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Wheel 101
4 mins read

Wheel Spacers: Are They Good or Bad?

Wheel spacers are a popular aftermarket accessory that many car enthusiasts use to improve their vehicle's handling and appearance. However, with any modification to your vehicle, it's important to consider the safety implications.
Written by
Alec Whitten
Published on
17 January 2022

Wheel spacers are a popular aftermarket accessory that many car enthusiasts use to improve their vehicle's handling and appearance. However, with any modification to your vehicle, it's important to consider the safety implications. In this article, we will explore the question of whether wheel spacers are safe to use or not.

Wheel Spacer Kit (Picture from Internet)

Wheel spacers are essentially thick washer plates that are placed between the wheel and the hub assembly. They are designed to add space between wheel mounting surface and hub to increase the track width of your vehicle, which can enhance its stability and improve its handling. Wheel spacers can also make your car look more aggressive by pushing the wheels out further from the body.

Porsche GT4 with 12mm Spacer (Posted by Accel Junky on Rennlist.com)

When it comes to safety, one of the biggest concerns with wheel spacers is their effect on the suspension. If the spacers are not installed correctly, they can affect the suspension geometry and cause it to behave abnormally. This can result in handling problems and even damage to the suspension components. It's also essential to consider the compatibility of the wheel spacers with your vehicle. Not all spacers are created equal, and some may not fit your vehicle correctly. Improperly fitting spacers can cause problems with the suspension and brake components and can even result in a loss of control. But with proper installation of correct spacers for your vehicle, wheel spacers are safe to use.

Front with no spacer (Posted by Accel Junky on Rennlist.com)
Front with a Spacer (Posted by Accel Junky on Rennlist.com)

There are rumors online about how using spacers can shorten the lifespan of suspension components. However, it’s only partially true. Put another way, your suspension without spacers can run 20 years, now with the spacers, some parts may need to be replaced at the 19.5 years mark. So you can be the judge.

In conclusion, wheel spacers can be safe to use if they are installed correctly, are of a high-quality design, and are compatible with your vehicle. However, it's crucial to seek the advice of a professional if you are considering installing wheel spacers, as they can have serious consequences if not selected and installed correctly.

With Forgelite bespoke forged wheels, you will not need to run any spacers, as every set of our wheels is made for your car for a perfect fender flush fitment.

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