Wheel spacers, anyone run them on an impreza?

[jimblive]

I've just got myself a set of AP 6 posts but the gap between the inside face of the wheel spoke and the outside face of the caliper is no more than 1mm. The only solution I can think of is to use a 5mm spacer to push the wheel away from the caliper.

I don't really want to run spacers and add 10mm to the track if it will change the way the car drives (its a WR sport RB5) or will this solution be OK?.

Cheers for any advice.

[ScoobieWRX]

If you put 5mm spacers on they will be like those universal ones that never sit on the hub properly but they probably won't throw the geometry out so far that you would notice and shouldn't put too much stress on the wheel bearings. 5mm isn't much and at least it serves a purpose and your wheels clear the caliper.

Personally If i were getting some spacers (i considered this a while back) i would go for the 15mm or 20mm hubcentric type that come with built in studs that fit your wheel stud pattern perfectly. The spacer bolts directly onto the brake rotor making sure the rotors stay flush to the hub, and the spacer would be dead center when tightened up. This minimises rotor run out. Not sure how much stress 15mm spacers would put on the wheel bearings though.

You would have to get the geometry re-done but widening the track by 30mm overall would seriously improve the handling and grip up front i'm sure. There is also wheel arch clearance to consider and 15mm/20mm spacers would more than likely require you to get the arches rolled due to tyre rub.

After all that wordy burble, if you don't want to go to all that trouble just stick to the 5mm

[GravelBen]

I've heard stories about spacers significantly increasing wear on wheel bearings etc due to the lever effect of the force acting from further out.

Could be a good excuse for some new wheels that clear the brakes better?

[jimblive]

Cheers for the advice. The H&R spacers say they are hub centric on all spacers larger then 5mm (ie 10mm track widening). I assume that means as you say I would have to go 30mm for them to be hub centric?

As for new wheels... dont! The thought had crossed my mind but the funds wont allow.

This is how close they are:

Edited by jimblive on Thursday 3rd July 08:18

[ScoobieWRX]

When the brakes start to get really hot the caliper will expand and so will the wheels as they start to soak heat from the calipers. 1mm clearence isn't a lot and i would have said there will be a tiny amount of flex in or out from the wheel as you turn corners as well so might not be a bad idea to get the 5mm spacers.

Personally i would get the spacers because 5mm either side isn't going to change much in the geometry department and better safe than sorry. 4-pot brembos fit under 17" wheels but not sure about 6pot's. Best option is get bigger wheels (any excuse for some new wheels )

There must be someone on PH that knows for sure what the score is here

[m4tthew]

What about getting a company to custom make you some, so that they are perfectly matched to your hubs?

[jimblive]

I should be able to shim the caliper another 1mm away from the spokes so I'll see how that goes. The caliper will be 1mm closer to the disc on one side but I've been told that when the pistons push the pads onto the calipers it should take up the slack. If not I think I'll have to go for some spacers.

As much as I would like some new alloys I don't want to go for 18's on my classic so I'm not sure if any other 17's would be better than my spedlines. I know the P1 alloys give more clearance to the spoke but even less than mine from the caliper edge to the inside of the rim.