11-15-2020, 04:22 PM | #1 |
Drives: 2018 Camaro V6/RS Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: MI
Posts: 1,596
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spacer vs wheel offset
Does a wheel with say a 32mm offset cause the same exact overall stress as the exact same wheel again, but with a 35mm offset, and with a 3mm spacer added, making it 32mm again? So basically both wheels are exactly the same diameter, width, and design in this scenario.
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11-15-2020, 06:49 PM | #2 |
Drives: 2016 2SS Convertible Join Date: May 2012
Location: St. Louis, MO
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One issue is that spacers can reduce the lug nut thread depth and at some point that becomes dangerous.
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11-15-2020, 06:58 PM | #3 |
Drives: 2018 Camaro V6/RS Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: MI
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Yes I definitely knew that, but in the scenario above I'm almost positive that it won't be an issue. I'm just wondering if things like wheel bearing and suspension wear will be basically identical over time
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11-16-2020, 07:13 AM | #4 |
Drives: 2017 Camaro 2.0T, 91 Miata Join Date: Jan 2020
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I think a spacer will add more wear on bearings and the such as compared to the equivalent wheel offset. It's adding more weight to the equation, and moving the center of weight on the wheel out. That being said, a 3mm spacer would be pretty negligible. I wouldn't put too much thought into it.
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11-16-2020, 07:47 AM | #5 | |
Drives: 2018 Camaro V6/RS Join Date: Nov 2018
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11-16-2020, 09:12 AM | #6 |
Drives: 2017 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2016
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I'd actually argue that it won't change anything measurably except for lug strain from thread engagement as Mark mentioned.
From a load standpoint, your load application point (i.e. contact patch) and the vehicle reaction point (where loads are transferred into the rotor face/hub) are in the exact same spot in both cases. That means all your loads and moments are going to be the same in each case from the perspective of all the OE vehicle components. It doesn't matter what's between the contact patch and the rotor/hub face in this scenario unless it drastically changes mass or stiffness, which spacers typically do not. From a mass standpoint, you're not significantly changing the mass because there has to be material added or removed somewhere to make up the difference. We're also talking on the scale of ounces for spacers that small, nothing out of the range of what could potentially be added for balancing wheels even. Inertia will be slightly impacted since wheel CG will be slightly different, but like the additional few ounces of mass it won't have any meaningful or measurable impact to overall loads going into the vehicle since worst case loading is heavy impacts like potholes. Same could even be said for larger spacers like 1" and even larger to a point; mass and inertias won't change enough to cause any measurable difference to stress for the bearings and other vehicle components. You'll likely get a bigger mass/inertia change from swapping away from OE wheels than you will from adding a spacer, and that also wouldn't negatively impact it. For where to buy I'd suggest amazon or ebay. Would expect you can find some cheap no-name ones there that will do the job without issue, just have to find one with the right bolt pattern and large enough center bore.
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11-16-2020, 09:22 AM | #7 |
Drives: 2019 ZL1 Crush Join Date: Jan 2019
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No extra strain whatsoever, just wheel stud engagement as you already know
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11-16-2020, 09:31 AM | #8 | |
Drives: 2018 Camaro V6/RS Join Date: Nov 2018
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11-16-2020, 09:34 AM | #9 |
Drives: 2018 Camaro V6/RS Join Date: Nov 2018
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11-16-2020, 10:47 AM | #10 | ||
Drives: 2017 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2016
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As for the cheaper vs. more expensive spacers, main difference is likely manufacturing location which impacts quality control. More expensive ones are at likely coated and/or machined in the US and material might even be US sourced as well which is typically more expensive but more consistent in terms of quality. Tolerances are probably a little looser on the on the cheaper one (like ±0.1mm instead of 0.01mm) and material might not be as high of a grade, but at the end of the day it's just a piece of aluminum sandwiched between the wheel and rotor face. As long as it's flat/parallel enough and fits over the lugs there shouldn't be any issues. It's a pretty easy manufacturing process and material quality of stuff coming from low cost-of-production regions has significantly improved over the last 5/10 years, so the risk of getting crummy parts is pretty low. Correct, a 5mm spacer seems to be about the threshold from my experience and others I've seen on here before wanting to look for longer studs. Will vary based on wheel and aftermarket lug design, though. I had 3.5 threads engaged on an Apex wheel with a 5mm spacer. Did a few track days on it and had no issues but swapped to Silverado studs to get the extra 3mm length just to be safe when I had everything apart for a brake job.
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11-16-2020, 11:04 AM | #11 | |
Drives: 2016 2SS Convertible Join Date: May 2012
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11-16-2020, 01:16 PM | #12 |
Drives: 2013 C6Z06 Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: PA
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Alpha explains it well and I agree with him on cheap spacers up to probably 7mm. When going to 12mm or larger spacers (obviously with extended studs) i would say to pay extra for the proper hub-centric spacers to keep the wheel centered perfectly as they are thicker than the stock hub protrusion.
I run Ebay 5mm spacers for a BMW hub and have Motorsport-Tech 12mm hub-centric Camaro spacers. I run the ARP studs. |
11-16-2020, 01:34 PM | #13 |
Drives: 2018 Camaro V6/RS Join Date: Nov 2018
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Thanks guys. Sounds like the the cheaper eBay ones will be just fine then at 3mm. The ZL1 Add-ons are like $100 with shipping for 4 spacers, and that just seems way overpriced for something like this. Also, will there be any issue with running hub bore adapters with the spacers? Stock hub bore is 66.9, and the wheel is 74.1.
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11-16-2020, 02:20 PM | #14 |
Drives: 2013 C6Z06 Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: PA
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No issues with the hub ring and spacer. I run them when I run my 19s.
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