Everything you need to know about wheel spacers!

Despite rental cars, sharing offers and e-scooters being available everywhere, more and more private cars are being tuned and pimped up. Optimizing your own vehicle is a status symbol that is becoming increasingly popular, especially among the younger generation. And visually impressive and relatively simple is one wheel spacer. Here, however, the question arises as to whether it is just a visual aspect or actually positive influence on driving behavior Has? Both are possible! On the one hand, it immediately looks better and, in combination with an additional lowering, it can make the car appear more beefy. The wheels move out and fill out the wheel well better. On the other hand, the conversion actually Effects on driving style. The effects on driving behavior can be both positive as well as most negative .

How is the wheel spacer widened?

A wheel spacer is a subsequently carried out Extension of the track width. To do this, spacers are inserted or screwed onto the wheel hub (depending on the system and width). These discs are usually made of aluminum and are for fastening purposes perforated. They are attached in the middle of the rim and hub of the wheel, either on one of the axles or directly on both. the Offset the rim, short as ET denoted by the conversion less. In practice, wheel spacers of 6 mm to 100 mm per axle ET are achieved. For example, if the standard wheel has an offset of +40 mm and a spacer of 20 mm is added, the Wheel spacer 40mm and the ET is +20 mm after the conversion. Whether this is still allowed for the respective vehicle or not depends on the type.

A wheel spacer can also be achieved by mounting other rims that have a lower (negative) ET feature. However, it is not possible to block any ETs, because it can quickly lead to Expiry of the operating license come. Quite a few also like to use it both ways the wheel spacer. she the kombinier Spacers with new tires and wheels. Permitted here is what works and comes through the "TÜV". However, the conversion must not fall below the prescribed Minimum ET of the wheel/spacer combination. It is also important that the tires are not wider than the car itself and overhang the fender. They must always end with the fender edge.

What are the advantages of wheel spacers?

With a wheel spacer, the car is visually wider, which means that the rims are much more in the foreground and the whole vehicle makes a sportier impression. Sometimes 10 mm is enough to achieve the desired effect. You create a harmonious picture if you manage the wheel spacers in such a way that the tires are flush with the wheel housing, but naturally don't grind it. If you have the correct tools and have acquired the appropriate knowledge, wheel spacers are one of the easier and cheaper tuning measures for DIY tuning. Done properly, you end up with a stable car that corners better. With track plates, the vehicle is generally better on track and handling is improved.

Does the wheel spacer have any disadvantages?

Basically, an adequately performed wheel spacer looks great, but you must be aware that it does not only have an optical effect. The entire thing may change after tuning driving behavior of the car and wear and tear increases. The track plates ensure that a significantly higher force is transmitted to the chassis of the car due to the changed leverage. Suffer with the time that the Arm and all related parts. Wheel bearings, but also ball joints, tie rods and stabilizers usually have a noticeably shorter service life with wheel spacers. But not only the higher leverage plays a decisive role, the fact that there is a larger unsprung mass also plays a role. This can make the car harder to drive straight and ruts can even cause the vehicle to skid.

You should pay attention to this with track plates

Never turn spacers yourself! It is better to buy these from your trusted retailer or at least make sure when you buy them that you Minimum ET not fall below. We recommend you to buy from proven dealers like MR, Eibach & Co. You can also find what you are looking for online and inexpensive incl. Teilegutachten to buy. However, just like us, manufacturers always recommend that no matter where you buy your track plates installation by a specialist workshop. But if you do become active yourself, obtain the correct plates, bolts and nuts according to your vehicle type. Also pay attention to the bolt circle, the centering and any protruding studs.

The installation is carried out using the nuts included in the delivery, which are used for fastening to the cleaned Contact surface of the wheel hub can be used. The supplied wheel nuts or wheel bolts are intended as fastening material for the wheels or the wheel nuts of the standard or special wheels. The manufacturer of the spacers provides more information. Follow the assembly instructions and use spacers whenever possible not with steel rims. Once the wheel spacers have been widened, first take a careful and slow test drive and get used to the changed driving style. Remember that TÜV and DEKRA are still doing the conversion Decrease have to! Only if you have one ABE have, you can do without the demonstration at a test center.

Wheel spacers on vehicles - summary information about spacers and ET:

• Spacers are mounted on the wheel suspension and widen the track width.
• Wheel spacers are primarily used for optics.
• Under certain circumstances, the driving behavior and driving safety can be improved by tuning.
• A track widening does not have to be carried out on both axles. (only at the rear or only on the front axle is also possible)
• Both wheels of the respective axle must be equipped with track plates.
• Legally, a wheel spacer can only be used with ABE or / and parts certificate.
• In Germany, the tire must never extend beyond the wheel housing. Despite wheel spacers, the wheels must sit completely in the wheel housing!
• The track width can be changed on all multi-track vehicles. (also with quad etc.)
• A wheel spacer can be widened in two different ways
  – using spacers or changing the tyres/rims
• A wheel spacer usually does not require any major modifications to the body or chassis.
• Since the distance between the wheel flange and the wheel mount changes due to the spacers, longer wheel bolts are usually required.
• Spacers are punched at specific points to allow wheel bolts to pass through.
• There are different systems for wheel spacers. Which with and which without centering. (Spacers with centering are recommended)
• Depending on the version, spacers are installed directly on the wheel hub or on the suspension. 

Fine table for lane widening

Installation of wheel spacers - instructions

The following note is essential: For safety reasons, tuningblog recommends all repair, inspection and maintenance work exclusively to be carried out in a specialist workshop! Although our information is summarized to the best of our knowledge and belief, we cannot assume any liability for the content. All information is therefore "without guarantee".

• Jack up the vehicle so that the tires with the suspension are relieved
• Remove the tire on which the wheel spacer is to be installed.
• Clean the suspension with a wire brush.
• Depending on the system:
  – Mount wheel spacers on the vehicle (wheel spacers that are screwed to the suspension have their own threaded holes and usually do not require longer wheel bolts). Wheel bolts from the scope of delivery replace the standard ones. The latter hold the wheel spacers. The supplied the wheel.
  - Hole spacers without their own thread almost always require suitable wheel bolts (often included in the scope of delivery). Sometimes, however, the original screws are sufficient (they must reach at least 7-8 turns into the wheel hub).
• Perforated disc is placed on new wheel bolts.
• tire is attached.
• Screws are tightened. (Observe the torque, see the operating instructions for the tires or parts certificate or ABE)

Wheel spacers only with ABE?

• Spacers must be equipped with ABE or a parts certificate.
• Accessories for wheel spacers may not be subsequently processed.
• Parts certificate requires presentation to the TÜV or a corresponding testing organization.
  – Submit the successful test certificate from the responsible approval office
  – Have changes entered in the registration certificate part I (“vehicle registration document”).
  – Carrying a test certificate with you is not sufficient.
• The ABE does not always have to be included with the delivery, but the parts certificate is.
• Wheel spacers with ABE must also be entered!

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