REAR WHEEL SPACERS
Discussion
When I was on Glen's Barn Farm run it was noticed that the rear wheels on my S were spaced further out. The opinion was that the wheel fitted the wheel arch better and I was asked to provide info next time I had the wheels off. I just have!
Each hub is fitted with a 10mm and a 2mm spacer, 12mm total. The studs are special and give 36mm projection above the surface of the drum (24mm above the spacers). There is actually slightly more stud to engage with the wheel nut than there is at the front.
It has been like that all the time I have had the car and, to be honest, I didnt realise that all S's werent like that. It doesnt seem to have created any problems with the rear wheel bearings which are one of the few things I haven't had to replace!
74
(The 'oil' apparently coming out of the hub is just a bit of copaslip used to stop the mating surfaces corroding)
Each hub is fitted with a 10mm and a 2mm spacer, 12mm total. The studs are special and give 36mm projection above the surface of the drum (24mm above the spacers). There is actually slightly more stud to engage with the wheel nut than there is at the front.
It has been like that all the time I have had the car and, to be honest, I didnt realise that all S's werent like that. It doesnt seem to have created any problems with the rear wheel bearings which are one of the few things I haven't had to replace!
74(The 'oil' apparently coming out of the hub is just a bit of copaslip used to stop the mating surfaces corroding)
magpies said:
Explains some of the difference in rear track which I'm sure we thought is near 30mm per side (I may be wrong as my memory isn't what it used to be
Yes Mike, I thought it looked more when we were at the Cat and Fiddle, but I am certain the drum and wheel are standard so 12mm makes a bigger difference than we perhaps thought. I quite fancy trying this, but I'll need some help & advice, before I finally decide.
If I fit some longer wheel studs and then add some 10-12mm thick steel (laser cut) spacer plates, is this all I need to do ? Could there be any negative side effects of doing this ? Richard mentioned that he'd not noticed any problems.
Thanks for any advice.
If I fit some longer wheel studs and then add some 10-12mm thick steel (laser cut) spacer plates, is this all I need to do ? Could there be any negative side effects of doing this ? Richard mentioned that he'd not noticed any problems.
Thanks for any advice.
The spacers on mine are aluminium like the wheels. Demon Tweeks certainly do a range of spacer kits for Ford wheels, complete with competition spec studs to match, about £20 a pair.
I have had absolutely no problems. Remember the V6 Sierra was a much heavier car (and if I remember rightly wheel bearing failure was rare)so the wheelbearings on our hubs should have a considerably lower load on them.
As Glen has mentioned, make absolutely sure the wheel nuts do not 'bottom out' on the ends of the new longer studs before they are tight on the wheel. Be particularly careful with any locking wheel nuts which might not be threaded so deeply. It isnt an issue on mine as I have checked and there is about 2mm clearance.
Final note; do not overdo it! Mine is on original OZ wheels. If you are using other wheels then remember it is illegal to have wheels projecting beyond the wheel arches! I have seen a TVR with projecting wheels, apart from being illegal it didnt look good.
I have had absolutely no problems. Remember the V6 Sierra was a much heavier car (and if I remember rightly wheel bearing failure was rare)so the wheelbearings on our hubs should have a considerably lower load on them.
As Glen has mentioned, make absolutely sure the wheel nuts do not 'bottom out' on the ends of the new longer studs before they are tight on the wheel. Be particularly careful with any locking wheel nuts which might not be threaded so deeply. It isnt an issue on mine as I have checked and there is about 2mm clearance.
Final note; do not overdo it! Mine is on original OZ wheels. If you are using other wheels then remember it is illegal to have wheels projecting beyond the wheel arches! I have seen a TVR with projecting wheels, apart from being illegal it didnt look good.
Edited by greymrj on Friday 14th August 00:02
Alan Whitaker said:
Hi
If you are going to get spacers, get the hubcentric type, wheels fit better onto them.
Alan
Hubcentric spacers take the load on the hub rather than just on the wheel studs which would happen with a a flat plate and can give less balance issues.If you are going to get spacers, get the hubcentric type, wheels fit better onto them.
Alan
I considered fitting spacers after seeing S2 Mikes car with 20mm on the rear. Gives the stance more like an S4. Bravery, time and money (they are not cheap) have stopped me so far.
Hi
About £50 a pr for 20mm, thats going to be about what they cost for a good pr.
Alan
http://www.randr-alloys.co.uk/wheel-accessories/hu...
About £50 a pr for 20mm, thats going to be about what they cost for a good pr.
Alan
http://www.randr-alloys.co.uk/wheel-accessories/hu...
Those are bignormous Mike! 
Alan Whitaker said:
There was a TV show with a guy called Bernie Fineman (I think) who put some like that on a car, not sure what it was.
Alan
Hi Alan Alan
It was "Chop Shop: London Garage"
Bernie's imaginative main man was Leepu from Bangladesh. Some awesome creations, consisting mainly of weld and filler!
P.S. Alan, I sent you a SMS text message and also tried to emaail you via PH about a week ago. Did you receive them?
Edited by glenrobbo on Saturday 15th August 09:38
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