Running A Spacer on One Wheel

I've got a question for the wheel gurus. Is it okay to run a thin wheel spacer on only one wheel?

Here's my situation:
My truck was recently in an accident and the driver's side front wheel was cracked. The insurance company is only paying to replace the damaged wheel. The wheels on my truck are 15x7 Eagle Alloys Series 146. The problem is that the specific wheel model number hasn't been made in three years or so and they are hard to find. Eagle Alloy had one left in the country but it was a "display model". I had the body shop get the wheel and it came in last week. So I hear today from the body shop that this wheel rubs the brake caliper when it's mounted. Like the backspacing/offset is not perfect. The solution they are proposing is to use a thin spacer (1/8"-1/4") so that it won't hit the caliper. They claim that this will not cause any long term problems and it will ride like before. According to the lady at the body shop this isn't that uncommon with aftermarket wheels. Eagle Alloy won't claim that the wheel is defective without it being returned to them and then inspected by their people. I don't like the idea of running the spacer, but my only other option is to buy a new set of wheels which I was hoping I wouldn't have to do and prolongs my truck being in the shop.

 

I don't see the problem with running a wheel spacer on only one wheel. Your best bet would be to measure the difference on that one wheel compared to the others and space it accordingly so that, that specific wheel has an equal backspacing as the others.

 

Not an expert on this, and don't really have any specific reasons, but I would never run a wheel spacer on one wheel. I would also be concerned that the one wheel you have is off in more ways than just that if none of your others rub the caliper. something is just not right.

 

No, just shave the caliper

 

That's what my gut is telling me. I don't know if anything is really wrong with running one spacer but it just seems kind of sketchy.

I suggested that and the body shop was very adamant that they will not do that.

 

i would get in touch with the insurance co. and explain what is going on, that you CAN NOT get a direct replacement rim that works and hopefully they will get you 4 new rims

 

It shouldn't hurt anything. With that small of a spacer, you will not be changing the geometry enough to ever notice. But why not just put a small spacer on the other side to even it out?

 

I asked the shop about that early on because they hadn't found a replacement wheel yet and were afraid that they wouldn't be able to find one. According to the body shop the insurance company will only pay to replace the damaged wheel and not an entire set. However the amount the wheel is valued at can be applied to a new set of wheels.

 

The Eagle 146's are side-specific?!

 

good point cant you put the new wheel on the rear or try the other side

 

try this maybe?
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/153662-grinding-brake-caliper.html

 

besides the toyota lugs are pretty damn short to begin with. you would lose another 1/4" of thread bite if you use a spacer like that.

 

Shameless plug

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/wheels-tires/119883-wheel-studs-too-short-what-do.html



I'm not buying this side-specific thing. How are you supposed to rotate your tires if your wheels are side specific? What is different on the hubs/calipers on each side of the truck that would make having a side-specific wheel necessary? Why aren't all other wheels that fit tacomas side-specific if these need to be?

 

You're right they're not side specific. It can go on the front or rear either side. If they put it on the rear then when the tires are rotated it will go up front. The spacer will have to travel with it so that it clears the caliper.

 

Good plug. I already run E/T lug nuts so that the wheels are get centered on the hubs.

 

I guess I'm confused as to why one wheel would need a spacer but the others did not

 

Have the insurance buy you a whole new set of wheels!! tell them your wheel never had a spacer or the caliper shaved and still want it that way.. Thats why you pay them every month.. have them keep the 3 old ones. Thats what i would do.

 

It's because the replacement is out of spec. It's the same model number as the originals but it sounds like the offset is different.

 

Tried a little while ago. They aren't budging. It's the other driver's insurance that's paying in the end so I guess my insurance is afraid of not getting paid for the other three rims.

I'm going to try this again tomorrow morning.

 

did you have them try the stock wheels to see if it hits if you have them or have them try that wheel on the r/f to see if it hits on the caliper
sounds like somthing else may be wrong if its the same wheel as the rest