Wheel spacers: purpose, types and installation rules

Wheel spacers are parts that are installed between the car's hub and the wheel rim. They cheat disc ejection (ET), increasing the distance between the wheel and the body. At first glance, this is a simple metal plate, but its influence on the behavior of the machine can be both positive and negative. Drivers install spacers for a variety of reasons, from purely aesthetic (to make the wheels look wider and more aggressive) to practical (for example, to fit wider tires or prevent wheel friction from fender liners).

However, not everyone knows that incorrect selection or installation of spacers can lead to accelerated wear of the suspension, deterioration in controllability or even loss of car warranty (unless the changes are certified by the manufacturer). In this article, we will look at in which cases spacers are really necessary, what types there are, how to select and install them correctly, and what mistakes car owners most often make.

Why install wheel spacers: main reasons

Spacers are not a standard element of the suspension, so their installation always serves specific purposes. Let's look at the most common cases when car owners resort to this tuning.

• 🔧 Installing non-standard disks. If you want to install wheels with a smaller offset (ET) than specified by the manufacturer, spacers will help compensate for the difference and avoid wheel friction on body elements.
• 🚗 Improved appearance. Spacers visually widen the wheel, making the car more “squat” and sporty. Especially relevant for owners VW Golf, BMW 3-series or Audi A4, where the factory offset often appears too "recessed".
• 🔄 Wheel alignment adjustment. If the offset changes significantly, it may be necessary to readjust the wheel alignment angles, otherwise the tires will wear unevenly.
• 🛠️ Solving technical problems. For example, after installing wide tires or lowering the suspension, the wheels may cling to the arches. Spacers help "move" the wheel outward.

However, spacers are not always a justified solution. For example, if you just want to fit wider tires, it may be enough to select wheels with the correct offset without resorting to additional parts. In addition, on some vehicles (especially with multi-link suspension) a change in offset can lead to accelerated wear of silent blocks and ball joints.

Types of wheel spacers: what they are and how they differ

All spacers can be divided into two large groups: universal and individual. The former are suitable for most cars, the latter are made for a specific model, taking into account its technical features. They also differ in material, thickness and method of fastening.

1. According to the material of manufacture

• 🔩 Aluminum. Lightweight, corrosion resistant, but more expensive than steel. Suitable for sports cars where weight is important.
• 🛠️ Steel. Cheaper and more durable, but heavier and can rust if the coating is damaged.
• 🧲 Polyurethane. Flexible, used for temporary solutions (for example, when testing a new departure). Not suitable for continuous use.

2. By thickness

The thickness of the spacers varies from 3 mm up to 50 mm and more. The thicker the spacer, the more the offset changes and the greater the load on the wheel bearings. The optimal range for most passenger cars is 10–25 mm.

3. According to the method of fastening

• 🔗 With centering ring. Ensures precise fit of the disc on the hub, reducing vibrations.
• 🔄 With extra holes. Allows you to adjust the reach within a small range.
• 🔧 With extended bolts. They require replacement of standard bolts or studs with longer ones.

Spacer type	Benefits	Disadvantages	Recommendations for use
Aluminum	Lightweight, do not rust	Expensive, less durable	Sports cars, tuning
Steel	Durable, cheap	Heavy, may rust	Budget solutions, SUVs
Polyurethane	Flexible, cheap	Short-lived, not for regular use	Crash testing, temporary solutions

When choosing spacers, be sure to consider center hole diameter (it must match the diameter of the hub) and mounting hole size (PCD). For example, for Toyota Corolla with PCD 5×114.3 Not all universal spacers will fit.

How to choose the right spacers: step-by-step instructions

Incorrectly selected spacers can lead to vibrations at high speeds, uneven tire wear or even wheel separation. To avoid these problems, follow the algorithm:

1. Determine the current disc offset (ET). This can be found on the disc label (eg ET45) or in the technical documentation of the vehicle.
2. Calculate the required flight. If you need to "pull" the wheel to 20 mm, and the current ET is 45, then there should be a new departure 25 (or install a spacer thick 20 mm).
3. Check compatibility with PCD and centering hole. For example, for Ford Focus PCD is 5×108, and the diameter of the centering hole is 63.4 mm.
4. Consider the width of the rim. The wider the rim, the greater the offset (or thicker the spacer) must be so that the wheel does not catch on the arch.
5. Consult a specialist. If you are not sure about the calculations, it is better to contact a tuning studio, where they will do 3D modeling and check compatibility.

Determine the current disc offset (ET)

Calculate the required spacer thickness

Check compatibility of PCD and centering hole

Consider the width of the rim and tires

Consult a suspension specialist -->

Pay special attention material and workmanship. Cheap spacers made of low-quality aluminum or steel can deform under load, which will lead to wheel runout. The best option is spacers from trusted brands, such as H&R, Eibach or BBS.

What happens if you install spacers of the wrong thickness?

If the spacer is too thin, the wheel will remain “recessed” and the problem of friction against the arches will not be solved. If it is too thick, the load on the wheel bearings will increase, handling will deteriorate, and the tires will wear out at the edges. In extreme cases this can lead to wheel coming off while driving, especially if the bolts were not replaced with extended ones.

Installing spacers: step-by-step process and possible errors

Installing spacers is a procedure that you can do yourself if you have experience working with suspension. However, we recommend leaving this to professionals, as mistakes can be costly. Here are the main steps:

1. Preparing tools. You will need: a jack, wheel wrench, torque wrench, new extended bolts (if required), rust remover and brake thread lube.
2. Removing the wheel. Raise the car, remove the wheel and clean the hub of dirt and rust. Check the condition of the wheel bearing - if there is play, it needs to be replaced up to installing spacers.
3. Installing the spacer. Place the spacer on the hub, aligning the mounting holes. Make sure it fits snugly with no gaps.
4. Wheel mount. Install the disc onto the spacer and tighten the bolts criss-cross with the force specified in the vehicle's owner's manual (usually 90–120 Nm).
5. Check. After installing all the wheels, lower the car and check for vibrations when driving at speed. 80–100 km/h.

⚠️ Attention! Never use standard bolts if the spacer thickness exceeds 10 mm. Extended bolts must protrude from the nut by at least 5–6 threads, otherwise the fastening will be unreliable.

One of the most common mistakes is incorrect tightening of bolts. If you overtighten, you can break the threads in the hub; If you don't tighten it enough, the wheel may come loose. Always use a torque wrench and follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.

Also after installing spacers be sure to do a wheel alignment. Changing the wheel offset affects the alignment angles, and if they are not corrected, the tires will wear unevenly and the vehicle may “pull” to the side.

The impact of spacers on handling and safety

Spacers are changed center of gravity and suspension load, which inevitably affects the behavior of the car. Let's look at what changes to expect:

• ⚖️ Increased load on wheel bearings. The thicker the spacer, the more leverage the wheel creates relative to the hub. This accelerates bearing wear, especially when driving on bad roads.
• 🚗 Change in controllability. The car may become more “rolly” when cornering, especially at high speeds. This is due to the shift of the wheel's center of mass outward.
• 🔄 Increased tire wear. If the wheel alignment is not done, the tires will be “eaten” from the inside or outside.
• 🛑 Deterioration of braking dynamics. Due to the changed force arm, the brakes work less efficiently, especially on vehicles with disc brakes.

To minimize negative consequences, adhere to the following rules:

• Do not install thicker spacers 25 mm without consulting a specialist.
• Use only high-quality spacers with a certificate of conformity.
• Regularly (every 10,000 km) check the condition of the wheel bearings and fasteners.
• Avoid sudden maneuvers at high speeds, especially if the spacers are thicker 15 mm.

⚠️ Attention! On some modern cars (for example, Volkswagen Golf MK7 or Skoda Octavia A7) Electronic stability control (ESP) systems may not operate correctly after installing spacers. This is due to changes in suspension geometry. In such cases, it is necessary to reflash the control unit or disable some of the ESP functions.

Myths and misconceptions about wheel spacers

There are many myths surrounding spacers, which often mislead car owners. Let's look at the most common ones:

Myth 1: "Spacers ruin the suspension"

In fact, spacers do not spoil the suspension on their own, but increase the load on its elements. If the suspension is in good condition and the spacers are installed correctly, negative consequences can be avoided. However, on worn-out cars (with old silent blocks or balls), spacers will actually speed up the failure of these parts.

Myth 2: "Spacers improve handling"

This is only true for racing cars, where spacers are used to fine-tune the camber. On ordinary cars, on the contrary, they worsen handling, as they increase the rolling arm and shift the center of mass.

Myth 3: “You can install spacers of any thickness”

This is a dangerous misconception. Spacers are thicker 30 mm require serious modifications to the suspension (reinforced hubs, modified lever geometry), otherwise the risk of an accident increases significantly.

Myth 4: “Spacers are only needed for tuning”

In fact, they are often installed for practical reasons as well. For example, on Mitsubishi Outlander or Toyota RAV4 Spacers help avoid wheel friction on the fender liners after installing larger winter tires.

Alternatives to spacers: when you can do without them

Whether your goal is to improve the appearance of your car or to avoid wheel friction, spacers aren't always the only solution. Let's look at the alternatives:

• 🔄 Wheels with a different offset. Often it is enough to choose wheels with a lower ET to achieve the desired effect without spacers. For example, instead of ET45 you can take it ET35.
• 🚘 Wide arches or fender liners. If the problem is friction, you can install extended plastic fender liners (for example, from Rally Armor).
• 🔧 Adjustable suspension. On some vehicles (for example, Subaru Impreza or BMW M3) you can adjust the camber and toe without spacers.
• 🛠️ Lowering the suspension taking into account ground clearance. If the wheels are rubbing due to lowering, it may be enough to raise the car to 10–15 mm using adjustable springs.

Before installing spacers, evaluate whether the problem can be solved another way. For example, if you don't like the way your wheels look, it may be enough to swap out the rims for a model with a more aggressive design (eg. BBS CH-R or OZ Racing Ultraleggera).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about wheel spacers

Is it possible to install spacers of different thicknesses on the front and rear axles?

Technically it is possible, but this will lead to uneven controllability. The car may wander on the road, and tire wear will be uneven. If installing spacers, try to use the same thickness on both axles. The exception is special tuning projects, where different thicknesses are technically justified (for example, for adjusting camber on racing cars).

Do I need to change wheel bearings after installing spacers?

Not necessary right away, but their resource will be reduced. If the spacers are thicker 15 mm, the bearings will wear out in 1.5–2 times faster. It is recommended to check their condition every 20,000 km and replace at the first sign of play or hum.

Is it possible to drive with spacers in winter?

Yes, but with caution. In winter, the load on the suspension is higher due to poor road surfaces and frequent falling into potholes. If the spacers are thicker 20 mm, the risk of damage to the hub or levers increases. Also keep in mind that wide wheels with spacers may perform worse on snow due to reduced pressure on the surface.

How to check if the wheel will fall off after installing spacers?

After installation:

1. Check the tightening of the bolts with a torque wrench (the torque is indicated in the car manual).
2. Drive 50–100 km and recheck the tightness.
3. Make sure the spacer fits snugly against the hub without any play.
4. Check for vibrations at speed 100+ km/h.

If everything is in order, the risk of the wheel coming off is minimal. However, regularly (once every 5,000 km) check the condition of the bolts and spacers.

Can I install spacers myself?

It is possible if you have experience working with suspension and the necessary tools (jack, torque wrench, extended bolts). However, we recommend contacting a service technician as installation errors (such as incorrect tightening or PCD misalignment) may result in emergency situations. This is especially true for cars with aluminum suspension arms (for example, Audi A6 or Mercedes E-Class), where overtightening the bolts can damage the threads.