Talk to me about wheel spacers..

[Conor D]

I've noticed alot of talk in different places about wheel spacers for MX5s, presumably to fill out the arches, to fit wider tyres, or for Stance™..

So are there any implications when using wheel spacers, is there a point where it could cause issues - and ultimately are they safe?

[DocJock]

Lots of people will tell you they will overstress the hubs/bearings.

I've run spacers on a much heavier car than my MX5 for years, on road and track, without any issues. Just make sure you use hub-centric ones.

[Conor D]

What size are you using, do they just bolt on to the stock hub?

[MX-5 Lazza]

I have a set of 5mm spacers that I use to correct the offset of my track tyres (They are ET45). I wouldn't use them for anything else.

[JonnyFive]

Conor D said:

What size are you using, do they just bolt on to the stock hub?

Hubcentric ones do, they bolt to the hub and then you bolt your wheel to the spacer.

You can get spacers that just go between the wheel and the hub but these are only ok for a few mm.

[Salgar]

JonnyFive said:

Conor D said:

What size are you using, do they just bolt on to the stock hub?

Hubcentric ones do, they bolt to the hub and then you bolt your wheel to the spacer.

You can get spacers that just go between the wheel and the hub but these are only ok for a few mm.

Pardon my misunderstanding, but it sounds like you just said the same thing twice?

[JonnyFive]

Salgar said:

JonnyFive said:

Conor D said:

What size are you using, do they just bolt on to the stock hub?

Hubcentric ones do, they bolt to the hub and then you bolt your wheel to the spacer.

You can get spacers that just go between the wheel and the hub but these are only ok for a few mm.

Pardon my misunderstanding, but it sounds like you just said the same thing twice?

The little spacers dont bolt to the hub, just a plate between your wheel and hub.

Hubcentric bolt to the hub and wheel to the spacer so safer if you're going for more than about 5mm spaced.

[Conor D]

A few companies seem to make them in 3, 5, 15, 20, 25, and 30mm. How much space does it generally take to fill out the arches?

[JonnyFive]

Have you got standard wheels?

10mm (per side) would do I reckon.. Unless you're pulling arches and stuff.

[Conor D]

Yea, standard wheels at the minute.



This is what I'm after, although they could be much wider wheels.

[skinny]

just bear in mind that you need to stay under 10mm spacers if you go for the plain rings, as otherwise you don't get enough stud sticking out for the number of turns you need on the wheel nuts - so for thicker spacers you want to go to the hubcentric type ones.

the best way tho is just to change the offset of the wheels if that's an option.