On Today's Episode - Wheel Spacers

 

 

Wheel Spacers. A very popular component in the automotive aftermarket that has been scrutinized by know-it-alls, while also being used irresponsibly just for the gram. In this article, we discuss the benefits and dangers of wheel spacers; while helping you make a sound decision before purchasing those use wheels on marketplace that you damn well know might not fit your car right anyway.

Faction Fab 20mm 5x100 Wheel Spacers 2013-2024+ BRZ/FR-S/86

 

The main function for wheel spacers is to create more distance between your brake caliper and wheel spoke. Depending on the design, many wheels can make contact with your OEM brake calipers, but especially with larger big brake kits. With larger brake kits, it is always mandatory that you acquire a larger diameter wheel because your factory wheels will not be big enough.

 

The fact of the matter with all of us car enthusiasts, we will more than likely get an aftermarket set of wheels for our cars unless you are a discerning owner who only buys investment vehicles such as a 90s Ferrari 512TR, and although it would be sick to put TE37’s on that car, you shouldn’t. But an A90 Supra, a BRZ, a WRX, and Evo, Corvette, we’re going to put some wider wheels on that thang. Now to be fair, TE37’s infamous 6-spoke design will clear most big brake kits. But if you buy a wheel that has a mesh spoke design like a BBS wheel and with a stepped lip where the face of the wheel will be a smaller profile, there will be a risk where your caliper will contact your brake caliper. In this case, wheel spacers are the right move if you are set on the wheel choice that you purchased.

Another great use for wheel spacers is to make your wheels flush with your fenders for an overall cleaner look. Check out this BRZ for example:

Stock body other than a front lip, stock wheels, responsible drop, with wheel spacers to make the wheels flusher with the fenders. Super clean yeah? Absolutely. However, notice the gap between the tire and the fender, this is just enough to where the owner will not contact the fender. If the car had a wider tire and was lower, you would be causing damage to your fenders while self-clearancing the edge of your tire. This is what you want to avoid at all costs unless you want to have the same status as a G35 owner with a missing front bumper. Meaning that your fenders will be damaged, and rust will appear where there is no more paint on the lips of your damaged fenders. Yes, you could roll or trim your fenders, but if you get too wide of a wheel spacer, you’re not going to prevent anything unless you raise the chassis on coilovers making your BRZ a 4x4.

 

THE DANGERS OF WHEEL SPACERS

 

 

 

Yes, there are many dangers of wheel spacers. If you don’t have a proper torque wrench yet then leave now and go get one, even if it’s a Pittsburg unit at Harbor Freight (yeah, they work). Let’s list a few things that we need to be acutely aware of when installing wheel spacers, especially if they are wide enough to come with their own lug nuts and studs which they will if you get them 15mm and wider for example:

PERRIN 25mm 5x100 Wheel Spacers 2013-2021 BRZ/FR-S/86

 

These PERRIN Wheel Spacers are proper by the way, but tis is a 25mm spacer, which means it’s about an inch wide. Spacers this wide will obviously have their own lug nuts with wheel studs attached. The danger is not properly adding enough torque to the wheel spacers. Spacers will require the same amount of torque as your wheels do so 80-100 ft-lbs. per corner. You’d think it’s common sense, but some people forget that your wheels are completely hinged on the spacers. So, if your wheel spacer gets loose, then off your wheel goes with it. Because driving on loose lugs will only make them come off faster with the weight of the chassis resting on the wheels.

 

GET THE RIGHT SIZE

 

The other danger is getting spacers that are too wide and will cause tire rub. Wheel spacers for a quality set which you should always purchase, can be expensive. So, make sure that you get the correct size and not go too wide. The rule of thumb especially if you are getting spacers for brake caliper clearance, is that you need to get the minimum size as possible to clear your wheels. Now if you added wider aftermarket fenders or a wide body kit, then obviously you will want to get a 25mm+ spacer.

But for a stock body BRZ, when getting spacers for a cleaner look, don’t go too wide. Because as we mentioned before, rubbing tires on your fender can cause major damage to your fenders, while putting you at risk because your fenders will dig into your tire causing a blowout.

Most importantly, for spacers that are 15mm and wider, these should be hub-centric to fit the bore of your hub. Luckily, because we are a website centric to the BRZ, FR-S, and 86, we carry model-specific wheel spacers that are direct bolt-on to your application without trying to play a guessing game with used spacers you bought off marketplace that have the same bolt pattern. Trying to force a spacer that has a smaller bore over the OEM diameter just won’t work. And please don’t try to use whatever garage tools you have to hack the bore wider because all you will do is cause an imbalance which will cause road vibration. Now 10mm and under will usually be universal in size and will have a large bore to fit all applications with the same bolt pattern.

 

 

LASTLY, DON’T CHEAP OUT ON SPACERS

ISC 25mm Wheels Spacers Pair 5x100 2013-2021 VRZ/FR-S/86

 

Because wheel spacers are used in abundance in the automotive space including racing, car shows, making wheels work with widebody kits, whatever the case may be, they are produced in mass quantities using inferior products. Most if not all examples that we carry will be made using aircraft-grade aluminum with high grade-rated hardware. Cheap spacers made with cheap aluminum can rust, warp, or crack in half. Juat like wheels, make a sound investment when it comes to spacers as well, so that you can execute that clean look, while keeping your car safe on the road.

 

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