97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
Damn, glad everyone is ok, scary stuff!
BE CAREFUL if you install wheel spacers
- Thread starter typehxr1
- Start date
gshadow325
New member
correct, spacer mounts to the HUB like how a wheel would mount. Lug centric and hub centric
On their website, there is no "offroad use only" disclaimer. There is however a authorized reseller/retailer disclaimer.
Not really, my friends shop had a similar incident that went like this
-customer brings vehicle for inspection to shop A
-shop A brings it to a sub contractor shop B
-shop B slaps stickers on the car
-shop A installs front brake pads
-shop B, part of inspection process is to write down how much brake pad is left and mark off what wheels they took of. Left front and right rear.
Customer has front RIGHT wheel fall off. causes $25k in damage and totals 2 vehicle. total cost $100k
In court customer gets $250k pain and suffering settlement
Shop B's insurnace foots the WHOLE bill since they were the ones that inspected the vehicle. There was no reciept from Shop A, cash transaction, just the stickers from shop B. They were both named in lawsuit though.
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
Just throw those spacers in the trash. What a waste of time. There is a reason some states ban them. I never understood why some people do them just for looks. If you really off road at least like I do in the desert the last thing you want is your wheels sticking out farther trying to get around rocks on narrow Jeep trails.
So what makes a wheel more likely to come off when a spacer is used than when a wheel is directly on the hub?
Also, what I saw on the Spidertrax site ("off-road only") was on the installation instructions that you download.
That is exactly the reason they are not DOT approved. I am not getting into the debate over whether or not they are safe, but they add a layer of complexity to something without adding additional security. You can't check the torque on the lug nuts without removing the wheel and you can't see a problem until it rolls away. Loctite is not something I would want to rely on. Buying correct fitting wheels is the better choice. I know it is cheaper to go with spacers, but you have to pay to play and taking short cuts isn't always the best choice.
My big fear in running a non DOT approved device would be getting denied by insurance or worse getting sued if there was an injury. One of those ambulance chasing attorneys would be all over something like that.
My big fear in running a non DOT approved device would be getting denied by insurance or worse getting sued if there was an injury. One of those ambulance chasing attorneys would be all over something like that.
LTDSC
New member
not everyone does jeep trails there pimp. Ever seen offroad racing? Wider track width more flotation in sand/dirt. Spacers arent the problem, shit installs are. I've NEVER had an issue on any spacers i've ever installed and ran 36x15.5 tires on 2" spacers and beat the piss out of the truck in Pismo. Not one backed off or loosened any. Sorry you think everyone needs to wheel a jeep trail or rock crawl to be any competent off road vehicle. Your mindset is what makes Jeep people hated.
Your attitude towards things you dont understand is disgusting.
Oh noes, spacers on all 4 corners. Ill never be able to go up a trail!
My fullsize made it everywhere my friends XJ did. Plz go with your shit logic.
EDIT: before you go on a rage about those arent 15.5s
Once again 2" spacers all around. Not ONE ball joint/hub failure either.
Last edited:
gshadow325
New member
thats a nice rig and some valid points there [MENTION=87687]LTDSC[/MENTION]
i noticed op was General Information
Last Activity: Today 01:53 PM
Join Date: 08-14-2013
and didnt chime in on this wonderful discussion
personally, i would not do spacers if i plann on wheeling. i would be scared. but then again i do 30mm rears on my convertible LoL
i noticed op was General Information
Last Activity: Today 01:53 PM
Join Date: 08-14-2013
and didnt chime in on this wonderful discussion
personally, i would not do spacers if i plann on wheeling. i would be scared. but then again i do 30mm rears on my convertible LoL
Last edited:
Doozi
New member
This seems really unusual to me... as stated above, the weight of the vehicle is supported by the hub-centric rings. I've run mine for well over a year now without issue. My hubs are in really good shape (no rust or anything), but I cleaned them really well and applied a thin film of grease just to keep them from sticking together. One thing I would definitely recommend is Vibra-Tite VC3 Vibra-Tite VC-3 Threadmate - Vibra-Tite... I think it's much better than Loc-Tite. I use 85 ft-lbs for adapter-to-hub and then 80 ft-lbs for wheel-to-adapter.
[OP]: Has anyone ever used impact wrenches on your lugs? I'm wondering if they had been abused by a tire shop or something and over torqued at some point during their lives.
At any rate... I'm so glad that you had the skill and reaction to come out of that safely!! WOW! That could've been a lot worse.
[OP]: Has anyone ever used impact wrenches on your lugs? I'm wondering if they had been abused by a tire shop or something and over torqued at some point during their lives.
At any rate... I'm so glad that you had the skill and reaction to come out of that safely!! WOW! That could've been a lot worse.
wnelax04sr5
New member
im coming up on 1 year with spidertrax 1.25 all the way around. put them on with a spacer lift, truck has been driven 10k since they went on, that includes mild offroad, commuting, towing, and 300 mile straight trips, a new set of tires, alignment, 1 tire rotation, and not a shake, wobble, or shimmy. if the OP is scaring anyone off from spacers, he had an extreme case, the cause of which is probably up in the air still. im not scared, nor should anyone running spacers be, given they installed correctly
EDIT: heres my friends XJ running 2" wheel spacers. he wheels the piss out of it, no issues.
EDIT: heres my friends XJ running 2" wheel spacers. he wheels the piss out of it, no issues.
Attachments
Last edited:
BlackWorksInc
New member
Something doesn't add up here...
Those tires look stock, and a dealership is NOT going to put non-stock tires on a stock vehicle as a used car. They're gonna put the cheapest set of tires they can get away with, which means they're probably gonna go with the stock tire size.
Basing what the OP said, there's little too no reason he should have needed SpiderTraxx on his vehicle. Granted you can see there's an aftermarket lift kit installed (ToyTec from the looks of it), but that would not mean he needs the spacers. That just sort of set my suspicions on alert is all...
I also have to agree with some members who are stating that the OP might be at fault here. GShadow325 clearly explained some stuff pretty well; but the other thing people haven't seemed to ask/mention:
Did the OP check the torque on his wheels AFTER installing the spacers? I believe SpiderTraxx even tells you to check them after a week or so and re torque them. This is because as SunGod pointed out you add a layer of complexity to the assembly and this requires some extra attention. Just because you slap Loctite and torque them once doesn't mean they don't get loose; particularly if you DIDN'T clean the hub and so on that can cause it to work itself loose as the rust is crushed and the offset spacer has space to move.
I wonder if they were over torqued? Many people will use a torque wrench to "check" torque not realizing that just because it reaches that click doesn't mean its at that torque setting.
i.e. Use an impact gun to torque a bolt on max setting and hold it down for a good 10 seconds. Use a torque wrench to check the torque, hey it clicks at 30ftlbs, and 90ftlbs, and 120ftlbs, ect ect ect.
I have my suspicions based on what little information we have at the moment and would need a response from the OP...
At this point I'm ruling this as either the OP's potential Fault
and/or
An attempt to create a false precedent for a future litigation against SpiderTraxx or Set-up a false advertising campaign.
Those tires look stock, and a dealership is NOT going to put non-stock tires on a stock vehicle as a used car. They're gonna put the cheapest set of tires they can get away with, which means they're probably gonna go with the stock tire size.
Basing what the OP said, there's little too no reason he should have needed SpiderTraxx on his vehicle. Granted you can see there's an aftermarket lift kit installed (ToyTec from the looks of it), but that would not mean he needs the spacers. That just sort of set my suspicions on alert is all...
I also have to agree with some members who are stating that the OP might be at fault here. GShadow325 clearly explained some stuff pretty well; but the other thing people haven't seemed to ask/mention:
Did the OP check the torque on his wheels AFTER installing the spacers? I believe SpiderTraxx even tells you to check them after a week or so and re torque them. This is because as SunGod pointed out you add a layer of complexity to the assembly and this requires some extra attention. Just because you slap Loctite and torque them once doesn't mean they don't get loose; particularly if you DIDN'T clean the hub and so on that can cause it to work itself loose as the rust is crushed and the offset spacer has space to move.
I wonder if they were over torqued? Many people will use a torque wrench to "check" torque not realizing that just because it reaches that click doesn't mean its at that torque setting.
i.e. Use an impact gun to torque a bolt on max setting and hold it down for a good 10 seconds. Use a torque wrench to check the torque, hey it clicks at 30ftlbs, and 90ftlbs, and 120ftlbs, ect ect ect.
I have my suspicions based on what little information we have at the moment and would need a response from the OP...
At this point I'm ruling this as either the OP's potential Fault
and/or
An attempt to create a false precedent for a future litigation against SpiderTraxx or Set-up a false advertising campaign.
Last edited:
I am glad that no one was hurt. That is a very unfortunate situation.
As far as the wheel spacers, I think something was installed incorrectly. My self and friends have wheel spacers on our wheeling trucks, that get jumped, flopped, rolled, and just plain hammered on, and we have not had any issues (knock on wood). The wheel spacers I have are not even close to the quality of the SpiderTrax units. Installed correctly, there is really no difference between them, and running a wheel with less backspacing. Flush fit, and proper torque are key.
As far as the wheel spacers, I think something was installed incorrectly. My self and friends have wheel spacers on our wheeling trucks, that get jumped, flopped, rolled, and just plain hammered on, and we have not had any issues (knock on wood). The wheel spacers I have are not even close to the quality of the SpiderTrax units. Installed correctly, there is really no difference between them, and running a wheel with less backspacing. Flush fit, and proper torque are key.
Last edited:
gshadow325
New member
It can possibly be. Since it was a used car. It could have been stretched before. I can't say many home mechanics are like me with a whole assortment of snap on tools and a 75 gallon air tank. If op installed it himself, I would guess he didn't have access to air.
Okay...got to a computer so I can type faster. Let me see if I can cover everything.
If I missed something, let me know.
Oh...and and the spacer was completely torqued to my rim when I found it. The stock studs were completely sheared at the rotor. I don't have anymore pics unfortunately
- Regarding the process of getting the truck to stop, I held very firm, steady pressure on the brakes and held the wheel with both hands. What helped is that I was on a very level, straight stretch of highway. What also helped was my lift. The additional ground clearance definitely helped once I was riding on the front rotor. Had I not had the lift, the front end could have very well been grabbed by the pavement and caused a ton of control problems. Somehow, the fact that the road was wet from a recent downpour didn't make things worse.
- I torqued all lug nuts with a torque wrench properly adjusted to the settings in the instructions...between 90-100. And yes, I know how to adjust it as I use one for work.
- GHS, my bad I couldn't see your "this thread is worthless without pics" smiley on my tapatalk app. My bad
- I am not trying to bash Spidertraxx or trying to start a lawsuit, but that theory sounds legit!
- I have gone over the scenario over and over again (the install and the accident) and remembered something. The lug nuts that were supplied to attach the spacers to the stock studs were supposed to be installed with a specific side facing the brake rotor. On the wheel that came off, I installed those lugs facing away from the rotor. The other 3 were installed as per the instructions. It would be very easy to presume this was the cause of the studs shearing. If installing an open-ended lug nut the wrong direction would cause a failure then I say that sucks. My fault, they should be able to be installed both ways. I have to agree that my studs may have been overtorqued in the past. I did buy it a month ago with 114k miles.
- Regarding the tires, they are larger than stock. Stock sidewall is a 65 and the Falken's the Ford dealership put on are 70s...more specifically, 265/70/17 Rocky Mountains
- I am being taken care of by State Farm. I fricking love them
- BIG THANKS to all of you who extended warm comments about my health and safety. I didn't think it was as big of a deal at the time. Between my wife, the tow truck driver, the claims person @ State Farm, the collision center guy, and the service rep at the dealership, I was made very aware that I was lucky to be alive and/or that the 4Runner was not upside down in a ditch and totaled.
If I missed something, let me know.
Oh...and and the spacer was completely torqued to my rim when I found it. The stock studs were completely sheared at the rotor. I don't have anymore pics unfortunately
