Wheel Spacers: Good or Bad?
 

I'm thinking about running some '99 4runner Alloys on my '93 xcab 4x4 pickup. I don't know what the backspacing is on those wheels yet, but if it's 4" or more I'm thinking I might need some spacers. In the old days spacers were not considered safe for use at highway speeds. Is that still true, or are they better now? -- Matt

Don't watch TV, it will rot your brains.

If you do that too much your face will stick like that.

You've heard those before I bet. Don't believe all you have heard about wheel spacers being unsafe. :roll:

Wheel spacers are perfectly safe if installed properly and maintained, but nothing is idiot proof. :hillbill: I have run them off-road and on-road with no problems.

I have sold hundreds of wheel spacers with no problems.

:guitar:

x2... loctite and about 100f/lb

I'd prefer not to have them on my truck, but I do. In 3+ years of running them on and offroad I have yet to have a problem.

I locktite'd the nuts and I check them everytime I change or rotate my tires. Seem to be fine.

Any special type of thread locker. Or just regular old blue loctite? -- Matt

I just used blue loctite.

spacers shouldn't cause you any significant problems. just avoid the 'shim' spacers that go between the wheel and hub 'cause they use up valuable threads on the studs.

wabbit's got the good ones that bolt to the hub then the wheel bolts to the spacer.

I haven't had a problem.. I used blue locktight and check them everytime i take the wheel off.

X15....

:dj:

I have the type that are sandwiched between the rim and the hub. They're 1/4" and it seems to me that the truck pulls more to the side if I drive through a patch of snow with one wheel (so in effect, its a little bit like having not enough caster angle).

I bought the spacers so that tire chains wouldn't rub the upper control arm. I'll probably take them off for the summer.

I haven't used thread locker on the wheel studs, just torqued them as I would normally. I really don't think the rim cares if its being pressed against a spacer or a hub, its still 10 000lbs+ of clamping force. Recall that it is that clamping force, not the resistance to shearing of the studs that holds the rim to the hub.

it's not the caster, it's that the spacers are shifting the centerline of the tire outside the scrub radius

-edit: which adds to the effects caster presents on the steering

(once again I find myself quoting myself)

ideally, the SAI (steering axis inclination) will coincide with the center of the contact patch for the tire. shifting the tire inwards or outwards moves the contact patch center away from the SAI "ideal" and because of that, will make the wheel more sensitive to road conditions. Additionally, if you think in terms of 'levers', pushing the tire outward allows the tire to apply more force to the steering linkage which will also amplify the feedback from the wheel to the driver.

Matt. I would do a test fit and see if spacers are needed.

I know they used mostly 16" diameter alloy wheels on 4-runners out there but i would check for wheel clearance on your 93 first.

And yeah, spacers are safe. I always used them on my SAS conversions.

Mike

________________________________

85 Toyota p/u 4X4 SBC 327
(and it's too damn powerful)

99 Toyota 4-runner 4X4
(wifeys)

69 Kaiser Jeepster Commando 4X4
(original 27k miles, my daily driver)

Yep, you got it. Caster is the same, but feels different...

I have some of those 1/4" spacers I want to stick on, but i am afraid of using up too much thread. Anybody know how much thread is enough to be safe? I litterally only need that little bit to clear my UCA's.

When I put my ball joint spacers in I ended up grinding about a 1/4 inch off the tip of the UCA to make the spacer fit . Is grinding the tip of the UCA off an option insted of using spacers? It took about 10 seconds to do and costs nothing.

Goatsucker, welcome to YotaTech!

I just came in from grinding the tip off my UCA's. I went almost all the way through in one spot. I hope there is enough metal around it to properly support the upper balljoint. I tried to put the 1/4" spacers on and I can only get the lug nuts to turn three or four times until they are tight, and that is not enough. I think I just have to save up for some 1" spacers. until then I will have to live with a little rub.

Buenos tacos señor chupacabre... ;)
Guessing you had to grind the end of the UCA so it didn't rub on the rim?
That happens when the backspacing of the rim isn't compatible with BJ spacers and is perfectly acceptible in lieu of wheel spacers.

actually I ground off the tip of the UCA on accident . the pictures that came with the ball joint spacer install instructions were faded and it said you need to remove material from the UCA.without knowing where exactly to cut I ended up taking some off from both the front and the back where the spacer goes. everything appears to seat just fine and the UCA hasn't shown any signs of weakening( cross my fingers ). The instructions did say it is common to have to remove the metal lip from the front to prevent wheel rub. I hope this is a sound practice or I'm going to be heading to the junk yards for new UCAs and maybe more.

Been running 1/4 Lordco spacers for a couple months and I am confident that there is enough thread on the studs. I could get a full 9 turns if I recall, which is enough.