Wheel Spacers - experience?

[JasonInDLH]

I have been looking at wheel spacers and there is a ton of info out there and much of it contradicts the rest. I watched a pretty good video on it but at the end I felt like it was more of a sales pitch and it wasn't jeep related.

I wanted to hear from jeep owners about their experience with wheel spacers.

Such as:
What material is best
With threaded bolts or not
limitations on space (does this impact anything?)
is there anything that needs to change other than the spacer (and assuming the larger tire size)

Definitely want Hub-centric. Been running 2” spacers on my Yukon for a few years now with no issue. I think it’s a great way to get an aggressive look without breaking the wallet. Heck…I even put them on my old ‘09 Camry and ‘17 Renegade. ?

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[gato]

I ran spacers for 4 years on my JKUR - not a problem and they never moved. Just take your time and install them correctly - for example clear with a brush any rust on the hub so they sit flush, use blue locktite or equivalent, torque them correctly and slowly in a star pattern.

Having said that, for my JLUR, given that I could sell my OEM wheels and tires for $1,500, I decided to get a wheel with exactly the backspace and width that I wanted. It makes life slightly simpler and give you more options in the future.

P.S. It also makes it a lot easier when it comes time to change your brake rotors down the road. And it is one more thing to give dealers an excuse to blame something for problem while under warranty.

 

[Gregj]

I think the torque spec is based on the wheel stud size and grade, factory torque spec is 130 lb/ft. The spacer is essentially the same as a wheel so the spec is 130 lb/ft. The JK used smaller wheel studs and had a lower torque spec so many people are stuck on 110 lb/ft spec.

I ran spydertrax spacers on my JL for a couple years with zero issues, I never found a loose lug nut.
Gregj

 

[gato]

I think the torque spec is based on the wheel stud size and grade, factory torque spec is 130 lb/ft. The spacer is essentially the same as a wheel so the spec is 130 lb/ft. The JK used smaller wheel studs and had a lower torque spec so many people are stuck on 110 lb/ft spec.

I ran spydertrax spacers on my JL for a couple years with zero issues, I never found a loose lug nut.
Gregj

Exactly correct. You torque it to the same specs as the OEM recommended lug nuts. And please don't let people put red threadlocker on them. I had a stupid off road shop that I took my Jeep to install skids on who said "we noticed you didn't have red locktite on your spacers so we add them for you!!!". When it came time to remove them I spent 4 freaking hours heating studs and standing on top of a 2 foot breaker bar.

 

[Odyssey USA]

Exactly correct. You torque it to the same specs as the OEM recommended lug nuts. And please don't let people put red threadlocker on them. I had a stupid off road shop that I took my Jeep to install skids on who said "we noticed you didn't have red locktite on your spacers so we add them for you!!!". When it came time to remove them I spent 4 freaking hours heating studs and standing on top of a 2 foot breaker bar.

I’ve never run spacers before but I knew certain red threadlockers might be a Royal PITA to deal with. I got excited when I found the orange Permatex threadlocker.

 

[gato]

I’ve never run spacers before but I knew certain red threadlockers might be a Royal PITA to deal with. I got excited when I found the orange Permatex threadlocker.

I have to look into that. I hate red threadlocker. Have you tried to remove a bolt with this orange one? Was it much tougher than blue?

 

[Odyssey USA]

I have to look into that. I hate red threadlocker. Have you tried to remove a bolt with this orange one? Was it much tougher than blue?

Not yet. Trusting the manufacturer claims for the moment. I guess it wouldn’t be difficult to test it with another fastener.

 

[gato]

Not yet. Trusting the manufacturer claims for the moment. I guess it wouldn’t be difficult to test it with another fastener.

Thanks, would you use for things like brake caliper/brackets?

 

[Odyssey USA]

Thanks, would you use for things like brake caliper/brackets?

I guess you could if the service manual called for the equivalent. I’d check the tech data sheet first for operating temp it can be used for to be safe.

 

[Zandcwhite]

I guess you could if the service manual called for the equivalent. I’d check the tech data sheet first for operating temp it can be used for to be safe.

The caliper mounting bolts are installed with blue thread locker from the factory. I‘m sure the orange would work, but why change from blue?

 

[Odyssey USA]

The caliper mounting bolts are installed with blue thread locker from the factory. I‘m sure the orange would work, but why change from blue?

You’d use the equivalent. In that case, you wouldn’t.

 

[gato]

The caliper mounting bolts are installed with blue thread locker from the factory. I‘m sure the orange would work, but why change from blue?

Saw 3 Jeeps have the caliper bolts back out and destroy a wheel - nasty thing on the trail or road. I personally never had a problem, but then I'm judicious in blue threadlocker application and proper torquing and frequent checks.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Saw 3 Jeeps have the caliper bolts back out and destroy a wheel - nasty thing on the trail or road. I personally never had a problem, but then I'm judicious in blue threadlocker application and proper torquing and frequent checks.

Had one loosen up on the wj, there was an audible clicking and I caught it before there was any damage. Torque them down more judiciously now.

 

[andrew4fins]

I have had Synergy spacers on my 2021 JLUR since day 5 basically. Wanted a more aggressive stance till I could afford the wheel/tire combo I want (which is coming next week woo hoo). Do as everyone says. Tourque to specs, blue loctite, and recheck after like 100 miles. Like other posters I also suggest anti seize on back when installing. Use like 100lbs tq on wrench to recheck. Don’t want to pop your loctite. Mine have been perfect. Love the look.

 

[Odyssey USA]

I did an extra step being a former machinist/builder.

I initially installed the spacers properly but completely removed everything after 500 miles, including the spacers, then added the orange thread locker to the factory lugs and reinstalled it all. This let the lugs stretch and have some cycles to “set”. I also marked each spacer to factory lug relationship to reinstall it exactly the way I removed it to ensure the mating surface interaction was the same. That’s about the best you can do.

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