Morning all,

Has anyone used wheel spacers on their Yeti? I know some of the Ovtavia owners have but has anyone here yet and if so how wide and which make did you use?

If your wondering why? We'll I was washing the car and thought "wouldn't this look better with the wheels stepped out a little in line with the arch flares"

With the current arrangement 'peppering' the adjacent panels with stone chips might be a wrong move

if you value your paintwork.

Edited 3 September, 201411 yr by kibby

With the current arrangement 'peppering' the adjacent panels with stone chips might be a wrong move

if you value your paintwork.

I've not had any issues with stone chipping? Is that an issue you've had with yours?

With the current arrangement 'peppering' the adjacent panels with stone chips might be a wrong move

if you value your paintwork.

 

I ran various spacers upto 15mm depending on wheels on my Octavia, but yes on the Yeti, the point about stone chipping on the lower doors puts me off doing it.

Edited 3 September, 201411 yr by Nick P

Yes....the protective foil wasn't fitted on launch (later fitted when issue became apparent). Not sure if it

would now do the job with the spacers fitted but wouldn't improve matters.

Edited 3 September, 201411 yr by kibby

Why do you think you need to fit wheel spacers? Bling or assumed practicality?

 

A little research on here will bring up the "problems" of stone chipping and mud spray on the lower part of the car that will only be escalated by sticking the wheels out further.

Not to forget that upsetting the suspension and steering geometry can have unexpected consequences on handling, especially in the event of a tyre deflation. Wheel offset is not about looks, it is a fundamental part of the chassis geometry and affects how forces are leveraged through the various components, bushes and linkages.

Hear hear weasley. Safety first.

All taken on board but so far as i can see all the advice to date is based on theory? I've honestly never had any issue with mud spray or stone chipping on the bottom of the doors, so maybe it's been engineered out on the FL Yeti?

So nobody so far has actually used them on the Yeti?

Not to forget that upsetting the suspension and steering geometry can have unexpected consequences on handling, especially in the event of a tyre deflation. Wheel offset is not about looks, it is a fundamental part of the chassis geometry and affects how forces are leveraged through the various components, bushes and linkages.

Before I would do anything I would have everything looked at by the guys at Demon Tweeks plus all these parts are throughly tested I thought? And all conform to stringent European standards don't they?

Another way of looking at it is, the money that would give you the enjoyment of seeing your wheels stick out a few mm further, could mean the difference between life and death for someone more needy. 

All taken on board but so far as i can see all the advice to date is based on theory? I've honestly never had any issue with mud spray or stone chipping on the bottom of the doors, so maybe it's been engineered out on the FL Yeti?

So nobody so far has actually used them on the Yet?

 

So the numerous threads and comments on here about stone damage to the bottom of the doors, the actual experience of owners, and the number of reported warranty claims on this matter are all theory? 

 

Is this another example of your failed sense of humour?

 

I'm now guessing you only want them for the "bling" factor!

So the numerous threads and comments on here about stone damage to the bottom of the doors, the actual experience of owners, and the number of reported warranty claims on this matter are all theory?

Is this another example of your failed sense of humour?

I'm now guessing you only want them for the "bling" factor!

"Theory" was in reference to the fitting and usage of spacers on a Skoda Yeti not stone chipping, sorry for the confusion.

Another way of looking at it is, the money that would give you the enjoyment of seeing your wheels stick out a few mm further, could mean the difference between life and death for someone more needy.

I'm quite comfortable with how much I give to charity in comparison to what I spend on my hobbies, but thanks for the advice.

With the current arrangement 'peppering' the adjacent panels with stone chips might be a wrong move

if you value your paintwork.

Is this just on the pre FL Yeti, only ask because I've not had any issues to date (had mine since Feb) and will keep if eye out if still an issue Skoda need to fix?

"Theory" was in reference to to fixing and usage of spacers on a Skoda Yeti not stone chipping, sorry for the confusion.

 

Really?

 

So to answer the question you didn't ask, no, it appears that people haven't fitted wheel spacers because no-one has found the need to do so. 

Enough people on here have commented in the past how well handling the Yeti is, especially in 4x4 mode, so feel no need to fit dubious aids. Plus they have concerns that it will probably exacerbate a know "problem" of stone chipping.

 

Every time you post about another of your "mods" I keep seeing a "Wide-boy Vitara".

Really?

 

So to answer the question you didn't ask, no, it appears that people haven't fitted wheel spacers because no-one has found the need to do so. 

Enough people on here have commented in the past how well handling the Yeti is, especially in 4x4 mode, so feel no need to fit dubious aids. Plus they have concerns that it will probably exacerbate a know "problem" of stone chipping.

 

Every time you post about another of your "mods" I keep seeing a "Wide-boy Vitara".

I was thinking more in terms of aesthetics than handling improvement, I do think it handles OK, but as people like Boss Fox have shown, things can always be improved. I enjoy looking at ways to tastefully personalise my cars and use forums to glean from the knowledge of people who have worked extensively on cars.

Funny thing is, when I post in the General section or other forums I seem to get much more in terms of practical advice which weighs the personal opinions out to form a debate. On here there often seems to be more opinion than advice making new users feel 'jumped on'.

Maybe something to bare in mind if you want to attract the many younger Skoda drivers who do enjoy exploring possible ways to personal and or modify their cars.

Do a search on here about the age range of Yeti owners, that may answer one question.

 

I have given you advice and that advice comes from over 4 years of Yeti ownership and many years involved in many aspects and training in motoring and motor sport. However it seems that when people do give you advice and that doesn't coincide with the answer you want you then choose to argue or ridicule them. That isn't the way to get further advice from people and has been shown today results in people adding you to their Ignore list.

 

You do come over as very antagonistic compared to the Vicars and Rabbis I know.

Do a search on here about the age range of Yeti owners, that may answer one question.

I have given you advice and that advice comes from over 4 years of Yeti ownership and many years involved in many aspects and training in motoring and motor sport. However it seems that when people do give you advice and that doesn't coincide with the answer you want you then choose to argue or ridicule them. That isn't the way to get further advice from people and has been shown today results in people adding you to their Ignore list.

You do come over as very antagonistic compared to the Vicars and Rabbis I know.

What has my faith or profession have to do with wheel spacers!! But I can introduce you to some very antagonistic vicars and rabbis if you like

As I said, I have listened to everything which was said about a stone chipping issue some Yetis had and I will monitor my Yeti as I hadn't heard of the issue or had that particular issue yet myself.

I then was just trying to find out if any one had used spacers on a Yeti, if they have did they have issues with stone chipping? As no one has responded to the question of spacer use then I can't say one way or the other if it would cause any issues, either with handling or stone chipping.

Your original comments of "Why do you think you need to fit wheel spacers? Bling or assumed practicality?

A little research on here will bring up the "problems" of stone chipping and mud spray on the lower part of the car that will only be escalated by sticking the wheels out further."

We'll because I like the look, and yes if you like to call it bling, I think you've misunderstood the meaning of bling though.

And you're assumption that it would exasperate a historical Yeti problem never experienced on the FL Yetis to my knowledge, well, I was just saying, we don't know if it's not been tried.

Can't seem to understand what the big issue is, but if people want to add me to an ignore list there's nothing I can do about that. But I've had more messages of support than the couple of people who seem to have taken a dislike and for some reason seem to have an issue with my faith, which I've only mentioned when they have brought it up!

Maybe I should leave modifying questions to the general forum.

Go for 'em son!!

Sadly this is another thread which is verging on ridiculous.

The fact that the op has a certain vocation is not relevant to the thread(s) and needn't be mentioned. No one has to reply (and certainly not more than once) with advice and opinions about suspension, wheels and stance which is ultimately down to the owner's choice and taste. The yeti section of briskoda is not a modifying forum and as such isn't going to encourage the "Looks wicked, but needs lows m8" response you find on the likes of edition38.

Whilst I don't enjoy seeing the established contributors disagree with most of what a new poster brings to the table, I struggle to understand why someone would continue to take personal critism and offer thread after thread of modifications (which could have been combined) that seemingly raise the hackles of the forum.

The phrase don't feed the troll comes to mind and it works both ways in this instance. OP maybe make your own decision about which wheels you like or whether you want to run spacers, as you often don't get useful responses. Others of you, you might not need to continue to reply when your opinions aren't necessarily respected.

Just my 2p, no disrespect intended.

Edited 3 September, 201411 yr by ben4012

Think your right ben4012,

I'm done I think, leave them to it, seems it's not the place for the likes of me.

Very few of the Yetiist's use the other parts of this forum, which has been a complaint used against us in the past, therefore you will not get much model specific advice there. That is why there are model specific sections here. In fact you are likely to get threads moved into this section if you ask model specific questions in the General section.

 

As you might have seen Yeti ownership is in general more to the senior/mature end of the age range, and therefore it appears to be a group that are not interested in "modify" their cars very much. If they do it is more in the practical aspects, such as bulbs, tow bars and protection. I think Richard is the only member who has looked at fitting wheel spacers and then only for his track car. In his case I do not think he is a good example of what you are trying to do, as his is far more specialised.

 

The matter of stone chips has been well reported in these forums, which I hope you have now looked at, The fact that yours hasn't yet suffered does not mean it won't happen. From my experience if you put your wheels further out from the body then you will get more spray and stones along the flanks of the car. That is bound to happen. You will also increase the load on the wheel bearings and suspension mountings. With my motorsport hat on, it is something I would not do, and is in fact banned in some motorsport spheres.

 

Remember this is a DISCUSSION forum and people have every right to disagree in a discussion, otherwise it isn't a discussion. If you think someone has broken the forum rules then report them to the Mods and let them make the decision.

The stone chipping... is a known issue on the Pre-FL Yeti.

Due to this Skoda fitted film on the rear doors to offer some protection to this issue.

The same film is applied to the FL Yeti.

The physical shape & dimensions of the side of the Yeti are the same for pre- and post- facelift.

 

My N/S/R door on my FACELIFT Yeti has a nasty great smack in it where it has been hit by a stone - right on the edge of the paint protection film - so much so it has actually lifted the film at the point of impact.

 

As a result - would I recommend spacers on the Yeti? No - and not just because of the stone chipping, but also for safety, comfort, handling - and not giving Skoda UK a reason to invalidate my warranty if I were to suffer issues later on which could be attributed to adding spacers.

I think that 137699 gives a great answer and advice to the question being asked about the yeti on the yeti forum which is why I use it and I feel that some members are not being fair and friendly to other members because of the questions they ask ,as they do not have the knowledge or experience of members with longer yeti ownership.looking at some of the replies of late they appear to be way beyond what I would expect from some members,just my thoughts.