Using wheel spacers long term

[JeffMerr]

I've had my spidertrax on my ride for about 10k and love them. It's time for new tires and I'd like to keep the stock sport wheels. In the past I've read of some issues with wheel spacers causing the wheel bearings to wear faster and it always seems like people are using spacers until they buy new offset wheels. I don't think I've heard from anyone who runs spacers long term like the life of the vehicle for example. Id like to run these for the next 50k until I eventually sell the vehicle. Are there any risks in doing this? Should spacers be somewhat temporary for any reason?

 

[cloudrunner]

I've had mine on from 90k to 140k and everything is fine.

 

[truckhigh]

wheel spacers and stock wheels are safer then 75% of the aftermarket wheels i see. That 75% aren't even hub centric and most people don't even know what to look for. if you buy rims just get a hub centric one and you will save the weight of the spacer and lug failure.

 

[RonJR]

There is absolutely no difference in bearing stress between a wheel offset or the equivalent wheel spacer. The geometry is exactly the same as far as the bearings are concerned.

 

[jrm]

When i bought

new 255/75/17 tires i also bought some 14' sr5 wheels. I think i gained around 1.5" in width. Never ran spacers.

 

[JeffMerr]

Thanks for the replies. Makes me feel a little better about keeping these on permanently. Is there anything I should do to safety wise like check the torque every 10k or something? Or just leave them alone. They were installed professionally by a 4x4 shop.

 

[calvinv8sr5]

Might wanna invest in those deeper style lug nuts for the spacer

live action!!

 

[LTDSC]

Might wanna invest in those deeper style lug nuts for the spacer

live action!!

i have these, but only for further peace of mind. Never had an issue and i am tough on my suspension and hubs.

 

[kevinpt]

Thanks for the replies. Makes me feel a little better about keeping these on permanently. Is there anything I should do to safety wise like check the torque every 10k or something? Or just leave them alone. They were installed professionally by a 4x4 shop.

i check mine every oil change or so. if they were installed with red loctite check them at around 75 ft lbs or so. i removed mine to do rotors and with the red loctite they are really on there good. some have had them fall off but that was only from installing them the wrong way. as far as longer studs if you have spidertrax 1.25 spacers the fronts will have no problems but some do install rear studs on the front, the only change is it will be easy to put the lug nut on but they fit fine even with the stock front lug nuts

 

[truckhigh]

If you torque it with loctite the. You don't have to touch them again. Torquing again will break the seal.

FYI- I took off my all pro extended lugs because it needs a 5/8 thin wall socket. I didn't want to keep a 1/2 wrench and socket all the time plus my impact thin wall socket was too big.

 

[GiXeR007]

How are they when towing a camper?

I have a weight distribution hitch and tow around 5k in weight.

Any issues with spacers??

 

[truckhigh]

How are they when towing a camper?

I have a weight distribution hitch and tow around 5k in weight.

Any issues with spacers??

They will be fine and the extra width helps with swaying.

 

[970mtnrunner]

I've had mine on for about 80k now. Wheeling, towing, long distance towing, and 1000 mile drives in 14 hrs.... never an issue

 

[GiXeR007]

Well I put mine on yesterday. Just a little rubbing when turning full lock. Other wise so far so good.

 

[calvinv8sr5]

Anyone notice their ride getting a little rougher after spacers. .. i put 2 inch front and back

live action!!

 

[BobbyZee]

I have 1.25" SpiderTrax for about 65k miles and been happy so far.