Advice on spacers...?
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New User
Joined: Feb 2010
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Advice on spacers...?
I want to install spacers so that I can run 38" tires and not rub the front leaf springs when I turn the wheel. My question is do spacers create more stress on the ball joints? If so, do you have recommendations on how to deal with that stress (i.e better ball joints VS. don't use spacers VS. quit over thinking things and just install the spacer)?
Oh, I currently have 35" tires and I rub the front leaf springs when I turn to the wheel to around 75-80% of its radius.
Thanks.
Pat
Oh, I currently have 35" tires and I rub the front leaf springs when I turn to the wheel to around 75-80% of its radius.
Thanks.
Pat
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Peterborough, Ontario
Simple physics will tell us that any additional offset, whether from spacers or offset wheels will create extra stress on other areas such as ball joints. It's somewhat the price to pay if you want to play, in a sense.
Personally I would prefer to see a rim with a greater offset than a spacer used, but that's just my own opinion, as that would put less stress on the wheel studs and minimize the chance of them cracking/breaking. On the other hand, F250 is running spacers and dually rims on the front of his truck, and so far no issues there.
Personally I would prefer to see a rim with a greater offset than a spacer used, but that's just my own opinion, as that would put less stress on the wheel studs and minimize the chance of them cracking/breaking. On the other hand, F250 is running spacers and dually rims on the front of his truck, and so far no issues there.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Kodiak, Alaska
I recently replaced my Dana 50 TTB with a Dana 60 and now my front wheels stick out more than my rear wheels I would like to keep the stock steel wheels on it but I do a lot of towing of heavy horse trailers is it safe to run a spacer or do i have to get wheels with different offsets to make the tires stick out evenly?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
I've never seen a Ford with the front wheels sticking out equal to the back ones.
4x4 or 2wd, the front wheels always stick out more than the back. I'd say to live with it.
4x4 or 2wd, the front wheels always stick out more than the back. I'd say to live with it.
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Elder User
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From: Kodiak, Alaska
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New User
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NEWB here... I used the search function to find some threads regarding Spacers.... Maybe you can help me with my question...
Just bought an '09 F-150 2wd XL Base Model. Cheap. I know..
I am trying to juice it up a little and found some rims from a guy who claimed they were off a Late model F-150 and had the 6 lug pattern same as mine. However, I mounted a tire on the front first and as soon as I tightened the lugs it was blatant that the Brake Caliper housing was locked tight against the rim. Fortunately I knew to check for this and I never even lowered it with that rim.
I tried to return them to the guy but he said he would get me some spacers. His first reaction was to GRIND the inside of the rim and I was like... No Effin Way. Is a spacer going to cause any problems you guys listed like Ball joint wear or snapped Lug bolts?? I am a daily driver who hauls minor crap now and then again and don't go off road with it per se'.....
Thanks for any help.
Grayson-
Just bought an '09 F-150 2wd XL Base Model. Cheap. I know..
I am trying to juice it up a little and found some rims from a guy who claimed they were off a Late model F-150 and had the 6 lug pattern same as mine. However, I mounted a tire on the front first and as soon as I tightened the lugs it was blatant that the Brake Caliper housing was locked tight against the rim. Fortunately I knew to check for this and I never even lowered it with that rim.
I tried to return them to the guy but he said he would get me some spacers. His first reaction was to GRIND the inside of the rim and I was like... No Effin Way. Is a spacer going to cause any problems you guys listed like Ball joint wear or snapped Lug bolts?? I am a daily driver who hauls minor crap now and then again and don't go off road with it per se'.....
Thanks for any help.
Grayson-
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 751
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From: Kodiak, Alaska
I wouldn't think spacers would not be a problem in your case, a 1/2 ton rig with light loads. The only reason we are hesitant is because we are running 3/4 ton- 1 ton rigs with big diesel engines and sometimes very heavy trailers, much more weight/stress. Try them, run it 10 miles and check everything, lugs, balljoints look good, run it 100 miles check if it looks good I would say leave them no worries keep your ball joints full of grease cheep insurance.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 521
Likes: 6
From: Cincinnati, OH
Wheel offset is a better way than spacers. Spacers do put additional load on the wheels studs. Offset, no matter how it is made by wheels or spacers, have the same effect on ball joints and tire scrub.
For Grayson, do not grind your wheels. Minor grinding on the caplier is OK, many times it has a bit of flash or ridge that is all the problem was caused by and can be cleaned up. Grinding a lot is not good. If you really need more clearance, either get larger diam wheels (17 inch vs 16 inch for example) as the best solution, or spacers can be used.
The best spacers have separate lugs and tighten directly onto the hub. The the spearate studs mount your wheels. If the spacer is small enough, such as 1/4-3/8 inch thickness you can just use your orig truck hub studs. More than that and you need the spacers with separate studs.
For Grayson, do not grind your wheels. Minor grinding on the caplier is OK, many times it has a bit of flash or ridge that is all the problem was caused by and can be cleaned up. Grinding a lot is not good. If you really need more clearance, either get larger diam wheels (17 inch vs 16 inch for example) as the best solution, or spacers can be used.
The best spacers have separate lugs and tighten directly onto the hub. The the spearate studs mount your wheels. If the spacer is small enough, such as 1/4-3/8 inch thickness you can just use your orig truck hub studs. More than that and you need the spacers with separate studs.
New User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 6
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Wheel offset is a better way than spacers. Spacers do put additional load on the wheels studs. Offset, no matter how it is made by wheels or spacers, have the same effect on ball joints and tire scrub.
For Grayson, do not grind your wheels. Minor grinding on the caplier is OK, many times it has a bit of flash or ridge that is all the problem was caused by and can be cleaned up. Grinding a lot is not good. If you really need more clearance, either get larger diam wheels (17 inch vs 16 inch for example) as the best solution, or spacers can be used.
The best spacers have separate lugs and tighten directly onto the hub. The the spearate studs mount your wheels. If the spacer is small enough, such as 1/4-3/8 inch thickness you can just use your orig truck hub studs. More than that and you need the spacers with separate studs.
For Grayson, do not grind your wheels. Minor grinding on the caplier is OK, many times it has a bit of flash or ridge that is all the problem was caused by and can be cleaned up. Grinding a lot is not good. If you really need more clearance, either get larger diam wheels (17 inch vs 16 inch for example) as the best solution, or spacers can be used.
The best spacers have separate lugs and tighten directly onto the hub. The the spearate studs mount your wheels. If the spacer is small enough, such as 1/4-3/8 inch thickness you can just use your orig truck hub studs. More than that and you need the spacers with separate studs.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,615
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From: Hagerstown, Md
Grayson:
1st question... are the rims you bought smaller diameter than the stock? If so a rule of thumb (and manufacturing companies) is to not get smaller rims than what came on the truck stock
2nd do the rims contact the caliper on the top or the outside? If the top then you need larger rims. If they contact on the sides just a small 1/4-3/8 spacer will be fine for ya!
1st question... are the rims you bought smaller diameter than the stock? If so a rule of thumb (and manufacturing companies) is to not get smaller rims than what came on the truck stock
2nd do the rims contact the caliper on the top or the outside? If the top then you need larger rims. If they contact on the sides just a small 1/4-3/8 spacer will be fine for ya!
New User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 6
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Grayson:
1st question... are the rims you bought smaller diameter than the stock? If so a rule of thumb (and manufacturing companies) is to not get smaller rims than what came on the truck stock
2nd do the rims contact the caliper on the top or the outside? If the top then you need larger rims. If they contact on the sides just a small 1/4-3/8 spacer will be fine for ya!
1st question... are the rims you bought smaller diameter than the stock? If so a rule of thumb (and manufacturing companies) is to not get smaller rims than what came on the truck stock
2nd do the rims contact the caliper on the top or the outside? If the top then you need larger rims. If they contact on the sides just a small 1/4-3/8 spacer will be fine for ya!
Current Rims are Base Stock XL Aluminum 17" Rims... The Rims I am trying to make work are The Upgrade 18" rims that come with the Upgrade XLT.
Where do I get 1/4 to 3/8" Spacers from??? All I have found are the 1" size... Once again.. any help is greatly appreciated from this NOOB!!!!