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wheel spacers,how wide?

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 5:26 pm
by coupedriver
Like the title says,how wide can I go on the standard wheel lugs,10mm,20mm and stay safe on the road.thanks :thumbup:

Re: wheel spacers,how wide?

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 5:45 pm
by Jordi
No wider than 30mm. I don't know if there is any legal limit but i was always advised no more than 30mm (some are 32mm).

Its more to prevent damage to studs and bearings.

I'd always recommened billet spacers with seperate pressed in studs not cast spacers with stud extensions. Personal preference, also depends on budget as cast spacers tend to be quite a lot cheaper.

Re: wheel spacers,how wide?

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 5:49 pm
by 4x4rick
coupedriver wrote:Like the title says,how wide can I go on the standard wheel lugs,10mm,20mm and stay safe on the road.thanks :thumbup:
how do you mean SAFE

cast ali spacers use there own centering bolts to line up spacer
billet spacers are spot on....

if you mean legal... tyres must not protrude out side the arch BUT you can fit a flare to suit

Re: wheel spacers,how wide?

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 5:53 pm
by Jordi
I'm not sure if there is a legal limit to the spacer size? For safety reasons i.e studs snapping.

No one is seriously gonna run a 75mm spacer but i have seen 40/45mm ones for sale in the past.

Re: wheel spacers,how wide?

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 5:59 pm
by dan_2k_uk
Think the original post was actually regarding a small spacer using the original studs.

I dont think there is a 100% answer to that question. It all depends how thick the material of the disc and wheel is for starters.

If you have steel wheels with open nuts on them then going to the point where there is only a couple of threads left showing would be acceptable I guess.

I once heard a rule that a thread should mesh at least its diameter deep to be considered strong enough.

Dont think I would trust my life to a rule of thumb though.

Suzuki probably designed the studs the length they are for a reason.

Re: wheel spacers,how wide?

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 6:10 pm
by timwilks13
be careful because having them too wide can cause accidents

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqqZ28m8uCo[/youtube]

Re: wheel spacers,how wide?

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 6:14 pm
by timwilks13
on a serious note I found this on another forum...

"Reg 63 MV (Con and Use) Regs 1986 could be invoked as it states (with exceptions non relevant to post):

heavy motor cars, motor cars and motor cycles, not being agricultural motor vehicles or pedestrian-controlled vehicles shall be equipped with wings or other similar fittings to catch, so far as practicable, mud or water thrown up by the rotation of its wheels or tracks unless adequate protection is afforded by the body of the vehicle.

Max fine: £1000 more if a goods/pass veh involved."

Re: wheel spacers,how wide?

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 6:40 pm
by coupedriver
dan_2k_uk wrote:Think the original post was actually regarding a small spacer using the original studs.

I dont think there is a 100% answer to that question. It all depends how thick the material of the disc and wheel is for starters.

If you have steel wheels with open nuts on them then going to the point where there is only a couple of threads left showing would be acceptable I guess.

I once heard a rule that a thread should mesh at least its diameter deep to be considered strong enough.

Dont think I would trust my life to a rule of thumb though.

Suzuki probably designed the studs the length they are for a reason.
This is what I ment,get your point about there probably that long for a reason,I didn't know those other ones existed,how much am I looking for for some,should eBay be avoided,maybe a trip out to that 4x4 shop at matlock

Re: wheel spacers,how wide?

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 6:46 pm
by dan_2k_uk
I have run the grayston casted ones with extension studs for about 5000 miles. They have survived small jumps and big rutted side slope sections without issue.

Think I have gone through 2 sets of wheel bearings in that time.

Any addition of width will assist larger tyres in their constant quest to kill bearings.

Long and short of it is the cast ones are easily strong enough.

Re: wheel spacers,how wide?

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 7:36 pm
by coupedriver
5000 miles would be about 3 yrs driving for us so I could put up with that.