Why Choosing The Right Wheel Spacers Is SO Important

Why Choosing The Right Wheel Spacers Is SO Important

December 16, 2024
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By Daren Foertsch

 

My fellow enthusiasts, I’m sure you’ve heard of or even have installed wheel spacers on your ride. They’re an extremely popular modification for vehicles, offering an improved aesthetic and fitment. Whether you're after a more aggressive stance, or enhanced clearance for brake and suspension components, wheel spacers can help you achieve your goals.

 

Materials

 

The right material for your wheel spacers depends on your specific needs:

  • Daily Drivers: Billet aluminum (6061-T6) spacers are lightweight and sufficient for most cars, SUVs and Trucks.
  • High Performance Vehicles: Opt for 7075-T6 or forged aluminum for improved strength and reliability under extreme driving conditions.
  • Heavy Towing and Off-Road Vehicles: Steel spacers provide the heavy-duty durability needed to handle heavy loads and rough terrain.

The best wheel spacers also feature protective coatings to enhance durability and resistance to environmental factors:

  • Anodizing (Aluminum): High-quality aluminum spacers are often anodized to increase surface hardness and resistance to corrosion. Anodized spacers are available in various colors, allowing for aesthetic customization.
  • Zinc Plating (Steel): Steel spacers may be zinc-plated to prevent rust and corrosion. This coating ensures long-term durability, especially in wet or salty environments.

 

Safety

 

Wheel spacers work by creating additional space between the hub and the wheel, altering the vehicle's geometry. This makes them a load-bearing component that must withstand significant stress. Poorly manufactured spacers can compromise the integrity of your wheel assembly, increasing the risk of potentially fatal accidents. High-quality spacers are precisely machined from durable materials ensuring they can handle the demands of daily driving or even high-performance use.

Cheaper wheel spacers are often made from cast aluminum or other inferior materials. Casting involves pouring molten aluminum into molds, which can result in porous structures prone to cracking under stress. Such materials may seem like a cost-effective option, but they pose significant safety risks and lack the durability required for automotive use.

Low-quality spacers are often not machined to exact tolerances, which can lead to an improper fitment. This misalignment can cause vibrations, uneven tire wear, and damage to your wheel hubs and suspension components. Premium wheel spacers on the other hand, are engineered with meticulous precision. This ensures a snug fit that distributes loads evenly and maintains your vehicle's balance.

 

Wheel Studs

 

The grade of the stud in wheel spacers is critically important because it directly affects the safety, reliability and performance of the spacer. Wheel spacer studs bear the load of the vehicle and absorb forces from braking, acceleration, and cornering.

High-grade studs are manufactured to meet specific tensile strength standards, such as SAE grades or ISO classifications. For example, SAE Grade 8 studs or Class 10.9 (ISO) bolts are preferred for their high strength, as they provide better resistance to stretching or shearing.

Stud material and coating also affect corrosion resistance. Corrosion weakens studs, making them prone to failure. High-grade studs are often treated with coatings such as zinc plating, black oxide, or cadmium plating to enhance durability and prevent rust. Low-grade studs may lack proper protective treatments leading to faster degradation, especially in wet or salty environments.

 

 

Wheel spacers can be a valuable upgrade when chosen wisely. While it may be tempting to save money by opting for cheaper options, the risks far outweigh the savings. Remember, your vehicle is only as strong as its weakest component, don’t let low-quality spacers be the weak link. We only sell high quality wheel spacers at Legends Auto Parts for both cars and trucks.

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