Wheel spacer questions

[Hound Dog]

I’m aware of the negative effects of spacers on components and related to poke and I’m willing to deal with them. That’s one of the reasons I’m looking for spacers that are a little thinner than the 1.75” that most are.

I don't understand the logic in many people saying that spacers have a negative affect on components.

With spacers, you are shifting the center of the wheel/tire out further from the face of the hub causing a little extra stress.

With aftermarket wheels that have a different offset, you are shifting the center of the wheel/tire out further from the face of the hub causing a little extra stress.

How are these two different in any way?

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[Chocolate Thunder]

I don't understand the logic in many people saying that spacers have a negative affect on components.

With spacers, you are shifting the center of the wheel/tire out further from the face of the hub causing a little extra stress.

With aftermarket wheels that have a different offset, you are shifting the center of the wheel/tire out further from the face of the hub causing a little extra stress.

How are these two different in any way?

You’re right in that they both push the center of mass of the wheel/tire unit out from the differential which isn’t good. However, the extra component that’s added in the form of a wheel spacer introduces more parts and more potential points of failure. If the spacers not balanced properly or is slightly loose ayou’ve created an imbalance that wouldn’t otherwise be there. There are now 10 lug nuts vs only 5, half of which cannot be seen and can only be retorqued by taking off the wheel.

 

[Hound Dog]

Good point. I have never heard of an actual failure due to a wheelspacer. But it is a possibility and a point of failure as you point out.

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

Good point. I have never heard of an actual failure due to a wheelspacer. But it is a possibility and a point of failure as you point out.

I have. Not on a Jeep, but on cars. I’ve seen 3. One at the track when a guy misjudged and clipped a curb. Wheel was fine, spacer cracked and exploded in pieces.

I’ve seen issues with the spacer lugs being stuck and rounded off when trying to be removed. PITA to deal with that.

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