Wheel spacer question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 351
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From: Pensacola Fl
Wheel spacer question
I just got some 18x9.5 wheels with 5.5 inch backspacing. When I mounted them, the clearance on the inside seemed a little close. I probably have about 1/4 inch of clearance after I cut off the parking brake bracket. I was planning on using a 1/4 inch spacer and I don't know if I need to get longer studs or not. How many threads of engagement is good when I put the lugnuts. If I need longer studs, what length do I need? Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 1
From: East China MI
If you do not have at least one thread past the nut, you need longer studs. I have seen people run with a couple of threads left on the nut, but for safety I would not do it. Studs are cheap, why risk it?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I am running 18X10 in the rears with a 5.5 backspace and have no problems at all rubbing. Running 275 40 18s in the rear. It is tight but no rubbing. The sidewall does not flex much with the 40 series tires.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
TIA says the absolute minimun is to engage enough of the stud equal to the thickness of the stud, ie. a 7/16" stud should engage at least 7/16 " of threads. However they also discourage the use of spacers.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 97
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From: Trumbull CT
If you can get by without using the washer type spacers do it. They are bad news because they put the entire load of the car on the lugs instead sharing it with the wheel hub. The "safe" alternative is the bolt on spacer that bolts to your existing lugs and has another set of lugs to bolt the wheel to. To answer your question though, standard engineering practise is to have at least one full thread protruding through the fasterner. This ensures the sheer strength of the threads exceeds the tensile strength of the lug.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola Fl
Originally Posted by Gordonm
I am running 18X10 in the rears with a 5.5 backspace and have no problems at all rubbing. Running 275 40 18s in the rear. It is tight but no rubbing. The sidewall does not flex much with the 40 series tires.
I don't want to use an adapter because if I need to move the wheel out, it will only be about 1/4 inch. I haven't seen any adapters that small.
