Wheel spacers

warrior · Post by **warrior** » Thu May 08, 2014 2:33 pm

I fitted two 25mm wheel spacers just to see what they looked like and have run into a problem,

The rears fit fine but the fronts don't. The oem wheel studs are about 2-3mm to long and wont sit inside the spacer. I got these and thought, oh well if they dont fit I,m not to worried.

The problem is they make the car look sooooo dam good!

What are my options with the studs? Can I fit slightly shorter ones? Can I trim the oem ones down?

Not to sure guys. Help?

warrior · Post by **warrior** » Thu May 08, 2014 3:21 pm

I contacted a place that makes spacers and they said to trim the 2-3mm off the OEM bolt, they said they do it all the time.

Even said a hacksaw will do the job no problems.

I have shortened bolts before but was just a bit worried about doing the wheel studs.

They have plenty of length to do this as was running 5mm spacers before with no problems.

Angreal · Post by **Angreal** » Thu May 08, 2014 3:23 pm

I'd just hack them down. I'm assuming that the spacer is bolting up completely and there is spare thread after you've tightened them up. If there wasn't enough thread then I'd be worried.

*edit* I'm also probably the person who shouldn't give advice on anything car related

MrGrey · Post by **MrGrey** » Thu May 08, 2014 3:25 pm

I am sure you would be able to get away with shaving 2-3mm off without causing any danger what so ever. From memory using standard wheel nuts there was 3-5mm (or more) protruding after the nut had been tightened on anyhow.

On second thoughts... no it would be far far to dangerous.... you should forget the whole idea and instead send the dangerous wheel spacers up here to me for safekeeping...

yessssssss .... safe keeping

-=edit=-

Even said a hacksaw will do the job no problems.

I would personally prefer the idea of a 1mm thick steel cutting blade on a grinder and then very mildly tapering the edges to retain thread integrity.... even though it would never get seen, I always prefer the idea of doing it to a professional standard

warrior · Post by **warrior** » Thu May 08, 2014 3:39 pm

Yeah I would not do it if I didn't think it would be safe. I have a friend with every tool ever made so will talk to him about the best way to do it but to be honest I don't see it being a big issue.

And as I said HELL the car looks good with them on!!!

warrior · Post by **warrior** » Thu May 08, 2014 3:39 pm

And yes there is heaps of thread left after I trim them

MrGrey · Post by **MrGrey** » Thu May 08, 2014 3:50 pm

easiest method (to me) would be:

- remove the wheel
- screw on a normal wheel nut all the way (past the cutting point but do not tighten it)
- cut the tip off with a 9" angle grinder using a 1mm thick cutting disk
- swap the cutting disk for a grinding disk and lightly taper the edge of the cut where the thread is (you only need to remove 5/8th's of f### all)
- give it a tickle with a wire brush to remove burrs
- unwind the oem nut to remove any final burrs and restore the thread.

piece of cake... the reason I use the nut on the thread is that for a simple job like this it ends up being quicker and easier than pissing around with a tap and die set.

warrior · Post by **warrior** » Thu May 08, 2014 4:20 pm

Mr grey I always said you were a smart man.

Just the way I was going to do it mate.

GRUVBB · Post by **GRUVBB** » Thu May 08, 2014 5:10 pm

Warrior.... I have a battery operated Makita grinder with all the required discs if you want to use. God size to get a parallel cut. Im passing your place on saturday as going to Papakura. Just holla if you want me to drop them off. No problems. I owe you a favour or two so to speak.

MrGrey · Post by **MrGrey** » Thu May 08, 2014 5:14 pm

GRUVBB · Post by **GRUVBB** » Thu May 08, 2014 5:22 pm

MrGrey wrote:

MX5.... Mouse Xterminated 5

siren676 · Post by **siren676** » Thu May 08, 2014 6:42 pm

Have you tried fitting a wheel already? Some wheels have small cutouts where a wheel stud can sit

warrior · Post by **warrior** » Thu May 08, 2014 7:23 pm

Yeah no cut outs. I,m going to trim the studs...it looks like only the front need doing and it will only be a few mm.

Should be easy

BRM · Post by **BRM** » Thu May 08, 2014 7:35 pm

Cut them off with what ever,
But file the end to a small taper.

Hard to explain, but you don't need to do much.

Other then that,
You shouldn't have any problem.

warrior · Post by **warrior** » Thu May 08, 2014 7:40 pm

Thanks guys.....

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Thu May 08, 2014 9:12 pm

use a hacksaw, not a grinder. the grinder will heat the stud and weaken it.

BRM · Post by **BRM** » Thu May 08, 2014 10:39 pm

SLYDIT wrote:use a hacksaw, not a grinder. the grinder will heat the stud and weaken it.

This.

Wheel spacers

Wheel spacers

Who is online