- Wheel Spacers

Archives of Posts to the NZ MX5 List back in 2001
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peter
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Posts: 125
Joined: Thu May 18, 2006 10:02 pm
Location: Auckland

- Wheel Spacers

Post by peter » Thu Aug 09, 2001 11:00 am

I saw a car in the street the other day with what seemed to be a very wide wheelbase - tyres protruding past the
bodywork like most of the 4WDs you see these days. It looked like a spacer had been inserted between the wheel and the
hub.
I'm just curious...
1/ what's the point? better handling?
2/ Is this legal? I don't think it is from the point of tyres protruding...
3/ Has anyone done this in the club? Comments please...

Peter
DRGN-1

P.S if you're upgrading your indicator lights, Repco now have 32w bulbs in stock for the new parkers.

zorruno
Black is the new black.
Black is the new black.
Posts: 601
Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:20 pm
Location: An Eastern Beach

- Wheel Spacers

Post by zorruno » Thu Aug 09, 2001 2:05 pm

A spacer may have been used, or they may have a wheel with an extremely low
or even negative offset. The 'deep dish' look wheels you sometimes see on
older cars often have a -ve offset, but it depends on where the wheel bolts
to in the first place as to what the resulting look will be. Search for
'offset' on our web site, there are a couple of links with more info
somewhere.

I use 5mm wheel spacers to give me an offset of 40 with 45 offset wheels.
Manufacturers specs are for a 45mm offset (on all M1 models I believe, and
poss all M2s) Here is the benefits/drawbacks:
disclaimer - all opinions are the writers & any discussions welcomed! ;)

Benefits
1) provides wider track for vehicle which should increase grip and stability
around corners. (Car will possibly be able to go faster around corners while
still maintaining grip)
3) can look better as the wheel sits closer to the outside guard & car has a
wider stance
4) can make it possible to use larger aftermarket brake kits on certain
wheels where previously the kit would not fit.
5) can make wheels with incorrect manufacturers offset meet the
manufacturers spec. (in reality however, offset in common aftermarket
wheels is often too low for an MX5 meaning a spacer would make the offset
even lower)
6) Can make some wider aftermarket wheels fit where previously couldn't due
to the tyre rubbing on the inside (I had this problem with my MX6)


Drawbacks
1) may need longer wheel bolts as wheel nut has less to grip due to
increased space
2) Manufacturers offset is no longer met - this puts more load on suspension
as lever arm action is increased. This will decrease your suspension
response providing less turn in etc on slower corners. (Car will possibly
be less agile) Suspension lifetime may be less.
3) there are regulations about how far wheels can protrude. Cars requiring
width outside the guard may need wheel flares or similar installed.
4) can increase tendancy for the wheel to rub on the guard. Expecially if
you have a low set car.
5) more unsprung weight!

cheers
H (now JR CAI'd - thanks for your help Fletcher!)
(z)

zorruno
Black is the new black.
Black is the new black.
Posts: 601
Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:20 pm
Location: An Eastern Beach

- Wheel Spacers

Post by zorruno » Thu Aug 09, 2001 2:05 pm

A spacer may have been used, or they may have a wheel with an extremely low
or even negative offset. The 'deep dish' look wheels you sometimes see on
older cars often have a -ve offset, but it depends on where the wheel bolts
to in the first place as to what the resulting look will be. Search for
'offset' on our web site, there are a couple of links with more info
somewhere.

I use 5mm wheel spacers to give me an offset of 40 with 45 offset wheels.
Manufacturers specs are for a 45mm offset (on all M1 models I believe, and
poss all M2s) Here is the benefits/drawbacks:
disclaimer - all opinions are the writers & any discussions welcomed! ;)

Benefits
1) provides wider track for vehicle which should increase grip and stability
around corners. (Car will possibly be able to go faster around corners while
still maintaining grip)
3) can look better as the wheel sits closer to the outside guard & car has a
wider stance
4) can make it possible to use larger aftermarket brake kits on certain
wheels where previously the kit would not fit.
5) can make wheels with incorrect manufacturers offset meet the
manufacturers spec. (in reality however, offset in common aftermarket
wheels is often too low for an MX5 meaning a spacer would make the offset
even lower)
6) Can make some wider aftermarket wheels fit where previously couldn't due
to the tyre rubbing on the inside (I had this problem with my MX6)


Drawbacks
1) may need longer wheel bolts as wheel nut has less to grip due to
increased space
2) Manufacturers offset is no longer met - this puts more load on suspension
as lever arm action is increased. This will decrease your suspension
response providing less turn in etc on slower corners. (Car will possibly
be less agile) Suspension lifetime may be less.
3) there are regulations about how far wheels can protrude. Cars requiring
width outside the guard may need wheel flares or similar installed.
4) can increase tendancy for the wheel to rub on the guard. Expecially if
you have a low set car.
5) more unsprung weight!

cheers
H (now JR CAI'd - thanks for your help Fletcher!)
(z)

peter
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Posts: 125
Joined: Thu May 18, 2006 10:02 pm
Location: Auckland

- Wheel Spacers

Post by peter » Thu Aug 09, 2001 2:38 pm

thanks zorruno... I might chase up some prices. ( Chrome ones of course!)

Peter

Sam Parker

- Wheel Spacers

Post by Sam Parker » Thu Aug 09, 2001 9:04 pm

For safety spacers should bear on the whole inner rim not just the area around the studs, in fact the best ones bolt to the hubs and have their own studs to attach the wheel to ensuring excessive loads are not put on the studs - don't know if you can get these for MX5's but are common for 4wd vehicles

Regards

Sam & Denise Parker
340 Beach Road
Mairangi Bay
Auckland
NEW ZEALAND

Ph/fax 64 9 478 4761
Mobile sam 021 909 140, Denise 025 774 917
email samparker@clear.net.nz

Sam Parker

- Wheel Spacers

Post by Sam Parker » Thu Aug 09, 2001 9:04 pm

For safety spacers should bear on the whole inner rim not just the area around the studs, in fact the best ones bolt to the hubs and have their own studs to attach the wheel to ensuring excessive loads are not put on the studs - don't know if you can get these for MX5's but are common for 4wd vehicles

Regards

Sam & Denise Parker
340 Beach Road
Mairangi Bay
Auckland
NEW ZEALAND

Ph/fax 64 9 478 4761
Mobile sam 021 909 140, Denise 025 774 917
email samparker@clear.net.nz

peter
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Posts: 125
Joined: Thu May 18, 2006 10:02 pm
Location: Auckland

- Wheel Spacers

Post by peter » Fri Aug 10, 2001 11:12 am

MX5 wheel spacers are available from Arrow Wheels in New Lynn at $200 plus GST each. These are the type that bolt onto
the hub, with their own bolts for the wheels.


Peter

P.S. extra charge for chrome-plating.

VIKING RACING
See my 5 and raise you.
See my 5 and raise you.
Posts: 68
Joined: Sun Nov 12, 2006 4:52 pm
Location: South Auckland

- Wheel Spacers

Post by VIKING RACING » Fri Aug 10, 2001 4:15 pm

With a price like that they must be GOLD PLATED
John

MX5 wheel spacers are available from Arrow Wheels in New Lynn at $200 plus
GST each. These
are the type that bolt onto
[...]
JOHN
Koni . Eibach , MazdaSpeed roll bar, Jackson Racing Chassi Braces, ENKEI blingwheels :), TURBO+go fast stripes

VIKING RACING
See my 5 and raise you.
See my 5 and raise you.
Posts: 68
Joined: Sun Nov 12, 2006 4:52 pm
Location: South Auckland

- Wheel Spacers

Post by VIKING RACING » Fri Aug 10, 2001 4:15 pm

With a price like that they must be GOLD PLATED
John

MX5 wheel spacers are available from Arrow Wheels in New Lynn at $200 plus
GST each. These
are the type that bolt onto
[...]
JOHN
Koni . Eibach , MazdaSpeed roll bar, Jackson Racing Chassi Braces, ENKEI blingwheels :), TURBO+go fast stripes

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