Wheel spacers are often used to improve the appearance, handling, and performance of a vehicle by widening the track width and reducing the wheel gap. However, wheel spacers can also cause some problems if they are not installed or maintained properly. In this post, we will discuss some of the common problems with Porsche 928 wheel spacers and how to fix them.

How to Fix Common Problems with Porsche 928 Wheel Spacers?

Vibration with Porsche 928 Wheel Spacers

One of the most common complaints about wheel spacers is that they cause vibration in the steering wheel, pedals or seats. This can happen for several reasons:

  • The wheel spacers are not hub-centric. Hub-centric spacers are designed to fit snugly over the hub and center the wheel on it. Non-hub-centric spacers rely on the lug nuts to center the wheel, which can result in slight misalignment and imbalance.
  • The wheel spacers are not torqued properly. The lug nuts that secure the wheel spacers to the hub and the wheel to the spacers need to be tightened to the correct torque specification using a torque wrench. Under-tightening or over-tightening can cause the wheel to wobble or loosen.
  • The wheel spacers are too thick. Wheel spacers increase the offset of the wheel, which is the distance between the centerline of the wheel and the mounting surface of the hub. Increasing the offset too much can change the steering geometry and put more stress on the suspension components, leading to vibration and instability.

To fix vibration caused by wheel spacers, you should:

  • Use hub-centric spacers that match the hub diameter and bolt pattern of your Porsche 928. You can measure the hub diameter using a caliper or a ruler, and check the bolt pattern online or in your owner’s manual.
  • Torque the lug nuts to the recommended value using a torque wrench. For Porsche 928, the torque specification is 96 ft-lbs (130 Nm) for the front wheels and 81 ft-lbs (110 Nm) for the rear wheels.
  • Use spacers that are not too thick for your wheel and tire combination. The ideal offset for Porsche 928 is between 0 and 15 mm, depending on the wheel size and width. You can calculate the offset change caused by spacers using this formula: Offset change = Spacer thickness – (Wheel width – Spacer width) / 2. For example, if you have a 16×8 inch wheel with a 10 mm offset and you use a 20 mm spacer that is 8 inches wide, the offset change is: Offset change = 20 – (8 – 8) / 2 = 20 mm. This means that the new offset of the wheel is 10 + 20 = 30 mm, which is too high for Porsche 928 and may cause vibration.

Noise with Porsche 928 Wheel Spacers

Another common problem with wheel spacers is that they cause noise such as squeaking, clicking or grinding. This can happen for several reasons:

  • The wheel spacers are not clean or lubricated. Dirt, dust or rust can accumulate on the mating surfaces of the wheel spacers, hub and wheel, creating friction and noise. Lack of lubrication can also cause metal-to-metal contact and wear.
  • The wheel spacers are not flush or flat. If the wheel spacers are warped, bent or damaged, they can create gaps or uneven contact between the hub and wheel, causing noise and vibration.
  • The wheel spacers are not compatible with the wheel bolts or studs. Some wheel spacers require longer wheel bolts or studs to secure the wheel to the spacer. If the bolts or studs are too short, they may not thread properly or fully into the spacer, creating noise and looseness. If the bolts or studs are too long, they may protrude beyond the spacer and interfere with the brake rotor, caliper or dust shield, creating noise and damage.

To fix noise caused by wheel spacers, you should:

  • Clean and lubricate the mating surfaces of the wheel spacers, hub and wheel with anti-seize compound or grease. This will reduce friction and prevent corrosion.
  • Check the wheel spacers for any signs of damage or deformation and replace them if necessary. You can use a straight edge or a ruler to check the flatness of the spacers.
  • Use wheel bolts or studs that are compatible with the wheel spacers and the wheel. You can measure the length of the bolts or studs using a caliper or a ruler, and check the thread size and pitch online or in your owner’s manual. For Porsche 928, the thread size and pitch is M14x1.5. You can also use this formula to calculate the required bolt or stud length: Bolt or stud length = Spacer thickness + Hub thickness + Thread engagement. For example, if you have a 20 mm spacer, a 15 mm hub and you need 10 mm of thread engagement, the bolt or stud length is: Bolt or stud length = 20 + 15 + 10 = 45 mm.

Uneven Tire Wear with Porsche 928 Wheel Spacers

Another common problem with wheel spacers is that they cause uneven tire wear such as cupping, feathering or balding. This can happen for several reasons:

  • The wheel spacers change the alignment of the wheels. Wheel spacers alter the camber, caster and toe angles of the wheels, which affect how the tires contact the road. If the alignment is out of specification, the tires can wear unevenly and prematurely.
  • The wheel spacers change the load distribution of the wheels. Wheel spacers increase the track width of the vehicle, which is the distance between the left and right wheels. Increasing the track width can improve stability and cornering, but it can also increase the load on the outer tires and reduce the load on the inner tires, causing uneven wear.
  • The wheel spacers are not matched with the tires. Wheel spacers should be used with tires that have adequate clearance and fitment for the vehicle. If the tires are too wide, too tall or have a different aspect ratio than the stock tires, they may rub against the fender, bumper or suspension components, causing wear and damage.

To fix uneven tire wear caused by wheel spacers, you should:

  • Check and adjust the alignment of the wheels according to the manufacturer’s specifications. You can use an alignment machine or a DIY kit to measure and correct the camber, caster and toe angles of the wheels. For Porsche 928, the recommended alignment settings are: Camber: -0.5° to -1° (front), -1° to -1.5° (rear); Caster: 4.5° to 5.5° (front); Toe: 0° to 0.1° (front), -0.1° to -0.2° (rear).
  • Balance the load distribution of the wheels by adjusting the tire pressure and suspension settings. You can use a tire pressure gauge to check and inflate the tires to the recommended pressure. For Porsche 928, the recommended tire pressure is 36 psi (front) and 44 psi (rear). You can also use a spring compressor or a coilover kit to adjust the ride height and stiffness of the suspension.
  • Use tires that are compatible with the wheel spacers and the vehicle. You can use a tire size calculator to compare different tire sizes and find the best fitment for your vehicle. For Porsche 928, the stock tire size is 225/50R16 (front) and 245/45R16 (rear). You can also use this formula to calculate the tire clearance: Tire clearance = Fender clearance – Wheel offset – Spacer thickness – Tire width / 2. For example, if you have a 20 mm fender clearance, a 10 mm wheel offset, a 20 mm spacer and a 245 mm tire width, the tire clearance is: Tire clearance = 20 – 10 – 20 – 245 / 2 = -117.5 mm. This means that the tire will rub against the fender and you need to use a smaller tire or a thinner spacer.

How to Fix Common Problems with Porsche 928 Wheel Spacers?

Which Porsche 928 wheel spacers can diminish these issues?

You ought to opt for quality and compatible spacers and install them correctly, then you can minimize all these problems and boost the aesthetic and handling. There are a plethora of spacer brands you can select. But BONOSS is the reliable and special brand among them. In addition that spacers manufactured by BONOSS are as quality as other reputable brand spacers, they possess more unique functions which have been patented globally.

High-quality material and processing. BONOSS Porsche 928 wheel spacers are forged 7075-t6 aluminum alloy. This material is the first-rate aluminum alloy utilized in spacers, showing high-strength as steel while far lighter and not prone to rusting. All these spacers have been covered by black anodized coating. After anodic oxidation treatment, an oxide film of several microns to hundreds of microns can be formed on the surface of aluminum, which can improve the wear resistance, corrosion resistance and weather corrosion resistance of spacers.

Active cooling grooves. Most vehicles face the issues of thermal decay after a long and high speed driving journey. The brake response hence is delayed and affect your driving quality. In the surface of BONOSS Porsche 928 wheel spacers, five curved grooves are engraved in light of aerodynamics to create space that allows air to flow and dissipate heat generated by the brake. This design has been proven to contribute to heat dissipation and brake response improvement.

Easy to dismount. If you live in an area that sees snow or salt, spacers are prone to getting stuck due to mineral deposits and salt mixing with moisture. The dismounting grooves in the corner of BONOSS Porsche 928 wheel spacers save you from this trouble. You can utilize screwdriver to remove the spacers easily.