Wheel spacers effect on handling

[doozer]

Does spacing out the front wheels (using spacers) have a negative effect on handling??

[Chuck Moreland]

Front spacers reduce the wheel rate by effectively lengthening the control arm.

They increase the scrub radius, making steering effort a bit heavier.

They widen the track.

They change the ackerman angle.

These are not necessarily negatives.

[doozer]

As always, Thanks Chuck!

[Miguel Antonett]

Also, by lenghtening the control arm effect you increase the negative camber generating more inside wear on your front tires. I would say that handling gets better.

[Chuck Moreland]

Actually spacers do not effect camber because they are on the outboard side of the strut. acheiving increased camber requires lengthening the control arm inboard of the strut.

[doozer]

Correct, no change in camber at the centerline, but the travel of the leading edge of the wheel/tire will be greater.

[stlrj]

Moving the front wheels out adds stress to the outer wheel bearings which are smaller and weaker compared to larger inner bearings which could cause them to fail prematurely.


Cheers,

Joe