by "beautimouse" (beautimouse)
Published 12/14/2017 at 12:24
by "beautimouse" (beautimouse)
Published 12/14/2017 at 12:24
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Bought some used Austins for my 17 Golf Woflsburg, and I believe the big gift for me this year will be tires so I can finally put them on the car.
The wheels came with spacers, which are a new thing to me. My understanding is that the spacers (15mm front and 20mm rear, metal spacers) push wheel and tire out to line up with the body so you get, depending on what you read, a nice unbroken look to the car, or a more aerodynamic line to the car, or both. Also used if you go with wider tires to allow clearance in the wheel well and to avoid rubbing while turning, or adding larger calipers. The necessary longer bolts were included as well.
I’ve read you want to add a thin layer of anti-sieze to the hub and wheel side of a spacer, which is fine, since I usually put some on the studs, or in the case of this car, the bolts.
That part is going to be different for me, I’ve never had a vehicle that did not use studs. I’ll have to remind myself of that. Take out that last bolt and you better have something (I was thinking of buying a 5 or 6 inch correctly threaded bolt) in one of the holes or watch those toes. I have seen on the ECS Tuning and USP Motorsports sites a “Wheel Hanger” tool, but a long bolt is a short drive away and instant gratification.
That about covers my current knowledge of spacers. Those of you with any knowledge to pass on, I would greatly appreciate it.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
12/14/2017 at 15:31, STARS: 0
If you ask 10 people, 5 will tell you spacers are fine and the other five will tell you to steer clear. I have run them on a couple vehicles with no I’ll effects, but I won’t run them if I can help it in any way. It can put additional stresses on parts, but those spacers aren’t that extreme.
I haven’t used anti sieze on mine and was fine, especially because the wheels were off at least a few times each year. I also don’t ever use anti sieze on lugs as I was told you don’t want them to work themselves loose. But then I also have a friend that always puts anti sieze on his lugs and has no ill effects. My only concern would be that the anti sieze would allow the bolt or nut to be over torqued due to the lubricating properties of the anti sieze. But that may not be an issue.
If you can avoid using the spacers, I would, but if it gives you the right aesthetics, then go for it.
Good luck.
"beautimouse" (beautimouse)
12/15/2017 at 09:09, STARS: 1
Appreciate the reply. I think I’ll just leave them in the garage when I swap the wheels out.
I’ll hold on to them though, because larger calipers and rotors are on my list.