell.

[0120raptor]

Neil.

You called me clever about how to work out what wire was what for your crank sensor mate.

Dell.

Dell
It`s only maths.

[RS3Dell]

DellIt`s only maths.

Yes its all about the numbers mate 😆

Dell.

Edited by RS3Dell, 01 September 2019 - 11:02 PM.

[J1tvv]

Thanks guys maybe i’ll Do spacers last once I get some light weight wheels.

Cheers

[deepspacemillar]

Late to this party, but frankly for most people spacers are used for looks.
Any difference they make to center of gravity is almost moot; what mostly happens is the wider stance helps reduce body roll, which can have positive effects for stability etc.
You are putting a distance between the center of the wheel and the hub however and this does have some effects;

• It can change the scrub radius, which basically means steering will be heavier, you'll get more movement from bumps in the road etc. How much depends on how big a spacer obviously.
• It increases the stress on suspension parts, but especially your studs and wheel bearings, although whether this has an appreciable effect on lifespan will be down to all sorts of factors.
• It can effectively reduce your spring rate, as your wheels have extra force against the suspension

Of course, you're likely not running much more than about 10mm or so anyway, so the effects other than looks are likely minimal.

Where possible though, run a hubcentric spacer and make sure it is installed properly.