Wheel spacers are just components that move the wheels and tires out several millimeters further from the hub assembly. If the alignment was fine before, it will be fine after installing wheel spacers. They do not affect toe in, camber, or caster. That is to say, you do not need an alignment if you are just adding spacers. But if you are changing something in your suspension (for example, lowering with aftermarket coilovers), then you would need an alignment.
Adding spacers is similar to changing to lower-offset rims. If you use quality ones and install them correctly, the spacers themselves don’t cause any problems. Since they don’t sustain the vehicle’s weight, using wheel spacers is generally considered to be safe. Properly spacing the tires out increases the track width. This not only adds more stability but also makes your car look cooler.
What Do Wheel Spacers Do In Toe?
Wheel spacers are necessary when wheel rubbing occurs, no matter toe-in or toe-out. Generally, people toe in or toe out to make their cars handle better. It is the difference in the distance between the front and rear edges of the rims on one axle. When you toe in, the distance at the rear is larger than the front. When you are toe out, the distance at the front is larger than the rear. Both these two stances may make one side of the wheel hit the inner fender well.
By pushing the wheels and tires outwards, wheel spacers create more clearance between the wheels and vehicle hubs. This is effective to prevent tires from rubbing against the suspension components or fenders. Simply, the distance a spacer moves the tire out of the thickness of that spacer. For instance, if you add a 20mm spacer to the wheel, then the wheel will be spaced out about 20mm (0.75″). So, you may need to do some measurements before getting a set of wheel spacers.
What Wheel Spacers Are Best for Toe?
When talking about wheel spacers for toe in/out, aluminum types come to priority. Because of good thermal conductivity, the aluminum wheel spacers will dissipate brake heat better. This is exactly good for rims or brakes. They feature nicer designs that add both style and function when you’re upgrading your vehicle. Forged wheel spacers are significantly lighter and stronger than cast ones. There are forged 6061-T6 and 7075-T6 aluminum wheel spacers. Both these two types of spacers are of good strength, toughness, hardness, and corrosion resistance. If you pursue extreme performance, the 7075-T6 spacers are well worth the investment.
