What are wheel spacers? what do they do?
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Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 237
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From: Virginia, United States
2015 C300 4Matic
What are wheel spacers? what do they do?
What are wheel spacers? what do they do? Space out the wheel?
Are there are advantages and/or disadvantages to installing them?
Anybody has before after pics?
I'm just curious
Are there are advantages and/or disadvantages to installing them?
Anybody has before after pics?
I'm just curious
Banned
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 242
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2015 MB Sprinter RV
While most are fan of wheel spacers, I'm one of few that dont particularly like them. Been there done that.
Pros:
Your vehicle looks sportier (widens the axle, your tires fit right under the fender)
car drives even sportier (wider axle stability when driving fast)
helps you complete college because they cost close to nothing
Cons:
Puts stress on axle bolts, on my CLK Cabriolet, one actually broke
Frequent need to overtighten wheel lugs, every hundred miles or so
Your vehicle drives great, till you develop steering wobble, then you feel shi$ty that you ever put them on.
Before pic (factory wheels)
After pic: (spacers plus after market wheels)
Pros:
Your vehicle looks sportier (widens the axle, your tires fit right under the fender)
car drives even sportier (wider axle stability when driving fast)
helps you complete college because they cost close to nothing
Cons:
Puts stress on axle bolts, on my CLK Cabriolet, one actually broke
Frequent need to overtighten wheel lugs, every hundred miles or so
Your vehicle drives great, till you develop steering wobble, then you feel shi$ty that you ever put them on.
Before pic (factory wheels)
After pic: (spacers plus after market wheels)
Banned
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 242
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2015 MB Sprinter RV
If you aren't bothered by the upkeep, you can add them, good quality hub-centric ones cost about 40-50 bucks. I personally wouldn't, it would be a mistake. If you do add, you should for all 4 wheels.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 17
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From: Liverpool UK
C300 & 993 C4S & Z3m S54 Roady
It's not uncommon just to fit to one axle
I've used them on many cars to fine tune an offset, most OEM offsets can have up to 15mm spacers fitted no problem but you would needs of longer studs or eqivalent. Ps I have no experience with mercs, its a generic rule of thumb as most OEM wheels have plenty of tolerance and sit too far inside the wheel arch ;-)
I've used them on many cars to fine tune an offset, most OEM offsets can have up to 15mm spacers fitted no problem but you would needs of longer studs or eqivalent. Ps I have no experience with mercs, its a generic rule of thumb as most OEM wheels have plenty of tolerance and sit too far inside the wheel arch ;-)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,258
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From: Mississauga, ON CA
15 Mercedes C400, 12 Mercedes C250 coupe
wheel spacers can fine tune fitment and push out the wheels, not sure i agree that it puts stress on the axle, i run 3mm, to help clear a caliper clip.
it also "reduces offset" so if you have a 45 offset wheel and use a 5mm spacer, it becomes 40.
high-end cars like Porsche have spacers from factory, dont see how it puts "stress" on the axle especially when running 3 to 5mm. ALso if they are hub centric then there should be no "wobble"
it also "reduces offset" so if you have a 45 offset wheel and use a 5mm spacer, it becomes 40.
high-end cars like Porsche have spacers from factory, dont see how it puts "stress" on the axle especially when running 3 to 5mm. ALso if they are hub centric then there should be no "wobble"
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 17
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From: Liverpool UK
C300 & 993 C4S & Z3m S54 Roady
Bmw also used to officially sell AC Schnitzer wheels with up to 20mm spacers with longer bolts, better warn them about the extra stress on the axle 
Personally I would not run anything above 30mm spacers though, if you need them you have bought the wrong wheels IMHO
Personally I would not run anything above 30mm spacers though, if you need them you have bought the wrong wheels IMHO
