spacers - your thoughts/knowledge

Discussion in 'Modifications & DIY how-to' started by LoveMyNewSoob, Aug 5, 2013.

  1. LoveMyNewSoob

    LoveMyNewSoob Member

    Hey everyone.
    I have been looking for some time at the stance of some of these cars. I don't have the money or desire to get into suspension work just yet, but have seen some pics of guys who just used some spacers.

    What are your thoughts on these? Will they mess up any of the suspension, all wheel drive, or anything else?

    Please be nice as I am still pretty new to the world of Subaru.

    Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. :bowdown:
     
  2. wagunz_pwn

    wagunz_pwn Active Member

    Welcome! Get your flame suit ready... ;)
     
  3. LoveMyNewSoob

    LoveMyNewSoob Member

    Well, since I poked fun at your pictures, you can go first...
     
  4. wagunz_pwn

    wagunz_pwn Active Member

    I have no knowledge when it comes to wheel spacers...just opinions on the "stanced" look.

    /peaceout
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2013
  5. b reel

    b reel Active Member

    your spell check is of again
     
  6. wagunz_pwn

    wagunz_pwn Active Member

    I see what you did there

    Fixed. This is what happen when I backspace on my phone using the normal website.
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2013
  7. t3chn0rem1x

    t3chn0rem1x Member

    been running spacers for years...no problems here...either get longer studs or get ones with studs built in..make sure you torque them right
     
  8. LoveMyNewSoob

    LoveMyNewSoob Member

    How big are your spacers? Any suggestions on manufacturers?
    Have you noticed any performance differences?
    Thanks for the info!
     
  9. Trancetto

    Trancetto Active Member

    ^^

    o_O

    It all depends what offset you want to run. If you wish to run 20 offset with a wheel that is 35 offset, you would run 15mm spacers, etc...

    What are you trying to do, just bring your wheels out?
     
  10. LoveMyNewSoob

    LoveMyNewSoob Member

    yeah, basically just looking into the possiblity of a little bit wider stance.
     
  11. J_P

    J_P I like pudding pops Supporting Member

    Are you just trying to get the look of a wider stance or do you actually want a wider contact patch? Wider tires do make a difference.

    See if technoremix can provide his specs or search around other forums to see what has been commonly used.

    I'm old enough to remember when "skateboarding" your wheels was popular. Yeah none of those vehicles lasted very long, but that's an extreme.

    How about some 13" wire rim daytons.
     
  12. LoveMyNewSoob

    LoveMyNewSoob Member

    HA! Yup, I remember those too. If you can throw in some nice curb feelers, that would be great.
    For right now, just the look. I am talking more about getting the tires flush with the fenders. Again, just looking into options, getting ideas/information ect. :)
     
  13. Trancetto

    Trancetto Active Member

    What is your wheel set-up right now?
     
  14. LoveMyNewSoob

    LoveMyNewSoob Member

    stock
     
  15. t3chn0rem1x

    t3chn0rem1x Member

    i have 2 sets... 20mm 5x100 ichban with studs built in for my sti bbs 5x100's..... and 20mm 5x100 to 5x114.3 conversion spacers for the other sti bbs's.. the wheels sit just about flush with fenders, with no real need to roll them,,, well maybe a little depending on how u drive. the car seems more planted in a curve-corner. bbs wheels are +53 offset.so now they are +33...If you wnt to check it out..i work at subaru of kennesaw, imm be there tomorrow 8-230 or so
     
  16. superhawk28

    superhawk28 Member

    Keep in mind that spacers tend to introduce a lot of stress on your wheel bearings.
     
  17. LoveMyNewSoob

    LoveMyNewSoob Member

    Thanks for the info. I was looking at 15mm I think.
    That is where I usually take my car, so maybe I will see it there the next time I bring it in. Can't do today, I have to work. :|
     
  18. t3chn0rem1x

    t3chn0rem1x Member

    Wider wheels like 17x9 or 9.5 will have the exact wear on wheel bearing and other parts that spacers will.
     
  19. crazyazn

    crazyazn I like naps Staff Member Supporting Member

    Maybe we can use this thread to dispel some myths, as I've just learned some interesting bits about spacers reading this.

    Now I've been told that the wheel bearing wear was more concern for the 5x100's vs the 5x114.3's. Yes, I understand odd fitment will add stress regardless of the hub, but is it more that the 5x100 in a sense are weaker to that sort of thing?
     
  20. superhawk28

    superhawk28 Member

    It my knowledge it is more concern to 5x100 fitment than 5x114. The 5x100 has a poorer design iirc.
     
  21. J_P

    J_P I like pudding pops Supporting Member

    Is it an issue with the bolt pattern design or the wheel bearings/hub that came with the 2004 STi?
     
  22. superhawk28

    superhawk28 Member

    The bearing/hub itself.
     
  23. LoveMyNewSoob

    LoveMyNewSoob Member

    are you talking corners on the road, or at a track...or both?
    I have caught the track bug and am looking at going back to AMP for the 3rd time this year in September.
     
  24. t3chn0rem1x

    t3chn0rem1x Member

    both....daily, track and mtns...depending on your other mods, it makes the car more"planted" going through curves...the bearings/hubs were somewhat stronger on the 05 wrx-sti's but doesnt affect them that much...also depending on your mods and camber. my thinking is....track only porsche-audi and some other cars use spacers to race 100+ mph...why cant i use them for daily commute and mtn runs...as long as u retorque them every and again.
     
  25. LoveMyNewSoob

    LoveMyNewSoob Member

    Just ordered the spacers so I'll put up pics once they get out on...hopefully next weekend!
     
  26. LoveMyNewSoob

    LoveMyNewSoob Member

    Just got the spacers in! :eek:hnoes: I hope to have them on soon!! Pictures soon to follow.


    [​IMG]
     
  27. b reel

    b reel Active Member

    done yet?
     
  28. LoveMyNewSoob

    LoveMyNewSoob Member


    Ha! Patience. It probably won't be until next weekend, especially with this weather. I am not fortunate enough to have a garage. :wtc:
     
  29. LoveMyNewSoob

    LoveMyNewSoob Member

    well, unfortunately, this weekend's attempt to install the spacers was a big fail. The "pockets" that are on the back of my wheels are not deep enough to accommodate the stock studs. (piss me off).
    So, I have reached out to the manufacturer to see what the options are. It may end up that I have to sell them, because I was not looking to either cutting the factory studs, replacing them with shorter studs, or getting a larger spacer and then have to roll my fenders.

    So, if anyone might be interested in some wheel and hub-centric 15mm spacers, let me know, because like I said, they may be up for sale shortly.
     
  30. LoveMyNewSoob

    LoveMyNewSoob Member

    Well, luckily, Motorsports Tech is going to take the spacers back. We looked into the possibility of 20mm spacers, but I think I still would have had to cut the studs (not really interested in that at this point). The "pockets" that were on the back of the BBS wheels just isn't big enough to accommodate stock studs.
    Thanks for everyone's input on this!

    on to the next mod. :hsugh:
     
  31. flat_4ATL

    flat_4ATL Member

    i was just running into the same issue in my wheels i was interested in. bc the guy i was buying them from was running an 8mm spacers.. and the wheels were an 15offset so that gave him a +7 and that looked flush with the flares.. (as i too bought the flares for my car) but i was having to consider the 5x100>5x114 adapter..and ive looked and looked, and couldnt find anything less than 15mm adapter. which would give me a 0offset, which would either poke a little bit. so i finally found a company after lots of searching for an manufactor.. i seen Motorsport tech, and ISC,, but finally found a japanese compnay that sells 10/11mm-ish? (cant rem) adapter, and that would give me a +4 or +5 offset,, which is close to the original sellers offset. which should be flush enough..
     
  32. flat_4ATL

    flat_4ATL Member

    also i was worried about having to cut my studs as well to accomidate for the oem studs sticking out a lil too much past the spacer. but the spacer comes with low profile flat nuts? (hard to explain the looks of them) but then later found out the wheels have very deep pockets on the backside!! so i purchased the wheels this morning!! hopefully i wont have to cut my studs:/ or get shorter studs.. :fx:
     
  33. flat_4ATL

    flat_4ATL Member

    well lets just hope i run into no problems.. lol! FML:eek:hnoes: if the hubs fail then i will be able to sell my wheels a lil faster to recover some of my money since they are 5x114..

    but on a positive note.. i dont drag strip//autox//time attack// or rally... i just drive it to drive it. so hopefully everything will go smoothly! sure wish 6gun racing was still in business so i could buy that 5x100 inner spindle to my axles but the outer hub would be 5x114 bolt pattern:/
     
  34. flat_4ATL

    flat_4ATL Member

    im just gonna keep my fingeres crossed and hopefully nothing bad happens.. with this much power to the wheels and a wideeeee setup.
     
  35. LoveMyNewSoob

    LoveMyNewSoob Member

    I was definitely not interested in cutting studs. The nuts that I had made no difference because it was still the stud length hitting the back of the BBS wheels. I am very pleased with Lenny's patience and helpful problem solving with this issue. He offered me the 20mm spacers, but after sending him a picture of the gap between the hub and wheel with the 15mm, he wasn't sure the 20 would fix the problem.
    Looks like I will just have to save up for some wheels instead. Other mods first though...
     

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