Quote:
Originally Posted by mikes2nd
this is if you arent using hubcentric spacers... yes that stupid...
Or if your using old ass bearings from a 1956 ford on a spindle...
A spacer is nothing more than additional offset(actually decreasing our stock offset). Rims all come with different "spacers"...
3s's need alot of offset/spline size to clear the brakes... thusly we dont have huge amount of cars with huge deep dish rims.
Wheel Offsets - Discount Tire Co.
My 3 piece forged rims have a built in "spacer" that lets me adjust the offset on the rim simply by putting a different size in... is it a spacer? yep... but its the rim.
Here's a good read...
Suspension Tuning For A Track Using Wheel Adjustments - Tech File - Stock Car Racing Magazine
Wow actual racers suggesting using spacers? 
Here's a pimp Willwood 2 inch spacer (its actually a "adapter") but hey...
Wide is good
https://www.rsracing.com/tech-wheel.html#backspace
hmm i wonder what spacers supercar is running on his race car? I doubt those wheels stick out like that normally... |
As I said, that racers do it doesn't necessarily make it a good idea.
You'll notice in the article you quoted that the author advises against any spacer above 6mm (11/42" which is just over 6mm) for the very reason discussed in the thread I linked to: A spacer increases angular force on wheelstuds. Do some racers decide that this is a worthwhile risk? Sure. But there's simply no reason to do it when we can buy wheels that fit correctly without spacers.
Any racer who is successful enough that he needs to adjust his car's track width for individual tracks also has the sponsorship and budget to own 2 or 3 sets of track wheels.
A person like the OP (who, as far as I can tell, does not intend to race) will probably be fine using a spacer--even a thick and shittily-designed one.
None of the amateur racers, club racers, ice racers, ALMS teams, or NASCAR Busch series teams that I've raced with or spoken with use spacers. Further, while I can't be absolutely sure, I believe that Philip runs an 18x12 (could be 18x11) wheel with an offset near zero, with no spacer. It's been a while since we had that conversation.
It's really a simple matter: spacers change the forces the wheelstuds are subjected to. If you're comfortable with that, fine. But I've yet to encounter a vehicle so finicky that there isn't a multitude of wheels, in a multitude of diameters and widths, that will fit. I suppose you could say that, with the 3/S, occasionally you have to screw with the Dave point a little more than is ideal to avoid using a spacer, but I'd rather do that than beat on the wheel studs.
Clint