spacers

yellowperil · 06-26-2009, 03:43 AM

Wondering how safe are 6.5 mm nonhubcentric spacers, What's the general opinion is on these, in regards to my 911 rear hubs? Wanted to help fill out rear fender well but now am reluctant to use these. I know they are highly NOT recommended for my BMW 325; maybe in fact not available for the BMW . Why would they even sell these if unsafe. Am I being over cautious??

javadog · 06-26-2009, 04:01 AM

Always use hubcentric spacers. I don't know why they even bother to make non-hubcentric ones.

JR

JerryL · 06-26-2009, 04:03 AM

These are most likley made from 1/4" aluminum, hoprfully 6061-T6, if they are made accurately (as in a concentric pattern with all features bolt circle, ID & OD along with a pretty close tolerance on the clearance holes for the studs) there is nothing wrong with them.
I make them at work off & on laser cutting them, they work fine, I like to keep a stack of 2mm ones around for tuning that filled out look.

Check your clearance on the wheel well and how much thread engagement you have on the lug nuts, seat of the pants I would not go much over the 1/4" spacer with out going to longer studs.

Hell even Porsche supplied a 8mm aluminum spacer on the rear for 68, anf they look like they were punched in a tool vs machined.

Regards

yellowperil · 06-26-2009, 04:47 AM

Thanks for the info- I see now that these are well made, with snug fitting bolt holes (not elongated or uni-lug style) and thin enough (6.5mm) to still make use of the hubcentricity. No panic now. I had wondered, from other threads, why some seemed to be concerned about having to glue these spacers in place. These are from Pelican and seemed well made, no glue necessary. Also just enough to make a subtle change.

javadog · 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellowperil

I see now that these are...thin enough (6.5mm) to still make use of the hubcentricity.

You don't say what specific car you are putting these on. Before you assume that you will maintain the hubcentric feature of your stock wheels and hubs, install one of these on a hub and measure how much of the hub protrudes through the spacer and compare this to the recess in your wheel that is designed to fit over the hub protrusion.

Read this thread: Am I crazy to use Krazy Glue to bond metal to metal?

Then read this one, to see what success this guy had: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/482116-spacers-cause-my-front-end-vibration.html#post4745113

JR

yellowperil · 06-26-2009, 05:55 AM

I will do that, but would I not be correct in thinking I will have 6.5 MM LESS than before and then decide my public opinion whether that is enoughr or not?? BTW I will post a before, during and after photo, so other less than talented mechanics like myself can get an idea on this, yhanks for your help

javadog · 06-26-2009, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellowperil

I will do that, but would I not be correct in thinking I will have 6.5 MM LESS than before and then decide my public opinion whether that is enoughr or not?? BTW I will post a before, during and after photo, so other less than talented mechanics like myself can get an idea on this, yhanks for your help

I'm thinking it's doubtful that you'll have any of the hub protruding through the spacer, thus you'll not have anything for the wheel to center itself on. I mentioned the wheel because many of them have either a radiused or beveled edge in the back side of the center hole, so your hub has to protrude past that point on the wheel before it does any good centering it.

I brought up the other recent thread for you to read because someone else hasa just been down this road without success. There are several hubcentic spacers available in the 5-7mm range, so why make it hard on yourself?

JR

yellowperil · 06-26-2009, 08:05 AM

I hadn't been able to find any H-C in that range, at least not at Pelican or Performance., but will look harder. I'm including some before and after pics for now. First two are before; last two after, and car hasn't settled from being on jack. I see what you mean as there is very litte HC past the spacer.

911st · 06-26-2009, 08:14 AM

You might want to change to steel lug nuts at a minimum, longer studs by the same amount would be preferred.

I believe with alloy lug nuts you want a minimum of 1.5 times the stud width in engagement.

Will you get away with what you have done without issue? Probably.

yellowperil · 06-27-2009, 06:20 AM

Measured the remaining hubcenticity and appears to have usable 3mm still remaining. Better than none, I guess