Wheel spacers are a popular modification among car enthusiasts. They can improve your vehicle’s handling by widening the track and allowing the installation of larger brakes or custom wheels. But can they ever damage your vehicle?

The short answer is that when installed correctly, high-quality wheel spacers are perfectly safe and will not damage your vehicle. However, as with any modification, improper installation or the use of low-quality products can lead to serious problems. Read on to learn what you need to know when it comes to car wheel spacers and potential vehicle damage.

What Are Wheel Spacers and How Do They Work?

A wheel spacer is a precision-engineered metal disc that fits between your car’s wheel hub and the wheel itself. By adding this extra thickness, the spacer pushes the wheel further out from the hub, effectively widening your vehicle’s track.

They come in two main types:

1. Slip-on (or pass-through) spacers: These are simple discs with holes that align with your wheel studs. You slip them over the existing studs and then mount your wheel. This type usually requires longer wheel studs to ensure there is enough thread for the lug nuts to grip securely.
2. Bolt-on (or hub-centric with studs) spacers: These spacers bolt directly onto your existing hub studs. They have their own set of new studs built into them, which your wheel then mounts onto. This design is generally considered more secure, especially for thicker spacers.

The primary function of wheel spacers is to create extra clearance. You might need to prevent a wider tire from rubbing against suspension components or to fit a big brake kit that wouldn’t otherwise clear your wheel’s spokes. Aesthetically, they push the wheels out to be flush with the fenders, creating a more aggressive and planted look.

The Potential Risks of Wheel Spacers

While quality wheel spacers are safe, potential damage can occur if you don’t choose and install them with care. Most issues with wheel spacers stem from a few key areas: poor-quality materials, improper installation, and incorrect sizing.

Increased Wear on Suspension Components

Accelerated wear on wheel bearings, ball joints, and hubs is one of the most cited concerns when using wheel spacers. By pushing the wheel further out, spacers increase the scrub radius and place additional leverage on these components.

Think of it like holding a weight. Holding it close to your body is easy, but keeping it extended is much harder. The spacer acts like that extended arm, putting more stress on the bearing. While a high-quality bearing can withstand significant loads, poor-quality or excessively wide spacers can accelerate wear over time.

Vibration and Handling Issues

Improperly installed or low-quality spacers are a primary cause of vehicle vibration. If the spacer is not perfectly hub-centric, it can create an imbalance that you’ll feel as a vibration, especially at higher speeds.

• Hub-centric vs. lug-centric: Hub-centric spacers have a center bore that sits in the vehicle’s hub, maintaining the wheel in the proper position. Lug-centric spacers only use the lug nuts to center the wheel spacer, which can be less precise and cause vibration. Hub-centric spacers are a great choice for a smooth and safe ride.

Risk of Wheel Detachment

This is the most frightening, and thankfully rarest, risk. Wheel detachment almost always comes down to installation error.

• Insufficient thread engagement: If you use slip-on spacers without installing longer wheel studs, your lug nuts may not have enough thread to hold the wheel on securely. A general rule of thumb is that the lug nut should turn at least six to eight full rotations before tightening.
• Incorrect torque: Both the spacer (on bolt-on types) and the wheel must be torqued to the manufacturer’s specifications. Overtightening can stretch and weaken the studs, while undertightening can allow the lug nuts to back off over time. Using a calibrated torque wrench is not optional; it’s essential.

Damage to Wheel Studs

Using low-quality aluminum for spacers can be a major problem. Inferior materials can crack or deform under the stress of driving, leading to stud failure. Furthermore, if bolt-on spacers are not torqued correctly, the studs can loosen and eventually break.

How To Avoid Damage and Use Spacers Safely

The key to avoiding these issues lies in a three-step approach: buying a quality product, ensuring proper fitment, and installing it correctly.

1. Choose High-Quality Spacers

Not all wheel spacers are created equal. Avoid cheap, unbranded options you might find on auction sites. Look for spacers from reputable manufacturers that use high-grade materials.

• Material: The best spacers are typically made from T6 billet aluminum or forged steel. These materials offer an excellent combination of strength and light weight, ensuring they can withstand the stresses of driving without adding significant unsprung mass.
• Design: Always opt for hub-centric spacers. They are designed to match your vehicle’s specific hub bore, ensuring a perfect, vibration-free fit.

2. Get the Right Size

Measure twice, buy once. Before purchasing, determine the correct thickness for your needs.

• Measure clearance: Use a ruler or a stack of washers to measure the distance from the outer edge of your tire to the inside of your fender. This will tell you the maximum spacer thickness you can use without the tire rubbing on the fender.
• Check stud length: For slip-on spacers, ensure you have enough stud length for safe lug nut engagement. If not, you must install extended wheel studs.

3. Follow Proper Installation Procedures

This is the most critical step. Even the best spacers in the world can be dangerous if installed incorrectly.

• Clean the hub surface: Before installation, thoroughly clean the vehicle’s hub surface and the back of the wheel. Any rust, dirt, or debris can prevent the spacer and wheel from sitting flat, causing vibration.
• Use a torque wrench: This is a vital part of proper installations. Use a calibrated torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications. For bolt-on spacers, torque the nuts holding the spacer to the hub, then torque the nuts holding the wheel to the spacer.
• Re-torque after driving: After driving for about 50–100 miles, it’s crucial to re-check the torque on all lug nuts. This ensures that everything has settled into place and remains secure.

The Final Verdict

So, do wheel spacers damage your car? No, not if you are a responsible vehicle owner. When you invest in high-quality, hub-centric spacers made from durable materials and ensure certified professionals install them in accordance with specifications, they are a safe and effective modification.

The problems and horror stories you might hear almost always stem from cutting corners—using cheap, poorly made products or failing to follow proper installation techniques. By prioritizing quality and correct installation, you can achieve the look and performance benefits of wheel spacers without compromising your vehicle’s safety or integrity.

Looking for a tire shop in McAllen? RNR Tire Express has everything you need for your wheels. From our high-quality tire brands to our wheel frames, we make sure your tires work well at every level. Plus, with our affordable payment options, you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank when shopping. Come on in to browse our catalog!

Locations: McAllen, TX