Are Wheel Spacers Safe?

I did a search and read a ton of threads but couldn't locate one that discussed the safety of spacers in depth.

I was thinking about using them on the TRD sport rims. Spidertrax seems to be the best from my research.

I've asked several people here in my home town and they say they are not safe and not to use them. If you think they are not safe please post here. I don't want an unsafe setup. Will tire shops stay away from rotating the tires when they find out I have spacers? Are they safe?

Thanks for the opinions!

 

Yeah it looks like a lot of people here think they are safe. Does anyone think they are unsafe? If so, I would like to hear from them. Maybe they have had issues or opinions that would be informative.

Is it typically hard to find a tire shop that would do tire work (ie. rotate tires) with spacers?

Thanks!

 

I've read they dont rotate them due to liability issues...not because of any extra effort.

 

Well, I'm going to be a bit of an ass, but rotating your own tires is not a hard thing to do...

I think the "unsafe" rep for spacers come from the type that just sit between the wheel and hub, not like the spidertrax which bolt to the hub, and the wheel gets bolted to them. Sorry if that's not clear, I'm having trouble putting my thoughts into words.

 

I am not expert on wheel spacers, but your question alone causes me pause. I would not even consider installing them on my truck. I think the advise you are being given is correct, they ARE NOT SAFE. Again, I am not an expert, but I would not install these if they were given to me free.

For what its worth,

Taco4x4nc

 

i would never put another possible (weak link) on my vehicle. but thats just me. i have never heard any bad about properly installed spacers.

 

IMO never install spacers unless you absolutlely need them... Both of my mechanics said the same thing they strongly advised me to deal with the rubbing or get longer studs pressed in... From what i hear i would not put them on

 

i had spacers on my previous car. and theres wasnt a tire shop in town that would touch the tire ( while on the car) for any reason. so if i had a flat i had to take it off and take the tire to them. said it was a "liability"

I was told that if you use ones such as spidertrax youll be fine. since they have new studs. but if you just use generic spacers that is like a big washer, you run the risk of cracking studs, since there is less area for the lugnuts to hold onto.

 

I'm split on this issue.

I wouldn't run them personally. But, I don't see them being an issue for truck users.

On the track however, I have seen many spacers crack and drop plate under speed, load and hard approaches. It's pretty scary.

There are many that haven't had problems, but I just wouldn't risk it. My $0.02

 

I see a lot of conjecture here but nothing to back that stuff up...Just cause someone tells you something doesn't mean it's the truth.

Based on physics- Spacers introduce a minute moment into the system that wasn't there initially so you might have issues with the wheel bearings- but it's not common if they are installed correctly.

Based on mechanics- The spacers that use the hub lugs are more dangerous because you distribute the forces on the wheel/hub assembly across less stud area and less threads-leading to a higher likelihood of failure. Spidertrax use a separate set of lugs on the spacers so the spacer bolts to the hub and the wheel to the spacer. My dealership has rotated my tires twice and even checked the torques on the lugnuts for the spacers for me...No issues. Not saying that you won't have problems tho.

Based on experiences-I've wheeled the shit outta truck and driven a LOT of highway/city miles since I put the spidertrax adapters on without an issues. Lugs are plenty tight and I have no issues with alignment or wobbles or anything.

 

Thanks! That says it all...I'm not going to use spacers. All it takes is 1 person that knows what they are talking about to say they wouldn't run them to convince me. They may be safe 99% of the time...I'm going to make damn sure I'm not in the 1% category.

Thanks to everyone for helping me out here!

 

Yeah, the hub-centric Spidertraxx are plenty safe on a Tacoma.

 

i have them, no issues here.

 

I don't know man that top quote seems pretty informative. Guess the census is if you do get wheel spacers be sure to get the Spidertraxx.

 

I've had them on my 1st gen for almost 2 years, I had an axle seal go, but I think that was unrelated.