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Are Wheel Spacers Safe?

Discussion in 'Wheels & Tires' started by jmed99, Apr 3, 2010.

  1. Apr 3, 2010 at 10:26 AM
    #1
    jmed99

    jmed99 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    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. :confused: 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! :D
     
  2. Apr 3, 2010 at 10:42 AM
    #2
    The_Hodge

    The_Hodge Volunteer Moderator

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    Seeing the third gen section forced me to get a Ford...
    you'll fine many people on here that use spidertrax and have no issues. there is a difference in 1st and 2nd gens for what they need though. 1st gens need lug centric and 2nd gens need hub centric. get the right ones and you'll be ok
     
  3. Apr 3, 2010 at 10:53 AM
    #3
    jmed99

    jmed99 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    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!
     
  4. Apr 3, 2010 at 10:55 AM
    #4
    The_Hodge

    The_Hodge Volunteer Moderator

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    Seeing the third gen section forced me to get a Ford...
    there have been people that did not install them correctly or buy the wrong type and have issues. there are threads on here about it. i dont see why it would matter to them rotating tires since all they do is just like doing it w/o them. no extra hassle.
     
  5. Apr 3, 2010 at 11:10 AM
    #5
    jmed99

    jmed99 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I've read they dont rotate them due to liability issues...not because of any extra effort.
     
  6. Apr 3, 2010 at 11:14 AM
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    VancityCK

    VancityCK Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  7. Apr 3, 2010 at 11:44 AM
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    The_Hodge

    The_Hodge Volunteer Moderator

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    Seeing the third gen section forced me to get a Ford...
    yeah...the 1/4" to 1/2" spacers that sit between the hub and wheel w/o getting longer studs wuld be more unsafe. now if someone were to get longer studs pressed in, that would be a different issue. IIRC, there have been peope unhappy w/ the small spacers between causing the whels to wobble.
     
  8. Apr 3, 2010 at 5:25 PM
    #8
    Taco4x4NC

    Taco4x4NC Well-Known Member

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    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
     
  9. Apr 3, 2010 at 5:28 PM
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    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Personally, If they are installed correctly, I dont see them being Unsafe. However, I wouldnt run them.
     
  10. Apr 3, 2010 at 5:34 PM
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    Sparky4.0

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    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.
     
  11. Apr 3, 2010 at 5:41 PM
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    T-Sali12

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    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
     
  12. Apr 3, 2010 at 8:23 PM
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    Cryer

    Cryer O shizzle!

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    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.
     
  13. Apr 4, 2010 at 10:35 AM
    #13
    AriZonaD54

    AriZonaD54 BANNED in 49 states...

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    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
     
  14. Apr 4, 2010 at 10:43 AM
    #14
    Brunes

    Brunes abides.

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    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.
     
  15. Apr 4, 2010 at 4:56 PM
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    jmed99

    jmed99 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    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! :D
     
  16. Apr 4, 2010 at 8:18 PM
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    nvdeserted

    nvdeserted Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, the hub-centric Spidertraxx are plenty safe on a Tacoma.
     
  17. Apr 4, 2010 at 8:21 PM
    #17
    kinkrider101

    kinkrider101 Well-Known Member

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    i have them, no issues here.
     
  18. Apr 4, 2010 at 8:26 PM
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    Andrew H

    Andrew H What is this "search" you speak of?

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    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.
     
  19. Apr 4, 2010 at 8:46 PM
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    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Brunes is correct in that the spacers put an increased load on the hub bearings. Just as much as a wheel with 1.25" less Back spacing. Weather this affects the bearings and to what degree, has yet to be tested. I have heard of too many people who have run spacers (different brands), and who have had premature bearing failure. Weather this had been a failure due to manufacturing of the bearings, or the increased loading on the bearings, I dont know. However, you dont find too many people who dont run the spacers, report hub bearing failures. Thats why I dont run them.
     
  20. Apr 4, 2010 at 8:48 PM
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    rab89

    rab89 Well-Known Member

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

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