Fitting wheel spacers

AndyBrad · Post by **AndyBrad** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 1:10 pm

So im going to fit some hub centric spacers this weekend. Is there anything specific i need to know? i.e locktight the nuts etc?

Post by **warpc0il** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 2:00 pm

What size spacers?

Some spacers leave the ends of the original studs protruding in between their studs for the wheels.

This is fine if your wheels have recesses in the back between the stud holes.

Mazda used different suppliers for their wheels, which all look the same from the front but some have recesses, while some don't. Some cars even have a mixture of wheels.

If the stud end protrudes and you don't have recesses, then you either have to grind/cut/file the ends of the studs, or create recesses in the wheels to provide clearance.

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AndyBrad · Post by **AndyBrad** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 2:53 pm

20mm spacers with standard r3 wheels

kopite72 · Post by **kopite72** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 3:35 pm

You'll be fine, I had 20 mil spacers on mine with no issues, just uee some copper grease on each stud and work away

AndyBrad · Post by **AndyBrad** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 4:09 pm

superb

AndyBrad · Post by **AndyBrad** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 4:10 pm

im going to fit the rears first to see if there are any issues then order a front set

GreySilver Beast · Post by **GreySilver Beast** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 4:17 pm

When I had my R3 the Studs for the Spacers had to be cut down to size to fit the R3 Wheels

I had 15mm on the back and 20mm on the front

AndyBrad · Post by **AndyBrad** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 4:37 pm

any suggestions in good tips for cutting them down?

Post by **Phil Bate** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 5:05 pm

Fit the open ended nuts from the spacers over the studs first and then cut with a cutting disc or a good hacksaw blade, file off the edges and then remove the nuts to repair the end of the threads. Just be aware if you then fit aftermarket wheels at a later date and they are thicker where the studs pass through, you might need to replace the studs to get enough thread engagement. Easy enough on the fronts but the rears require a press and new bearings.

Post by **DrewR3** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 5:17 pm

Do the studs definately need cutting? I was hoping to put some on but dont want to cut studs. I was looking at freaky parts 20mm bolt on ones

Post by **Phil Bate** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 5:20 pm

It all depends on the wheels - the only way to tell is to pop them off (all of them, as they can differ as Dave mentions) and measure the depth of the recesses. Check this is greater than the stud length minus 20mm or whatever thickness spacer you are fitting.

ChrisHolmes · Post by **ChrisHolmes** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 5:51 pm

DrewR3 wrote: ↑
Mon Sep 06, 2021 5:17 pm
Do the studs definately need cutting? I was hoping to put some on but dont want to cut studs. I was looking at freaky parts 20mm bolt on ones

The Freaky parts spacers that Smedley bought for his RX8 had screw in wheel studs as opposed to flanged splined studs which are found on other spacers. Apparently these screw in stud spacers have been used on numerous track cars without any problem.
It is vital however that the wheel nut torque specified by the supplier for the spacers is used if they are not flanged studs.

Conan · Post by **Conan** » Mon Sep 06, 2021 6:32 pm

I'm not a fan of cutting the wheel studs as I've seen what some people have done to them and then fitted oem wheels without the spacer after.
It really is very easy to drill the recess in the back of the wheel slightly so the stud doesn't foul the wheel
Pete

AndyBrad · Post by **AndyBrad** » Sun Oct 03, 2021 10:15 am

Right. All fitted and much better looking. Drives well apart from uneven surfaces cause a bit of side to side diving under breaking.
Any idea why.?

350matt · Post by **350matt** » Sun Oct 03, 2021 10:47 am

Quite possibly there was a bit of geometry error before you fitted the spacers thats now being amplifed
get the car 4 wheel aligned I 'd say

by the way is there any handling benefit to fitting spacers or is it just for looks?

GreySilver Beast · Post by **GreySilver Beast** » Sun Oct 03, 2021 11:08 am

There was when I had them fitted to the R3, as it made the car feel tighter when corning on the track

AndyBrad · Post by **AndyBrad** » Sun Oct 03, 2021 2:02 pm

I've noticed that it's got better turn in

Post by **DrewR3** » Sun Oct 03, 2021 5:58 pm

AndyBrad wrote: ↑
Sun Oct 03, 2021 10:15 am
Right. All fitted and much better looking. Drives well apart from uneven surfaces cause a bit of side to side diving under breaking.
Any idea why.?

What tyres have you got on? I got tramlining on Kumho Ecstas on my PZ. I do unfortunately have them on my R3 at the moment which is a different size and no issues this time. On the PZ though a quick tyre change and all was good

Post by **warpc0il** » Sun Oct 03, 2021 6:51 pm

Wheel spacers, or aftermarket wheels with less offset, not only increase the track but they also move the contact patch further away from the (near) vertical axis that the hubs turn on while steering.

This means that tram-lining is increased, as the tyre now had more leverage.

It also slightly reduces the effective spring rate of the suspension, for much the same reason.

350matt · Post by **350matt** » Mon Oct 04, 2021 7:16 am

Hmmm

think I'll give them a miss then

79398 · Post by **79398** » Mon Oct 04, 2021 7:36 am

350matt wrote: ↑
Mon Oct 04, 2021 7:16 am
Hmmm

think I'll give them a miss then

Adjustable drop links and a proper professional set up with a suspension specialist will sort all those issues.
And improve the handling beyond belief.

ChrisHolmes · Post by **ChrisHolmes** » Mon Oct 04, 2021 8:52 pm

What Simon said above.
I don’t have any “wandering” issues with my set up.
I have 20mm spacers all round, 245/35 tyres all round adjustable drop links seized so they are what they are, alignment by traditional string method at F W Motorsport for fast road / track use.

bc-49 · Post by **bc-49** » Fri Nov 05, 2021 3:25 pm

Who else runs spacers on track?

I’m running 20mm Eibach hubcentric spacers front and rear.

When/how often do you check the torque on these? I haven’t touched them since they went on a few years back.

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ChrisHolmes · Post by **ChrisHolmes** » Sat Nov 06, 2021 4:40 pm

I run the same setup and have always found the nuts tight when checked.

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