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YOUR RESEARCHThoughts on wheel spacers?
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Replace about 10 years ago the whole way around
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I did have my bearings replaced about 10 years ago the whole way around.
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Replace after 12 years of track and street driving just
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As a point of reference, I had my bearings replaced after 12 years of track and street driving just for a refresh, even though they weren't failing at the time.
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I have run 7 and 15mm spacers on my two sets of Carerra 2 Five spoke wheels for 20 years+.
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I ran 7mm spacer for a decade with lots of track time and then went to 15mm.
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Coincidentally I'm running the same setup on 17's.
Replace after 12 years of track and street driving just
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As a point of reference, I had my bearings replaced after 12 years of track and street driving just for a refresh, even though they weren't failing at the time.
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Suggestion
I've always used Hub centric spacers on track cars, never had issues, Some cars depending on the track I've gone 22MM, it heats the bearings up a tick more but if it gets a second off the clock we send it..
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I put ECS tuning spacers (15mm all around) on my car with 17� wheels and I think it improves the appearance significantly. My indie told me that it will shorten the lifespan of the wheel bearings and other research indicated that spacers can throw off the geometry of the car and have a negative impact on handling.
Has anyone experienced any issues with these?
One of my buddies thinks they�re dumb because �Porsche knows best�
Before and after pics. It doesn�t look dramatic in pictures, but in person it really changes the stance of the car (minivan stance vs a proper sports car stance, imo). I think it should have looked like this from the factory�
15mm is .591 so a little over 1/2 inch . Yes that could be enough to place some additional stress to the bearings . But enough to make a big difference ? I don't think so . How many cars have wheels with offsets that aren't factory spec ? Enjoy the look and go drive her hard !
Leroy, I wouldn't sweat it. I ran 7mm spacer for a decade with lots of track time and then went to 15mm. I did have my bearings replaced about 10 years ago the whole way around. But nothing was wrong with them. I just wanted new ones. If I remember correctly, it was not an expensive item.
From a factory standpoint, porsche is based in Germany. They get snow and use snow chains. Can't use snow chains on too wide of a track, so the wheels sit inside by 15 mm as a result.
Here is a prior discussion about the wheel bearing issue. Normally the load should be centered on the bearing, and using spacers will offset the load. This post from "
4wheelspacers
" (spacer vendor) confirms the issue but mentions that they typically see premature wear only on the heavy vehicles or large trucks.
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...l#post16752390
I have 30mm spacers on my B5 A4, but that car already went through wheel bearings like nobody's business prior. Wheels bearings aren't the worst thing to replace, and I like how spacers look so I'm in the pro-spacers camp.
maybe for the first time someone in this forum could answer me, other than concerns with clamp loads, what is the difference between a spacer and a higher offset wheel
OP- totally fine. Coincidentally I'm running the same setup on 17's.
In my previous life I spent years playing around with wheel and tire fitment. Changing out spacers, tires, wheel barrels. The car saw track time and never once had a failure.
Nothing.
Not a mechanical engineer so I will give you a non-educated explanation.
The risk with spacers is that it will require longer lugs or wheel studs that will have to deal with more stress and the risk of snapping. Whereas a wider set of wheels with the proper offset will not require longer lugs or studs.
Obviously the key here is to go with the strongest lugs or studs you can find that can withstand the extra stress.
Probably not across car makes/brands but certainly across all wheels for a single brand, as long as they are meant to be used with the OEM wheel bolts. In case a car manufacturer uses different sizes of bolts then this is limited to wheels for models that use that particular bolt size.
There you go. Bolt pocket depth isn't universal. So the argument for added stress on the bolts is null. What ISN'T up for debate is how much thread needs to be captured by the hub. There are absolutely guidelines for that.
I have a set of 996.2 cup BBS e88 and they are built with extra long 35 mm lug bores to strengthen the wheels. I guess those guys needed it to keep up with their shenanigans.
I discussed spacers with my indy. They don't like them. They suggested getting wider wheels instead, i.e. GT3 fitment on my targa. That would keep the load centered in the same place on the hub/bearings/etc.
I've always used Hub centric spacers on track cars, never had issues, Some cars depending on the track I've gone 22MM, it heats the bearings up a tick more but if it gets a second off the clock we send it.. (Yes I have used gear to measure hub temps on track.. )
FWIW, I think the H&R spacers are by far the best fitting best made ones I've used.. They can even be stacked so if you want adjustability you can get a couple sets with different thicknesses.
Spacers do not equal adapters.. Adapters have their own studs and get bolted to the hub with the original lugs.
Some are sold as spacers, I avoid Aluminum ones like the plague.. Just seen enough of them broken usually by improper install..
Folks may be making more out of spacer issues than what they really should.
The most stress you will put on your bearings will be on the track. Doubt most folks can drive fast enough on the street to make any difference. As a point of reference, I had my bearings replaced after 12 years of track and street driving just for a refresh, even though they weren't failing at the time. I have run 7 and 15mm spacers on my two sets of Carerra 2 Five spoke wheels for 20 years+. I also use wheel studs not lug nuts if it matters.
But sure, if you want to get a new set of wheels for $4k that are wider and don't need spacers, then go for it! If not, why not use spacers?
Nevertheless, it's a 20+ year old car, you will eventually have to replace your bearings. Just like you will eventually have to rebuild your calipers. Parts eventually wear down and need to be replaced or refreshed. Just kinda the way it is.
A meaty looking 996 with spacers or wider wheels is always a sight to behold. May even handle better as well.
Isn�t that what we do here on Rennlist? New wheels, will also require new lug bolts, which will require new hubs, as they could be worn...after all they did have a bolt threaded into them and tighten, with hubs will require new bearings, control arms, subframe, all fasteners, possibly a new tub, as it too has years of wear and stresses.
I have some on end front and like
@GC996
said, unless you�re actively tracking the car with an absurd spacer width� it�s a moot point. I have a 7mm up front that was included in
@Martin996rsr
kit, no issues at all.
Hoping someone will correct me if I�m wrong, but I think I remember some posts on RL that spacers were an option or used in some configurations of the 996 from the factory.
Hoping somebody can confirm and provide more info, or debunk my failing memory
.
Thanks for the info. If Porsche felt 17mm spacers were OK from the factory, I would think that eliminates any doubt about them being fine as an aftermarket addition.
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