Any issues with wheel spacers?

[LGCO]

First post...woo hoo!

Anyway, I'm installing a 2.5/1.5 spacer lift on my "new to me" '08 in a couple of weeks and was thinking about adding Spydertrax at the same time.

I know there I'll need to do a little trimming, but other than that, are there any issues I need to worry about.

Specifically, do they change ride quality, steering, or possibly cause any mechanical issues down the road?

Thanks in advance.
LGCO

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

i was wondering the same thing. I would have to imagine it would wear wheel bearings out faster since it puts the wheels further out from the original location? correct me if im wrong. it seems like the further out the wheels stick it will cause more weight to press down on the joints.

 

[12guns]

Like he said....I have read that they can cause early wheel bearing wear. I went through countless bearings on my old Tacoma, it's not cheap nor fun.
Spidertrax look cool, but after reading about bearing issues I won't be adding them for the "look". Just my opinion

 

[audiqtr]

Yes, it is a possibility down the road. Wheel spacers will put added stress to components and may and will decrease the life span of wheels bearings etc. Increased upsprung weight also exerts more force on all the related components in the long run and will have minor effects on handling, braking, etc... To what extend? that's the unknown.
Spidertrax is the most used wheels spacers out there and it's a good product. Not many experience problems with it.

 

[LGCO]

Thanks for the responses. I still cant decide if it's worth the risk, but at least I have a little time to make a decision.

 

[MaliciousClout]

Thanks for the responses. I still cant decide if it's worth the risk, but at least I have a little time to make a decision.

I am also considering this mod; what exactly do you plan to get and where do you plan to get it from?

 

[zon]

So what’s the difference between spacers and using aftermarket wheels with an offset?? You don’t hear of any issues with wheels, so I would expect the same results with spacers. My guess, and it's just a guess, is that both would have a negligible impact on bearing life. Space away.

 

[LGCO]

MaliciousClout - I'm ordering a Daystar 2.5/1.5 and spydertrax 1.25" from a local parts store.

Zon, that sounds like pretty good logic. I don't really understand the hub-centric thing, but from what I think I understand then place where the hub takes the load is the same, the change in weight is small enough to ignore, but the moment arm increases which puts a little more leverage on the hub. I have no clue if that's enough of a difference to prematurely wear out a the bearing.

I've searched this site and others without finding much evidence that the spacers (or wheels that do the same thing, for that matter) cause serious problems. I'm leaning towards giving them a shot. I can always ebay them if things start to go wonky.

 

[offshorebear]

They increase bearing wear. How much? Is it worth worry about for the price of bearings? I don't know.

Depending on the design, spacers might be weaker than a wheel with different offset, but the wear will be similar.

I don't really understand the desire to go to spacers unless you are running very big tires and can't clear the control arm. Just get a new control arm.