Dumb question (sorry)
#1
Posted 01 September 2019 - 03:38 PM
Wheel spacers are they just for looks ? Or are there performance benefits in improved feel / handling ?
Cheers
Jit.
#2
Posted 01 September 2019 - 04:32 PM
#3
Posted 01 September 2019 - 04:43 PM
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.
RS3 8V FL - bone stock...for now.
RS3 8V - eTuners Stage 3 480hp.
#4
Posted 01 September 2019 - 04:51 PM
sees with the also ultra minute increase in lever arm length.
Catalunya Red ,Heated rear window,Power steering,Wireless (with FM),Seat belts,Servo assisted brakes.Pneumatic tyres. Disc brakes.
#5
Posted 01 September 2019 - 04:54 PM
I was just thinking the same Neil.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.
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.
#6
Posted 01 September 2019 - 07:10 PM
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.
#7
Posted 01 September 2019 - 07:30 PM
SeanIs 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.
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.
Catalunya Red ,Heated rear window,Power steering,Wireless (with FM),Seat belts,Servo assisted brakes.Pneumatic tyres. Disc brakes.
#8
Posted 01 September 2019 - 07:43 PM
Even if I go this far outSean
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.
#9
Posted 01 September 2019 - 07:52 PM
Catalunya Red ,Heated rear window,Power steering,Wireless (with FM),Seat belts,Servo assisted brakes.Pneumatic tyres. Disc brakes.
#10
Posted 01 September 2019 - 08:10 PM
I’m genuinely interested though even if my understanding / explanation resembled the ramblings of an average JoeThat may be more than 0.25mm lower
#11
Posted 01 September 2019 - 08:34 PM
SeanI’m genuinely interested though even if my understanding / explanation resembled the ramblings of an average Joe
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.
Catalunya Red ,Heated rear window,Power steering,Wireless (with FM),Seat belts,Servo assisted brakes.Pneumatic tyres. Disc brakes.
#12
Posted 01 September 2019 - 09:03 PM
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
#13
Posted 01 September 2019 - 09:25 PM
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.
#14
Posted 01 September 2019 - 09:30 PM
DellNeil.
You called me clever about how to work out what wire was what for your crank sensor mate.
Dell.
It`s only maths.
Catalunya Red ,Heated rear window,Power steering,Wireless (with FM),Seat belts,Servo assisted brakes.Pneumatic tyres. Disc brakes.
#15
Posted 01 September 2019 - 11:00 PM
DellIt`s only maths.
Yes its all about the numbers mate 😆
Dell.
Edited by RS3Dell, 01 September 2019 - 11:02 PM.
#16
Posted 02 September 2019 - 07:07 PM
Cheers
#17
Posted 05 September 2019 - 01:52 PM
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.