Do I need spacers?
Discussion
I'd like my wheels/tires to fill out the arches a bit more.
They are original alloys with standard tire sizes as per original spec for the car.
What do spacers actually do? Has anyone tried them with standard wheels? Are there any downsides to using them? Will the already large turning circle become even larger!?
>>> Edited by oatz on Saturday 28th August 09:01
They are original alloys with standard tire sizes as per original spec for the car.
What do spacers actually do? Has anyone tried them with standard wheels? Are there any downsides to using them? Will the already large turning circle become even larger!?
>>> Edited by oatz on Saturday 28th August 09:01
They ... erm ... space the wheels further out. I guess you already knew that though! You would also need longer wheel studs, to start with. Since spacers reduce the inset and hence move the contact patch relative to the steering axis you can might get bump steer and tramlining, although it would depend how far you go. At the rear, the outer edge of the tyre tucks up into the wheel arch at full bump so you might find it doesn't clear the body any more. But this is going to depend on the position of the body wrt the chassis - and no two seem to be the same here.
I don't know as you 'need' spacers but I put some on and they have not affected the ride or steering at all,though they do make my standard wheels and tyres look a lot better!
Still a lot of space around the arches from the side of course but from both back and front the car looks more businesslike.
My set are 10mm and though I thought i would need stud extensions the guys who sold me them said possibly not for that width.I found I had plenty of thread left on the standard nuts and I drive on roads down here in Kent that were better when the Romans maintained them!!!
Your problem with the steering is your wheel alignment is out as was mine when I bought it and mine used to follow the road camber.When realighed back to spec it was 80% better, the rest is down to wheel,tyre.steering alighment(track rods) and perfectly formed chassis...only so much you can do and have to accept the cars do tend to steer eratically with changes to the road camber/surface.
My advice, get the alignment sorted...easy job,4 bolts to loosen and adjust,then get some spacers...Then you will want better and larger wheels...can't help you there!
Cheers,Tim.
Still a lot of space around the arches from the side of course but from both back and front the car looks more businesslike.
My set are 10mm and though I thought i would need stud extensions the guys who sold me them said possibly not for that width.I found I had plenty of thread left on the standard nuts and I drive on roads down here in Kent that were better when the Romans maintained them!!!
Your problem with the steering is your wheel alignment is out as was mine when I bought it and mine used to follow the road camber.When realighed back to spec it was 80% better, the rest is down to wheel,tyre.steering alighment(track rods) and perfectly formed chassis...only so much you can do and have to accept the cars do tend to steer eratically with changes to the road camber/surface.
My advice, get the alignment sorted...easy job,4 bolts to loosen and adjust,then get some spacers...Then you will want better and larger wheels...can't help you there!
Cheers,Tim.
Hmm! Will need to look out any photos but don't think have any taken after fitting.Go on holiday next week so if have film in camera when I get back I will certainly take a few pics and mail them to you if you want to wait a couple of weeks.Doubt I can post on sight without hand holding from someone more computer techy than me.
For wheel alignment read camber adjustment by the way,but think you know the bolts and oval slots I mean.
Definately worth getting it checked and adjusted as tramlining is much reduced when set correctly.
For wheel alignment read camber adjustment by the way,but think you know the bolts and oval slots I mean.
Definately worth getting it checked and adjusted as tramlining is much reduced when set correctly.
Hmm! Will need to look out any photos but don't think have any taken after fitting.Go on holiday next week so if have film in camera when I get back I will certainly take a few pics and mail them to you if you want to wait a couple of weeks.Doubt I can post on sight without hand holding from someone more computer techy than me.
For wheel alignment read camber adjustment by the way,but think you know the bolts and oval slots I mean.
Definately worth getting it checked and adjusted as tramlining is much reduced when set correctly.
For wheel alignment read camber adjustment by the way,but think you know the bolts and oval slots I mean.
Definately worth getting it checked and adjusted as tramlining is much reduced when set correctly.
Probably worth checking with your insurance company as well, as I'm sure spacers would be considered to potentially affect the handling of the car, and would be easily spotted by an insurance assessor.
Alternatively would could buy Batty Matty's old S4 which benefits from the wider V8S chassis!
Alternatively would could buy Batty Matty's old S4 which benefits from the wider V8S chassis!
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