Wheel spacers mainly affect handling in two factors: increasing the track width and adding more inner wheel clearance. Since spacers essentially move the wheel center closer to the hub assembly, they subtract the offset. Reduced offsets result in larger track widths. Because of this wider track, wheel spacers improve handling characteristics. By enlarging the contacting points, tires can generate increased lateral grip. This can improve cornering speeds and stability.
In addition, widening the track gives your car an exaggerated, sporty, and powerful look. The effect is most pronounced with larger wheels and tires. With wheel spacers, you can add more inner wheel clearance. This is effective to prevent bigger rims or wider tires from rubbing against fenders, shock absorbers, and other suspension parts. At this point, wheel spacers improve handling by fitting these performance kits to your vehicle.
How to Determine the Proper Wheel Spacers?
Wheel spacers are mainly divided into two types: bolt-on type and slip-type. If you need around 3mm to 20mm wheel spacers, slip-on types will be a perfect option. Since they are not pressed with wheel studs, slip-on wheel spacers can be thinner and lighter. Because of this, you would need a set of new extended wheel bolts to secure the spacers and wheels properly. Luckily, the installation process is the same as installing the wheels.
If you need above 25mm wheel spacers, professional mechanics will recommend bolt-on types. Because pushing a wheel outward about 1 inch needs more clamping force to keep wheel balanced. The bolt-on spacers are bolted to the vehicle hubs with provided wheel bolts. Then the wheels are secured on the spacers with OE lug bolts. Two sets of wheel lugs help keep the wheel-spacer connection firm and stable. You don’t need to worry about vibration issues.
Are Installing Wheel Spacers Legal?
Actually, installing wheel spacers is legal and allowable in most countries and regions. There are various applications and they can be measured and installed quite easily with some knowledgeable mechanicals. To figure out whether wheel spacers are legal in a particular area of the country, inquiring from a city or state’s law enforcement agency or automobile regulatory body will be helpful.
Some famous aftermarket wheel suppliers will provide wheel spacers to fit offset wheels. BONOSS wheel spacers are produced with top-quality materials to provide optimum performance to the vehicle. Made of advanced machinery and undergone a series of safety tests, they are approved by SGS and TÜV. These SGS TÜV-certified wheel spacers are completely legal to use.
