How important are spacers?

Vbp6US

Can someone explain why I should buy H&R, Ichiba, or any other name brand spacer when there are cheaper non-branded ones on ebay with the same physical properties (anodized, 6061 T6 Billet Aluminum, etc)?

I do not plan to track the car ever. I intend to get the type two which go over the stock studs.


Thanks

edub370

i have no idea. i have ichiba, and its not like they are gods gift to quality. stripped two of the bolts when i got close to 90 ft lbs. sure thats user error, but they are SOOOOOOOOO easy to strip because of how soft the metal is on the bolt on type.

but at the end of the day they do the job

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Trips

Here is a little 101 thread about spacers.

Wheel Spacers 101


You don't HAVE TO But most install them for simply making the wheels more flush

And to help in the wider stance to improve handling that will only be noticed if you actually push the car once in a while.

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kenchan

i stay away from no-brand ones as there is no way to tell what kind of materials they used (sure they say watever they want, but how pure is it?), how was it treated to get to the strength expected?

what tests were conducted to validate them to be at oem standards, etc... i rather just spend a little extra for higher quality. i run kics, h&r, eibach. ichiba's have been okay for me but their craftsmanship is kinda crap.

LakeShow

I'd go with H&R. I go with quality, you pay what you get for.

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Vbp6US

Really? So the Ichibas are kinda cheap too? I wonder if going with H&R is the way to go? Or is brand a good standard to measure against?


Thank you for the links Triple's. I have read that thread already and my question isn't so much about the use of spacers, rather, the quality differences if I go with a cheap no-name brand ebay product versus Ichiba.

I think you're onto something. They may claim the same materials were used but that doesn't translate into quality.


H&R appear to be the most expensive. Any reason other than it's "German"?

Go Lakers btw.

sfearl1

i have Z1 spacers. they are decent quality for the price (broke 1 stud and stripped 1 lug so far).

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Scott

Th3 On3

Had z1 spacers they were great just not for my wheels

Dallaz

I think you meant, "you get what you pay for" lol which is definitely the truth. Like the others said many off brands will not do the same testing that the big guys do, and they can say more or less whatever they want about their product not having to worry about jeopardizing a huge organization.

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wheee!

I don't take chances with wheel components.... a little bit of machining error or misbalance can cause all kinds of driving issues. I bought H&R from Josh@Stillen and was very happy. 2+ years on the car and NO issues at all.

BTW, get the DRS kind if you can.... peace of mind.

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edub370

well that spacers themselves are very well machined parts. never had any vibration or other issues. but the bolts they use just seems to be very soft. that or im the worst torquer down of spacer bolts ever

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gofaster87

The bolts sound like cheap crap. Even if you had over torqued them they should be able to handle an extra 40-60 ft/lbs no problem. If they stripped or broke with only 10lbs extra there's a real problem.

kenchan

yes, this is wat i found with the ichiba's as well (besides the craftsmanship itself on the spacer). not only is the nut soft, the nut size itself is pretty sloppy to the socket and there is play between the nut and socket. that results to more scratches on the nut.

you can source just the nuts, but you shouldn't have to...