Wheel spacer - good or bad

[Snuggles]

I have a slightly different opinion on this. IMO adding a wheel spacer does the same thing to the "dynamics" of your suspension as changing the wheel offset. A lot of people wouldn't think twice about a wider offset, but look down on spacers when they are mechanically doing the exact same thing to your wheel movement.

As far as quality and failures - I think thicker spacers like BORA can be better and safer than thin spacers.

Thin spacers often, but not always, use the same studs so you have fewer threads engaged and increased stress on those studs. It's a recipe for disaster.
This is a picture of a Rough Country 1/4" spacer:


Quality spacers will actually bolt to the hub and then have NEW studs to attach the wheel. Like this:


This mounting ensures you don't have cantilevered forces on your studs, which is absolute insanity if you ever hit a bump. The kinetic forces on a wheel when hitting a pothole are insane, so yes, those are stupid.

That said, BORA does appear to make a hub centric spacer in 1/2": https://www.customwheeloffset.com/s...minum-05in-bora-spacer?dropdown1=1&engine=Gas

That doesn't change my opinion on how they mount though. There is likely a reason companies like Stage 3 Motorsports don't sell the thinner ones, but "aethetics" companies like Custom Offsets do. They cater to different markets and there are different expectations for performance.

The factory wheel offset is 34mm, which is 1.3". You could realistically add a 1" spacer and still be inside the fender (and improved aesthetics IMO). 1" appears to be the smallest you can get with "bolt on" studs. https://www.stage3motorsports.com/b...150-bora-6x135mm-1-00-wheel-spacers-four.html

 

[New recaros]

Just buy +20 offset wheels. Much safer than have an additional joint on each wheel which must be installed perfectly clean. Try that on the trail, any sand or matter between the spacer and trouble is brewing.

 

[Gen1TillDeath]

Yeah I also agree with you’re still adding leverage to the end of the hub with a bigger offset wheel, the same as a spacer. But being hubcentric and correctly mounted will play a huge part

 

[Ellison3]

Yeah this. BORA wheel spacers or nothing

I second the Bora recommendation!!! Did my research before purchasing. Also, called to ask some specific questions. They won me over, so I bought a set. Definitely not your run of the auto part store spacers. Quality materials, great installation instructions/ videos, and tech support.

Attached are pics of my install. The rear driver side view is the “before” pic. The rear passenger side is the “after” pic. Sits much better; more aggressive. Hides the running board from the rear; hate when the running boards stick out further than the wheels/ tires.

One very important thing to remember is to re-torque the spacers after the first 500mi. Upon re-torque I did notice they actually did need to be checked. So, make sure to complete this last step. Something else I came across during research was the need to use loctite during installation. That was a concern for me. Also, the torque listed was lower than torque for the Expedition. So, I called to get clarification. I spoke with Thomas (if my memory serves me correctly) who told me they made an update; do not use loctite, and torque the spacer to the same spec as the Expedition. That’s it… been running them for 8 or 9 months now. Good looking… still.

So, to answer your question, “Wheel spacers good/ bad?”, it depends.

GOOD: if you get the right set, and follow
installation instructions.

BAD: if you get the wrong set, and if you
don’t follow instructions.

 

[sixshooter_45]

I'd look closer at the install to see if they followed Fox's recommendations.

 

[Oldfart]

I have a slightly different opinion on this. IMO adding a wheel spacer does the same thing to the "dynamics" of your suspension as changing the wheel offset. A lot of people wouldn't think twice about a wider offset, but look down on spacers when they are mechanically doing the exact same thing to your wheel movement.

Actually, a lot of people, myself included, are not fans of changing the wheel offset either. For the exact same reason. It's not by accident that I powder coated my stock wheels, instead of buying a wheel with a big poke. At least a different wheel with different offset is still structurally sound. A spacer gives you a double whammy.

 

[Ellison3]

I can tell you , I’ve personally seen at least 3 spacers fail 2 on trail and 1 on street which caused an accident. 75-100 lbs per corner with increased sheer force and fewer threads on the lug is not a bet i would personally be willing to make.

That’s what makes Bora’s design so innovative. You lose no thread protrusion… because a new set of unobstructed lugs are provided. The “hub centric” spacers bolts up to the hub via supplied lug-nuts, then the wheels bolt up to lugs on the spacers.

 

[ChrisMcP05]

I'd look closer at the install to see if they followed Fox's recommendations.

They definitely did not. Took it to a second shop immediately after and they fixed the issue / did not require a spacer to avoid contact.

 

[sixshooter_45]

They definitely did not. Took it to a second shop immediately after and they fixed the issue / did not require a spacer to avoid contact.

Great news, I figured they didn't because I've seen them installed many times without requiring a spacers.

They probably located them improperly.

 

[ChrisMcP05]

Great news, I figured they didn't because I've seen them installed many times without requiring a spacers.

They probably located them improperly.

They did. I called fox and the service manager there was able to tell me how it had to be set in order to push the reservoirs further in front of the body mount which when situated normally will block the reservoir from moving further forward. The guys at the first shop did not want to believe me, so the second shop performed the work and it *shockingly* worked just like the service manager mentioned. Who would have thought a Fox representative would know how to fix an issue that local shop guys didn’t believe was right….