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Wheel offset and rubbing

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:01 am
by bripag
Okay I did my homework first and looked through the detailed posts on tire sizes, lifts, and wheel offset. I have the 'stock' 30 mm fender flares. I want to put some spacers in to bring my stock wheel/tire combo out 1" either side, to be slightly tucked in behind the fender flares. I figure the increase in track will help road handling. Will a 1" increase in offset present interference issues when the supension is at full articulation?

Re: Wheel offset and rubbing

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:48 am
by Green1
spacers in general are a very bad idea... if you search on here I'm sure you'll find the post about loosing a wheel due to them... but to sum it up briefly, spacers increase the forces working on the bolts down there, beyond what they are designed for, good way to damage things.

Re: Wheel offset and rubbing

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:12 am
by jessef
Do not use wheel spacers. Period.

If you want to go wider, pick up a set of 15x7 Pajero rims or 15x7/15x8 aftermarket rims depending on your tires. Also keep in mind the backspacing/offset.

Also note that when you put the wheel out like that with a spacer, you put a lot more load on bearings and balljoints = higher failure rate/replacement rate.

Re: Wheel offset and rubbing

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:17 am
by docsavage
Properly designed spacers that bolt to the existing log nut and then have their own lugs are an option. They don't have the same issues as just putting a drilled plate in. That said, it is better to get offset rims to accomplish the same effect. There may be some rubbing issues depending on the size of tire used. If you stick close to the stock size, there shouldn't be any rubbing, but if you go to a 31" tire, there is some trimming required. Torsion bar adjustments will help to alleviate rubbing probles on the front. The back doesn't really travel much due to the short driveshaft and no trimming is required.

Spacers like these work (tried similar ones)

http://www.rockcrawler.com/techreports/ ... /index.asp

James

Re: Wheel offset and rubbing

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 1:30 pm
by bripag
Thanks for all your feedback. The rockcrawler spacers look pretty skookum, but for a few hun more I could 'do it right' and get some aftermarket wheels.

thanks again!

Re: Wheel offset and rubbing

Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:21 pm
by patty
I had wheel spacers on last summer and two months later my wheel ripped off cause there wasnt enough pin for the bolts to grasp.

Re: Wheel offset and rubbing

Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:09 pm
by jessef
Patty I saw your lift at gondola village lot today. Looks nice. 8-)

Aluminum spacers = disaster

Properly machined steel spacers = acceptable + higher wear/stress on balljoint/bearings

Re: Wheel offset and rubbing

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 4:34 pm
by patty
yeah i saw you commin back from whistler the weekend i installed it but i was in my moms car. Ill throw a post of with pictures when i get the camera back.
thanks!