Hi all.

Before you all stare to the heavens and mutter "not another one", a question if I may.

I am pondering fitting 15mm Eibach Hubcentric Spacers (and corresponding longer bolts) to the rear only of my Combi to address the wheels sit too far inboard appearance, which seems to be a popular mod round these parts.

You read horror stories about wheels falling off, strange handling issues, prematurely worn wheel bearings etc. etc.

Surely if these sort of the things are the result there wouldn't be a market for them would there?

Am I being over cautious or are there genuine pitfalls to fitting them?

Sorry if covered elsewhere but I did have a quick check...

It's pure physics that a longer lever will put more pressure on the bearings. How much extra force that is, and how much sooner it causes the part(s) to fail is the debate, and the choice you make when fitting them.

 

Long story short: it WILL reduce the life of the bearings. But, how much by, you can't really predict.

Ok, the bearing thing makes sense Mort, thank you.

Adverse handling? My crude line of thought is that having a slightly wider track wouldn't be a bad thing?

You are changing the suspension geometry, you are effectively changing the wheel offset, so the centre line of the tyre is in a different position in relation to the centre line of the suspension. Seem to remember that this is all to do with scrub radius, but is more to do with the front wheels.

 

I wouldn't worry about it on the rear, but I would be concerned about altering the ET of a wheel by 15mm on the front.

 

If you are bored

http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/tech-kpi.php

Cheers Andyvee, as it happens I have some spare time this evening so will have a read.

The fronts seem ok tbh, 5mm tops would see them right or at least I think so based on my slightly tired Homebase tape measure.

5mm on the front won't be noticeable, the difference in ET's used on different width rims varies by that much from the factory.

 

The steering might feel slightly heavier and you may get slightly more tyre wear, but to be honest I doubt if you would even be able to tell on either count.

 

I once fitted 25mm spacers to a Mini all round along with reverse Cooper S banded steel rims - it looked the dogs danglies but the handling was better without .........

I've put 15mm on the back and 10mm on the front on mine and I can't say I've noticed any difference in handling on a regular 340 mile journey mainly on motorways but with the first and last 30 miles on single carriageway, carried out in a "quick but considerate manner" -if you know what I mean!

Never put spacers on a car before, so it is/was a bit of an experiment. All seems good at moment, no bearing noise or unusual tyre wear. Shortly to put my winter wheels on, so they already look "hidden" inside the wheel arches, spacers should improve the look.

Hi,
I am thinking to put some wheel spacers on my car. 20mm on the back and 10 mm on the front.
From your experience, what dealers say about these wheel spacers? Do you know about warranty issues because of these? I mean, do I have to take them off each time I go to the dealer/ service?
Do you think that after I mount these spacers (20 mm in the back and 10 mm in the front) I should adjust the geometry?
I am putting all these questions because it is a company car and I just want to avoid any problems following this action.
Another way to improve the looks of my car is to change the rims with another model that has lower ET... but I like how these original rims look like.
BR
Cip

Hi Cip,

 

Changing the ET to a lower number (say, 31mm for this case as the stock ET is 51mm) is the same as adding a 20mm spacer in terms of geometry. The result will create the same effect of putting additional twisting load to the bearings etc.  As others have said, the rear is quite easy. The front less so due to many angles combining together.  What ever you do, do not touch the geometry of the car.

 

One other thing to consider its kerbing.  The wider you go the more likely you are to kerb the rims.

 

FWIW my winter wheels are 45mm ET and it makes no noticable difference to the handling.  My Alfa's are 33mm so there will be more force on the bearings than on the Octy (assuming all else is fairly equal - which it looks on  first inspection) so in terms of wear, unless you drive with a huge load in the boot regularly I doubt it will make a whole lot of difference.  There are cars out there with negative ET so even if the suspension is set up for this the bearings will still take a bashing (comparatively).  

 

For warranty... it depends on your conscience if you are prepared to take them off for a visit to the dealer.

Edited 13 November, 201411 yr by Smeghead

OK, I am somehow convinced to buy and put on some spacers.
Can you please share, those of you who use spacers, what dimensions are you using?
I will try to make some measurements but I guess getting inspired from your experience is better.

I'm using 15 on the back and 12 on the front albeit with et56 wheels

The car looks better but seems to drive pretty much the same

Edited 20 November, 201411 yr by V6Jules

I ran with spacers on a previous car for over 2 1/2 years with no issues at all. From memory they were between 15 & 20 mm. Car wasn't lowered but wheels were 2" bigger than stock.

I'll probably go for 20mm back, 12mm front, or as second pick, 15mm back, 10mm front. But that's a spring project.

Thank you for your answers.

I am thinking about 15mm in the back and 10 mm in front; but that depends what measurements (in weekend) will show.
@ My Pug 10G. Thanks for that confirmation. I was struggling with this decision, to put or not spacers.

 

My aim is just to improve the look.

 

BR

Cip