Stud Conversions and Spacers

[Zordrak]

Hi chaps

I have found a set of wheels for my BMW but they simply don't make them in the right offset and i really like the design.

Some 15mm spacers would do the job but the vast majority of people (on the internet) are saying spacers are the work of the devil and your wheel will almost certainly fall off if you use them.

However many of the track day boys are converting their lug bolts to studs with nuts as they are much stronger apparently.

Does anyone know if i would be safe to use spacers if they are mounted on studs?

Many thanks

[anonymous-user]

with lugs you will be fine, 15mm isnt that big really, far better than running bolts just make sure the spacers are hub centric there not the work of evil when done right like most things, ive run front spacers on my car for ages to clear the brakes

[gareth.e]

15mm really doesnt sound bad at all.. Just keep a little eye out on them.

I've seen some RIDICULOUSLY oversized spacers in the past few years..

[v8will]

Zordrak said:

Hi chaps

I have found a set of wheels for my BMW but they simply don't make them in the right offset and i really like the design.

Some 15mm spacers would do the job but the vast majority of people (on the internet) are saying spacers are the work of the devil and your wheel will almost certainly fall off if you use them.

However many of the track day boys are converting their lug bolts to studs with nuts as they are much stronger apparently.

Does anyone know if i would be safe to use spacers if they are mounted on studs?

Many thanks

I bought 15mm H&R spacers and longer bolts from these guys

http://www.performancealloys.com/alloy_wheel_space...

Everthing worked out spot on after a load of messing about and unsatisfactory results with universal fit spacers

[Mroad]

I ran 15mm hub centric spacers on my old trackday rally rep Integrale for the same reason, the factory rally magnesium alloys didn't come in the right offset for the wheel width and to clear the 6 pots on the front. I never had any issues.
As others have said make sure they are hub centric and decent quality (TUV approved, mine were H&R I think) and there shouldn't be an issue. The problems come with badly fitting spacers and excessive spacing which can strain the wheel bearings as you're effective putting a weight (the wheel) on the end of a long lever.
Just to prove they aren't as much as an issue as people make out the Integrale 16v came with spacers on the rear from the factory.

[nelly1]

gareth.e said:

15mm really doesnt sound bad at all.. Just keep a little eye out on them.

I've seen some RIDICULOUSLY oversized spacers in the past few years..

[Jebi]

I ran 20mm front and 25mm rear spacers on my last car, they were the "bolt to hub" type and hubcentric.

I had no issues at all in the 3.5 years I owned the car.

[ManOpener]

nelly1 said:

gareth.e said:

15mm really doesnt sound bad at all.. Just keep a little eye out on them.

I've seen some RIDICULOUSLY oversized spacers in the past few years..

I honestly don't understand why they don't just extend the axle. Even cutting and welding it would be safer than THOSE!

Edited for spelling failures.

Edited by ManOpener on Saturday 4th September 09:53

[Zordrak]

Thanks chaps. So the concsensus is that a small hubcentric spacer shouldnt be any trouble.

Going back to stud conversions, does anyone know if this would still be a benefit in this regard? The reason i ask is that they arent particularly expensive - even for a top brand.