Do spacers affect your car's drive?

abisson · 04-18-2011, 02:47 AM

Just a general question.

When you put spacers on your car, lets say 10.5mm, does it affect handling or anything like that?

Artmasterx · 04-18-2011, 04:11 AM

It probably depends on why you are using them.

If you are using them to push your wheels out 10mm, then it will affect handling because you are widening the track by 20mm, but it may not be enough to notice or worry about. It could also change your suspension geometry slightly, maybe some experts can weigh in on it.

If you are doing it to compensate for an aftermarket wheel that doesn't have the proper offset to fit the car, then maybe not. Again it depends on if the track width will change.

In general, I would suspect minimal handling changes, but I am not an expert.

Regardless, make sure you use the appropriate nuts/bolts that account for the spacers, the last thing you want is to sheer off bolts because they were too short and then drop one of the corners to the ground... that would a bad day, and really dangerous.

RioGrandeValley · 04-18-2011, 09:47 AM

Agree with above reply. I've seen 911s on track running 40mm but with that extreme it was significantly improving handling. As for our cars 20mm wider track I'd have to say not really. Only concerns I'd have are: tires rubbing if aftermarket wider wheels and tires,
Proper size bolts and finally getting an alignment to avoid uneven wear. Ive been running 10mm in front and 15mm on rear with 10" wheels. Only problem I have is rubbing but only thru bumpy roads. Nothing my volume knob can't drown out.

Tomato

sanage · 12-07-2014, 09:00 AM

Hmmm...nice...thanks for sharing.

D_o_S · 12-07-2014, 10:36 AM

I have only ever felt the negatives of spacers, TBH...

Had 15mm spacers installed on a GTR (all round) and the car felt unwanting to turn vs. without spacers...

ptack · 12-07-2014, 11:14 AM

You'd have to be an experienced driver on a track to really notice a difference with 10.5mm spacers. There are scores of other things (like having passengers) that would have greater impact on the handling.

IEDEI · 12-07-2014, 11:44 AM

YES.

spacers add lots of unnecessary unsprung weight...most of the time for just cosmetic reasons. in case you don't know about unsprung weight-----1lb of unsprung weight is equivelant to adding 7 to 9 lbs of sprung weight.

so those spacers that weigh 2 lbs each (may weigh more than that, in reality) and adding about 15 lbs per corner. 60 lbs total to the actual 'feel' of the car. But worse than that, the fact is that adding unsprung weight makes the car's handling duller, braking slower, and adds stress to the hub componenets.

avoid spacers, IMO.

04-18-2011, 02:47 AM	#1
abisson Canada FTW. 199 Rep 519 Posts Drives: 2016 VW R - Stg 2 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Maple Syrup Country iTrader: (0)	Do spacers affect your car's drive? Just a general question. When you put spacers on your car, lets say 10.5mm, does it affect handling or anything like that?
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04-18-2011, 04:11 AM	#2
Artmasterx Captain 48 Rep 886 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 Volvo V70R [10.00] 2007 BMW 335i [10.00]	It probably depends on why you are using them. If you are using them to push your wheels out 10mm, then it will affect handling because you are widening the track by 20mm, but it may not be enough to notice or worry about. It could also change your suspension geometry slightly, maybe some experts can weigh in on it. If you are doing it to compensate for an aftermarket wheel that doesn't have the proper offset to fit the car, then maybe not. Again it depends on if the track width will change. In general, I would suspect minimal handling changes, but I am not an expert. Regardless, make sure you use the appropriate nuts/bolts that account for the spacers, the last thing you want is to sheer off bolts because they were too short and then drop one of the corners to the ground... that would a bad day, and really dangerous. __________________ Current: 2007 335i sedan Alpine White \| Sports \| Premium \| Cold \| Comfort Access FORMERLY: 128i coupe Alpine White \| Sports Package \| Black Leather
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04-18-2011, 09:47 AM	#3
RioGrandeValley Major 59 Rep 1,024 Posts Drives: E92/E90 Depends on Mood Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Irving, TX iTrader: (1)	Agree with above reply. I've seen 911s on track running 40mm but with that extreme it was significantly improving handling. As for our cars 20mm wider track I'd have to say not really. Only concerns I'd have are: tires rubbing if aftermarket wider wheels and tires, Proper size bolts and finally getting an alignment to avoid uneven wear. Ive been running 10mm in front and 15mm on rear with 10" wheels. Only problem I have is rubbing but only thru bumpy roads. Nothing my volume knob can't drown out. Tomato
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12-07-2014, 09:00 AM	#4
sanage Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: suzuki Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: fsda iTrader: (0)	Hmmm...nice...thanks for sharing. __________________ Are you worried about 156-215.75 exam prep and Testking certification practice mica Check out our latest resources for www.quincy.edu dumps and University of Kansas
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12-07-2014, 10:36 AM	#5
D_o_S LCI'd 281 Rep 822 Posts Drives: 335i LCI Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Home iTrader: (1)	I have only ever felt the negatives of spacers, TBH... Had 15mm spacers installed on a GTR (all round) and the car felt unwanting to turn vs. without spacers...
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12-07-2014, 11:14 AM	#6
ptack Brigadier General 307 Rep 4,483 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [6.50]	You'd have to be an experienced driver on a track to really notice a difference with 10.5mm spacers. There are scores of other things (like having passengers) that would have greater impact on the handling. __________________ 135i, SGM, Coral, Sport Package, Auto, Premium Hifi, USB/ipod, Apex EC-7s, PPK Stage II
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12-07-2014, 11:44 AM	#7
IEDEI Banned 1136 Rep 4,686 Posts Drives: L'Orange Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Brooklyn, NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 1M [8.40]	YES. spacers add lots of unnecessary unsprung weight...most of the time for just cosmetic reasons. in case you don't know about unsprung weight-----1lb of unsprung weight is equivelant to adding 7 to 9 lbs of sprung weight. so those spacers that weigh 2 lbs each (may weigh more than that, in reality) and adding about 15 lbs per corner. 60 lbs total to the actual 'feel' of the car. But worse than that, the fact is that adding unsprung weight makes the car's handling duller, braking slower, and adds stress to the hub componenets. avoid spacers, IMO.
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