Washers for Wheel Spacers - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

RedlineRacer · 06-08-2003, 07:49 AM

I've always wondered if you can just put bolt washers behind your wheels and do the same as a spacer? I know this idea is ghetto, but whats the difference as long as it pushes your wheel out.

PooPoo240 · 06-08-2003, 09:18 AM

no real difference... I just completed the 300zx brake upgrade, and until I recieve my SSR's I have 3 washers on every bolt on some velox 17's...temporary. just make sure they're all the same thickness.

Ian · 06-08-2003, 03:40 PM

2 things come to mind

1. structural integrity...the spacer will be a ring w/ holes for the studs to come through....being a nice strong piece w/ a nice seat for the wheel/hub to come together as it should, while the washers will have gaps being less sturdy

2. structural integrity (part 2)...unless the washers are nice and strong, i can imagine that eventually one may bend/collapse sending you and your car into hopless oblivion and well, debt after you try and repair the suspension you wreaked havoc on...

if ur gonna make it permanent better spring a couple hundred on the real deal...

optauto.com they have nice spacers that come w/ all the hardware...i plan on gettin 10/15mm spacers from them cuz i have some high offset wheels too :-\, previous owner's mistake, not mine

nguyenk2003 · 06-08-2003, 03:42 PM

Its al right I guess, But if you gonna do any Hard rving, I wouldnt. IF you do Use Washers as Spacers and do Hard Driving, the Space Between the Lugs have more stress o nthe rim... I guess.. But I duno, I dont know, I was thinkgin abotu it, but then I rather spen 50$ mroe to be safer than sorry.

orion::S14 · 06-08-2003, 06:33 PM

No, No, Nooooooooo!!!!

Bad idea!

Think about it - Without any spacer, all the force on your wheel is being spread over the surface area of the back of the wheel, which bascially matches the hub. The lugs do nothing but hold the wheel onto the hub securely - No up and down forces applied to them.

You add washers, and the studs are forced to take the up/down load of the wheel, which they were not designed to do. They will shear off eventually.

Please do not drive like that and risk losing your whole car over something as cheap as a $95 set of hubcentric spacers.

theronin · 06-08-2003, 07:37 PM

i agree with orion... just get some real spacers and save yourself a potential disaster... here ill even give you the link to make it easy! Click Me!

THX1138 · 06-09-2003, 07:28 PM

Or you can click here for spacers that are less than $95, but still beat the crap out of washers.

Just scroll down a bit, 'cause Don's still the man.

06-08-2003, 07:49 AM	#1
RedlineRacer Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Clemson, South Carolina Age: 40 Posts: 1,054 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Washers for Wheel Spacers I've always wondered if you can just put bolt washers behind your wheels and do the same as a spacer? I know this idea is ghetto, but whats the difference as long as it pushes your wheel out.

06-08-2003, 09:18 AM	#2
PooPoo240 Zilvia Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 162 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	hehehe... no real difference... I just completed the 300zx brake upgrade, and until I recieve my SSR's I have 3 washers on every bolt on some velox 17's...temporary. just make sure they're all the same thickness.

06-08-2003, 03:40 PM	#3
Ian Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: i'm gonna get INSIDE your face Age: 38 Posts: 3,658 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	2 things come to mind 1. structural integrity...the spacer will be a ring w/ holes for the studs to come through....being a nice strong piece w/ a nice seat for the wheel/hub to come together as it should, while the washers will have gaps being less sturdy 2. structural integrity (part 2)...unless the washers are nice and strong, i can imagine that eventually one may bend/collapse sending you and your car into hopless oblivion and well, debt after you try and repair the suspension you wreaked havoc on... if ur gonna make it permanent better spring a couple hundred on the real deal... optauto.com they have nice spacers that come w/ all the hardware...i plan on gettin 10/15mm spacers from them cuz i have some high offset wheels too :-\, previous owner's mistake, not mine

06-08-2003, 03:42 PM	#4
nguyenk2003 Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Washington Posts: 84 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Its al right I guess, But if you gonna do any Hard rving, I wouldnt. IF you do Use Washers as Spacers and do Hard Driving, the Space Between the Lugs have more stress o nthe rim... I guess.. But I duno, I dont know, I was thinkgin abotu it, but then I rather spen 50$ mroe to be safer than sorry.

06-08-2003, 06:33 PM	#5
orion::S14 Nissanaholic! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Orange Park, FL Posts: 1,666 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	No, No, Nooooooooo!!!! Bad idea! Think about it - Without any spacer, all the force on your wheel is being spread over the surface area of the back of the wheel, which bascially matches the hub. The lugs do nothing but hold the wheel onto the hub securely - No up and down forces applied to them. You add washers, and the studs are forced to take the up/down load of the wheel, which they were not designed to do. They will shear off eventually. Please do not drive like that and risk losing your whole car over something as cheap as a $95 set of hubcentric spacers.

06-09-2003, 07:28 PM	#7
THX1138 Zilvia Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Clemson, SC Posts: 264 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Or you can click here for spacers that are less than $95, but still beat the crap out of washers. Just scroll down a bit, 'cause Don's still the man.