How to make yer Fuchs Fat!

[Por_sha911]

Here are 16x7s with 21mm adapters:

[Zeke]

Think about what you are about to do if you follow (foolow) this thread and advice. Just filling out the wheel well is pure bling and serves less purpose than what is accomplished.

First of all, your spring rate (or bar rate) decreases as you add width to the car. Oh, you can add width in both directions (wider wheel, different backset) and stay the same, but that;s not what spacers or adapters do.

2ndly, spacers are one thing using super long studs, but adapters are another adding a weak link in your tire/wheel/hub ass'y.

I haven't used any adapters since my college VW days in the 60's. I wouldn't give them a 2nd thought today even though the design and strength has got to be better.

I'll let others add their info behind this.

[Bobboloo]

For what it's worth wouldn't the spring rate be less affected by spacers on the rear as opposed to the front. On the front the radius is increased by a spacer since the torsion bar is mounted longitudinally but on the rear the radius is not particularly increased. Moving the rear wheel rearward would increase the radius.

Just thinking aloud.

[Dixie]

I think "Sevens and spacers" is a stupid look. It makes the car look bow-legged since the tires are not bigger, only pushed out. As for the driver, it makes you look like your last car was an automatic Honda Civic DX with a big wing and a coffee can muffler.

This is the proper look you're after.








(Okay, black lug nuts would help.)

Just say no to spacers ...

[DanielDudley]

I think in general one uses spacers to correct offset. Correcting appearance is fine, but the load on the bearings is going to be different. Might cause premature wear, and I believe some mechanics are firmly against incorrect offsets. In practice, I don't think it is too crazy, and bearings are pretty robust. My old 928 mechanic used to space out all rear 7in. rims one inch, but he was not the sharpest tool.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Bobboloo

For what it's worth wouldn't the spring rate be less affected by spacers on the rear as opposed to the front. On the front the radius is increased by a spacer since the torsion bar is mounted longitudinally but on the rear the radius is not particularly increased. Moving the rear wheel rearward would increase the radius.

Just thinking aloud.

Maybe. But, my theory is that regardless of how the car is sprung, and from what pick up point, the leverage of a wider track will change the rate (independent suspension cars). I seem to remember that on a long ago thread someone pointed out what you are saying as more the case. But, I think it came down to a discussion of body roll in corners and straight line compression and rebound. I'm not sure what the final consensus was.

Now, when I put wider wheels on my truck, with a smaller backset, the suspension did change a lot in the front. It constantly bottomed out. The rear, being a solid axle, was not affected in a straight line. Since my truck is not the optimal track car, I can't tell you what the overall handling was like. I took the wheels off, going back to factory 7's instead of the 8's, and the truck became a lot more comfortable again.

I still say, "Think about what you are doing."

[rnln]

Originally Posted by milt

Now, when I put wider wheels on my truck, with a smaller backset, the suspension did change a lot in the front. It constantly bottomed out.

Base on personal experience, what do you think was happening?