ELEVENS

How many in the wheel spacer crowd are aware of the downsides of using wheel spacers? Does aesthetics (perceived good looks) trump function now-a-days? If someone wanted wheels that looked all pushed out, wouldn't it be better to buy new wheels that were designed that way?

April

Well, we know what the series of discussions will be about...... ;-)

Randy M

Too much pressure on the bearings? Another part that can loosen up? Have I missed anything? Steering vibrations perhaps?

Yeah I did it for aesthetics. I haven't noticed any negatives. Car handles just as well. I can't say that it handles better or worse. I did have ever so slight vibrations with 10mm ECS spacers up front but have since switched them out for H&R 8mm in front. Are 8mm spacers in front and 10mm in back any cause for concern in regard to the wheel bearings?

xlacrosse

My 10mm spacers will be here tomorrow

ELEVENS

Real thin spacers are fine. If you get thicker ones, make sure they preserve the hub-centric design that makes sure the wheels don't wobble or come loose. Thick ones will push the wheel outward so far that the center wheel hole loses almost all contact with the bearing hub indexing flange. If it grazes the wheel index hole at all, it will probably nibble it out from slight movement under high stress loads and varying temps...not the hot setup.

The real thick spacers have enough meat to provide their own flange to maintain hub-centricity, but spacers in the mid-thickness sometimes do not offer this feature. You could end up with a shake/imbalance problem or a damaged wheel.

ALWAYS use longer wheel bolts with spacers!

On a previous car I owned, the installation of a Brembo big brake kit necessitated spacers. The thinnest available at the time were 5mm and I quickly switched to 3mm as soon as they became available. But I always hated the thought that it's just a quick, cheap bandaid. They were also a bit of a PITA every time the wheels were removed - which is every few weeks with my cars. They would get rusty and stained, were difficult to line up and reassemble, plus there are two extra surfaces per wheel to maintain a perfectly clean mating surface. No thanks.

BAEL

adds to better handling. And what do you care anyway? If someone wants to put pink streamers on their side mirrors why should you care? I have the pink streamers on my '07 996, BTW. Looks cool and helps with downforce.

S4iowa

07 996

BAEL

997.

Randy M

I've got 8mm front and 10mm rear hubcentric spacers and so far I like 'em.

Snow Trooper

You forgot the M3...