Are you looking to improve the handling of your vehicle or want to achieve a more aggressive stance? Installing wheel spacers can help you achieve both. Wheel spacers are small metal discs that sit between the hub and wheel, pushing the wheel outwards. This creates a wider track, improving your car’s stability and handling. If you’re planning on installing wheel spacers, it’s important to do it correctly to avoid any damage to your vehicle.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through the steps of installing wheel spacers. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right type of wheel spacer to installing them correctly. By following these steps, you’ll be able to give your car the perfect look and improve its performance.
Types of Wheel Spacers
Before installing wheel spacers, it’s important to understand the two main types of wheel spacers available: hub-centric and lug-centric.
Hub Centric
Hub-centric spacers are designed to fit snugly onto the hub of your vehicle. This design ensures that the weight of the car is distributed evenly across the hub and not just the lug nuts. Hub-centric spacers also help to reduce the amount of vibration felt in the car.
Lug Centric
Lug-centric spacers, on the other hand, are placed on the studs of the car and are centered by the lug nuts. Lug-centric spacers are usually cheaper than hub-centric spacers but are not recommended for high-performance vehicles.
When choosing between hub-centric and lug-centric spacers, it’s important to consider your specific needs. If you’re looking for better performance and handling, hub-centric spacers are the better option. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable option, lug-centric spacers will do the job.
Choosing the Right Wheel Spacers
Before purchasing wheel spacers, it’s important to measure the bolt pattern and thread size of your car. This will ensure that you purchase the right size spacers for your vehicle. Additionally, you’ll need to determine the right thickness of the spacers depending on your car’s requirements.
The material of the spacers is also important. Most wheel spacers are made from high-quality aluminum, which is lightweight and durable. However, some spacers are made from cheaper materials, which can lead to problems down the line.
By choosing the right wheel spacers, you’ll ensure that they’re a perfect fit for your vehicle and that they’ll last for years to come.
Choosing the Right Wheel Spacers (Continued)
Measuring the bolt pattern and thread size of your car is a crucial step in choosing the right wheel spacers. If you’re unsure how to do this, you can refer to your car’s manual or take your car to a mechanic who can help you with this process. Once you have the measurements, you can purchase the right size spacers for your car.
Determining the right thickness of the spacers is also important. If you’re looking to achieve a more aggressive stance, you’ll need thicker spacers. However, thicker spacers can also affect the handling of your vehicle, so it’s important to choose the right thickness based on your specific needs.
Finally, considering the material of the spacers is important. High-quality aluminum spacers are the best option as they’re lightweight and durable. Cheaper materials can lead to problems down the line, so it’s best to invest in high-quality spacers.
Removing the Wheels
Before installing wheel spacers, you’ll need to remove your car’s wheels. Here’s how you can do it:
Lifting the Car
Use a jack to lift your car off the ground. Make sure you place the jack in a safe and secure location, such as under the car’s frame or designated jack points. Never lift your car by the suspension or any other non-designated points.
Removing the Lug Nuts
Use a lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on your car’s wheels. It’s important to do this while the car is still on the ground to prevent the wheels from spinning. Once the lug nuts are loose, you can use a jack stand to support the car while you remove the wheels.
Removing the Wheels
Carefully remove the wheels from your car and set them aside. Make sure you don’t damage the wheels or scratch your car’s paint. Once the wheels are removed, you can proceed with installing the wheel spacers.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to safely remove your car’s wheels and prepare it for the installation of wheel spacers.
Installing the Wheel Spacers
Now that you’ve chosen the right type and size of wheel spacers, it’s time to install them. Here’s how to do it:
Cleaning the Hub and Spacer Surfaces
Before installing the wheel spacers, make sure that the hub and spacer surfaces are clean and free of any dirt or debris. This will ensure that the spacers sit flush against the hub and wheel, providing a secure fit.
Placing the Spacer on the Hub
Place the wheel spacer onto the hub of the car. Make sure that the spacer is sitting evenly and that it’s centered on the hub.
Tightening the Spacer with the Lug Nuts
Once the spacer is in place, it’s time to tighten it with the lug nuts. Use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts to the manufacturer’s recommended torque specification. This will ensure that the spacer is secured to the hub and won’t come loose while you’re driving.
Reinstalling the Wheels
With the spacers in place, it’s time to reinstall the wheels. Here’s how to do it:
Placing the Wheels on the Spacer
Place the wheels onto the spacer and make sure that they’re sitting evenly. If you’re using hub-centric spacers, make sure that the wheels are properly centered on the hub.
Tightening the Lug Nuts
With the wheels in place, it’s time to tighten the lug nuts. Use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts to the manufacturer’s recommended torque specification. This will ensure that the wheels are secured to the spacer and won’t come loose while you’re driving.
Lowering the Car
Once the lug nuts are tightened, lower the car back to the ground. Use a torque wrench to recheck the torque specification of the lug nuts after driving for a few miles. This is important to ensure that the lug nuts haven’t loosened up while driving.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed wheel spacers on your vehicle. With the right tools and knowledge, installing wheel spacers is a simple and effective way to improve the look and performance of your car.