Need some feedback on wheel spacers

[surfindave]

Guys
I need to get some wheel spacer to stop me tyres from hitting my chassis and body.
Im in aus and dont get much info as not a lot run them.
Can anybody tell me if they are ok to drive say 100miles on road to get too the track and back.
This is only a trail rig and just gets driven to the tracks .
Im just looking for the 1" spacers so the cops wont see them hangin out too far ive got 16" rims witha backsapce of 4.25 realy wanted 3.75 but they dont sell them here in aus .
The only other way i can get around it is to cut the centre and re weld it back an inch but sont realy wanna do that if the spacers are good enough.
Plus cost to do rims proper are $$$$$ compared to spacers,
Thanks Again
Dave

[Prismo]

I have driven mine with spacers on it for thousands of miles with no problems. You MUST follow the instructions when tightening the nuts, I have heard of them coming loose if improperly tightened. I retorque mine whenever I have the tires off. After the 1st retorque I have not noticed a bit of loosening whatsoever.

[MiniSimp]

^what he said^

Make sure you torque them before every offroad run, or every 500 miles.

[CTENG in KS]

Maybe can you Loctite them too?

[surfindave]

Thanks Guys.
Would the 1" spacer be okay with 38" tyres?
As in they wont rip the wheel studs out??.
What is the correct torque for the nuts and as Cteng said can you use loctite like the blue or red threadlock? only prob i could see is them being hard to get off if ya need too??
Does anyone know how much a normal wheel stud costs as i may replace them when i put spacers on.
Thanks Again Dave

[CTENG in KS]

Better hard to get off than passing you on the highway.   

[KYOTA]

Thanks Guys.
Would the 1" spacer be okay with 38" tyres?
As in they wont rip the wheel studs out??.
What is the correct torque for the nuts and as Cteng said can you use loctite like the blue or red threadlock? only prob i could see is them being hard to get off if ya need too??
Does anyone know how much a normal wheel stud costs as i may replace them when i put spacers on.
Thanks Again Dave

I run Marlin's 1" spacers all the way around with 38" SX's on my 83, and like Prismo said, maintenance is crucial and spacers will treat you well. oh and nay on the loctite here, every time I check torque on mine I've NEVER had one that had loosened up.

[surfindave]

Hey Guys
Are the 1" spacers you use alli?
And are your rims steel?
Been reading some stuff bout alli 1s coming loose with steel rims??
with the 1' spacer surely the nuts wouldnt be able to undo totaly with the wheel attatched?
Thanks Again

[KYOTA]

alum spacers and steel wheels, never had a problem

[surfindave]

Thanks looks like ill just get the alli 1s and be done. lot cheaper than rims .
Cheers guys

[BigMike]

I recommend against loctite.

Instead, use Anti Seize. Yes, Anti Seize. With Anti Seize, not only will it prevent rust, but you will get a much more accurate torque rating on each nut, and actually will get the nut to torque down farther since you have decreased the amount of friction.

Then, once its on, the Anti Seize works as a grease agent to keep the nut in place and to prevent it from "walking" loose.

And when you need to remove your tire or wheel spacer, since there is anti seize there, it will break free just like a normal torqued nut, and then you will be able to unscrew it with your fingers which saves time (if you dont have air).

Marlin has been using Anti Seize on his wheels and wheel spacers for as long as I can remember, and hence, so have I, on both my Truck and my MR2. And lord knows I put the wheels on my MR2 through some tremendous G-forces without any problems.

BigMike

[surfindave]

Thanks Bigmike
I will do as you say and use anti seize.
Do you torque them upto 100lbs?
Thanks
Dave

[BigMike]

I torque the drumb brakes to about that, but for the front disk brakes, you'll want to torque the wheel spacers like you would a mag (aluminum) wheel, to about 90 ft.lbs. If you over torque a wheel or wheelspacer onto a disk rotor, then I have heard that the rotor can warp, but I have never seen it happen myself.

BTW, how have ya been Dave? Hope all of the sugeries went well! Get out and play with your trucks!!

[surfindave]

My surgery was postponed till the swelling has calmed down  .
Took the runner wheelin and got it airbourne and landed on the right side creating some more pain to the truk and me that was gunna be the last wheel b4 the opp but now shes fixed and im workin on my SWB nissan patrol thats what the wheel spacers are going to be for same size pcd etc as toyota but 16" rims and they have a 4.25 backspace the best i could get.
The nissan aint no toyota but its fun hammering it.
Got some 36 iroks for the runner they are awsome on the rocks here fit perfect hook up nice esp with the Duals and Auto combo 8) .
Shud be in hospital in about 6-8 weeks unless i flip it on its lid then the opp may not need doin .
Hope you had a great christmas.
Dave

[BigMike]

ahhh Well I hope everything goes smoothly!

Bashing up Nissans sure are fun! I would love to drive my friends Pathfinder and beat the crap outta it hahahaha

[jimbo74]

i have seen rotors warp from overtightening... i used to work as a mechanic @ a shop

[BigMike]

Thanks Jim, I know it can happen but I have not witnessed it. I never over torque my wheel nuts..

[CTENG in KS]

...lord knows I put the wheels on my MR2 through some tremendous G-forces without any problems.

BigMike

BigMike thinks he hardcore.    

[kneedownnate]

I torque my lugs to 110lbs on my aluminum wheels, and haven't warped a rotor yet.  They have steel inserts in them too.

[dieselsmoke]

I agree with the never seize, I put it on everything, hell I would put it on my d--k if I thought it was gonna get stuck,

as for the torque thing it's not really how much as how even if you use a 4 way lug wrench you can cause yourself some problems

I recommend using a torque wrench, also if your going to torque them over 100 ft. lbs. then take them to say 50 or 75 first then to final torque, do it in steps

as for the drum brakes I have never had a problem with them, I have seen the ford 10.25 full floaters mount up slightly off center, to correct this run 2 lugs up on the drum snug then apply the parking brake remove the lugs and install the wheel, the brakes will center the drum

checking your lug nuts is more important with aluminum wheels, however most quality aluminum wheels have steel inserts which eliminates the problem

stud inspection is also very important if you can't thread the nut all the way with your fingers then more than likely your studs have stretched

the moral of the story it cost less to do it right than to do it over

[BigMike]

Yup, always do it in a star pattern, something like this (but with 6 lugs of course):

I torque my lugs to 110lbs on my aluminum wheels, and haven't warped a rotor yet.

Wow, 110 and you have never had a problem, that seems a bit high



BigMike