Thread: Wheel Spacers

I have seen two forms of spacers

1: (the bodgie way) Using either existing or extended wheel studs, the spacer is just a solid cylinder that sits in the existing wheel studs with the wheel bolting on over the top.


2: (the safer way) The spacer bolts on the same but uses it's own flush mounted locking nuts (whether the existing studs are shortened or are completely covered by the spacer, who knows) The spacer then has it's own wheel studs in which you mount the wheel to.


Drifting cars will break stuff, a wheel is not meant to go sideways. Fracturing and eventually sheering wheel nuts would be the norm in that scenerio whether you have wheel spacers on or not.

The issue I see with wheel spacers is the centre spigot.
If your nuts come loose a fraction on a normal wheel, the centre spigot will hold the wheel and you might notice when nuts fall off. The centre spigot will support the vehicles weight on the rim centre.

A wheel spacer has no centre spigot. There's nothing stopping you making them with some, but I have yet to see one. So if the nuts aren't clamped up properly (or if the hub is overloaded) the wheel can slip a little on the spacer, loading up the studs in shear.
If the nuts aren't quite tight enough, movement will continue until the studs will all fatigue off.

Originally Posted by PhilipA

Really the whole thing is a bit of "Nanny State" stuff.
They are allowed in UK AFAIK. Are our authorities more knowledgable?

A 20MM spacer will only load the bearing the same as a 20MM change in offset. I guess the real issue is how well made the spacer is.

We do not seem to have a system in Australia where a product has to be approved before sale like the TUV system.
And the Porsche 924 Turbo spacer for example is nothing special at all, just an alloy spacer on a standard 924/nee VW rear bearing setup.

Regards Philip A

Playing safe I expect.


The TUV system is great in Europe, but it is bloody expensive. My understanding is that effectively a company is buying their certification. If you had to run every spacer for every vehicle through TUV, I would guess the sales if not up the the level of cornflakes, may not cover the costs.
If fitted by the manufacturer in Oz, they comply with the ADR's and are legal.
I would guess the problem comes down to irresponsible use. Too many variables for me. If they are not matched correctly to the wheel and tyre application, and that vehicle has an accident ........... hits another vehicle...or launches through someones front yard when the tyre locks against the guard... Ugly ending.

I suspect that if you dig back you will find that the blanket ban on spacers is the result of a single nasty incident. That seems to be the way things work here.

John

Not sure if it’s a blanket ban.

The question of car modification in NSW hinges around what you can do within the build regulations and what you need to have certified.

Even if your modification is within certification the RTA may require that you prove it. Therefore you have to pay to have it certified. Removal of the EGR is a good case in point.

While "we” say the removal doesn’t alter the pollutants measured for the purposes of compliance a nasty inspector could require you to prove it.

I’ve got a center roof console from the Department of Interior (DOI). The one I really wonted is featured on their site and it is a “T” design. Goes down the center and then across the top of the windscreen.

Apart from a couple of mounting issues the DOT indicated that the regulation relating to visibility (?) would make a window length console in the Disco (at the time) illegal.

A young hoon who did work for us would be pulled over almost every weekend by the boys in blue (Grand parade Syd). He had, and produced a whole batch of certifications for different modifications to his vehicle. Including one for mounting a single gauge on the dash.

There was a recent issue with a proposed change to the NSW laws relation to modifications taken up the 4X4 association and some after market association. The proposed changes to the law relation to suspension modifications would have almost banned “any” change. (my reading)

Luckily the 4x4 and after market parts association managed to convince the Minister of the stupidity of the proposed change. However you may find in the future that you have to get an authorised installer to do the change?

Originally Posted by scott oz

Not sure if it’s a blanket ban.

The question of car modification in NSW hinges around what you can do within the build regulations and what you need to have certified.

Even if your modification is within certification the RTA may require that you prove it. Therefore you have to pay to have it certified. Removal of the EGR is a good case in point.

While "we” say the removal doesn’t alter the pollutants measured for the purposes of compliance a nasty inspector could require you to prove it.

I’ve got a center roof console from the Department of Interior (DOI). The one I really wonted is featured on their site and it is a “T” design. Goes down the center and then across the top of the windscreen.

Apart from a couple of mounting issues the DOT indicated that the regulation relating to visibility (?) would make a window length console in the Disco (at the time) illegal.

A young hoon who did work for us would be pulled over almost every weekend by the boys in blue (Grand parade Syd). He had, and produced a whole batch of certifications for different modifications to his vehicle. Including one for mounting a single gauge on the dash.

There was a recent issue with a proposed change to the NSW laws relation to modifications taken up the 4X4 association and some after market association. The proposed changes to the law relation to suspension modifications would have almost banned “any” change. (my reading)

Luckily the 4x4 and after market parts association managed to convince the Minister of the stupidity of the proposed change. However you may find in the future that you have to get an authorised installer to do the change?

Yes you are right in that. The association lobbying with the 4WD groups is the AAAA. Check their website. It is not over yet. There is federal regulation looming in the shape of VSB14. At present even a 50mm lift and a tyre size change would be illegal under the proposed regs, without an engineers signoff. The AAAA is conducting tests with the Queensland Dept. of transport, in a effort to have the proposed reg. in VSB14 changed. ( no engineers sign off to be required )

VSB 14 is pretty comprehensive. Be prepared for some heavy reading.
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa...g_3Feb2006.pdf

I've had my spacers for about 2 years now and done many comps .
Never had a problem with them so should be fine .

Originally Posted by grover69

I've had my spacers for about 2 years now and done many comps .
Never had a problem with them so should be fine .

thanks, may i ask what brand you have and how much they set you back