All You Need To Know About Wheel Spacers

What Are Wheel Spacers?

Wheel spacers are aftermarket devices that fit between your vehicle’s wheel hub and the wheel itself, pushing the wheels outward from the hub. Many enthusiasts install them to achieve a wider stance for improved appearance, to clear larger brake systems, or to adjust for different wheel offsets.

How Do I Choose Wheel Spacers?

When selecting wheel spacers, it’s important to match the right specs for both safety and performance. Here are several factors you need to consider:

• Bolt Pattern – Your wheel spacers must match your vehicle’s bolt pattern. Look for a series of numbers like 5x114.3. The first number represents the number of mounting studs, while the second is the diameter in millimeters. In this example, the numbers indicate that the car has five lug nuts on a bolt circle with a diameter of 114.3.
• Wheel Spacer Thickness - Thicker spacers push the wheel further out, creating a more aggressive stance. But extreme thickness can affect handling and safety.
• Material - Steel is heavier and stronger, which makes it well suited to hard-use applications that can handle the extra weight. Aluminum wheel spacers are often preferred because they offer a perfect balance between strength, weight, and corrosion resistance. 
• Hub Centric Design - Hub-centric spacers fit snugly to your hub and use a centering ring. This reduces the risk of vibration.
• Lug Centric Wheel Spacers - Lug-centric spacers rely only on properly torqued conical lug nuts and may not always center perfectly.
• Quality Brands - Always choose reputable brands for your wheel spacers. Low quality wheel spacers can lead to vibration, excess wobble, or even failure. If you’re unsure how to choose the right size wheel spacers, consult with a mechanic or specialist. They can measure and recommend the safest option for your vehicle.

Types Of Wheel Spacers

Different types of wheel spacers are available depending on design, fitment, installation method and application. Below are some of the most common types of wheel spacers:

How Do I Measure For Wheel Spacers?

You will need the following basic tools to get accurate measurements. Have a tape measure, ruler and caliper handy and follow these steps:

1. Measure your vehicle’s wheel gap: You will need to know the distance between your fender lip and the outer edge of your wheels. Wheel spacers that are up to and including 12mm typically will not rub.
2. Measure the current wheel offset: This is the distance between the mounting surface of the wheel and the centerline of the wheel. Measure and notate this distance in millimeters.
3. Measure the clearance between the wheel and suspension: You need to ensure that there is enough clearance between the wheel and the suspension after installing the wheel spacers. Measure the clearance using a ruler or caliper.
4. Determine the desired wheel spacing: To achieve the desired look or performance, determine how much you want to push the wheels outwards. This will depend on your specific preferences and the make and model of your car.
5. Calculate the required spacer thickness: Subtract the current wheel offset from the desired wheel spacing. The result is the thickness of the wheel spacer that you need.
6. Determine the vehicle’s thread pitch: The thread pitch refers to the distance between each thread on a bolt, and it's usually expressed in metric units. Once you have determined the thread pitch of your car's bolts, you can choose wheel spacers that have bolts with the same thread pitch. For example, if your car's bolts have an M14x1.5 thread pitch, you should choose wheel spacers that have M14x1.5 bolts.

Note: It's important to ensure that the length of the spacer bolts matches the length of your car's standard bolts, plus any additional length required for the spacer thickness. This will ensure that the spacer bolts provide a secure and safe connection between the wheel and the car's hub.

FAQs About Wheel Spacers

Do wheel spacers improve handling?
Yes, in many cases, especially with wider stances. However, too thick of a spacer can have the opposite effect.

Do wheel spacers affect alignment?
They don’t directly change alignment, but they may highlight existing issues if the car wasn’t aligned properly beforehand.

Do wheel spacers cause vibration?
Only if they’re poor quality or have been improperly installed. Hub-centric wheel spacers are the best choice for minimizing vibration.

Will wheel spacers void warranty?
A warranty can't be voided solely because someone has installed an aftermarket part, but be aware that some aftermarket parts can cause issues that may not be covered under your warranty. Check your vehicle's warranty before making any modifications.

Wheel spacers vs adapters – what’s the difference?
Spacers push wheels out but keep the same bolt pattern. Adapters also change the bolt patterns so you can fit different wheels.

How Much Are Wheel Spacers?

Wheel spacer pricing depends on design, material, thickness, and brand. Prices vary greatly, but you can expect to spend a few hundreds dollars on a quality set.

Can I Install Wheel Spacers Myself?

Yes, you can perform wheel spacer installation at home even if you have very little mechanical experience. However, precision is key.

High-Quality Wheel Spacers From EuroSport Tuning

We stock a huge selection of high-quality performance auto parts that enhance the capabilities of your Audi, BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Volvo and more. We have hands-on experience with the products we sell and stock the kinds of premium wheel spacers that we would put on our own cars.

Many of our parts are shipped same day, and we have a simple no-hassle returns policy for extra peace of mind. Take your stance to the next level with our great aftermarket alloys and adapters, too.

If you're ready to enhance your ride with a high-quality wheel spacer kit (or more!) then contact our knowledgeable team or order online today.