Wheel Spacers installed by shop?

[KnurledNut]

I bought a set of 2" spacers and guess what? I hurt myself prepping for the hurricane. FML!

Has anyone used a shop to install spacers? any issues? anything to watch for?

Thanks

 

[Random_Walk]

You'll want to see if the shop will actually install them... spacers, while they can be safe (depending on the wheel), can present hazards, and potentially (note the emphasis) expose the shop to liability issues if you get in a wreck due to a busted axle, wheel, or similar that can be pointed to using non-standard wheel rigging. Custom shops most likely won't mind, but more run-of-the-mill shops might shy away from it.

(I'm assuming there are longer studs involved to swap-in as well? 2" sounds like a pretty thick spacer.)

 

[bm02tj]

Normally the spacers are attached and have there own studs spaced between the originals
THEY NEED TO BE RETORQUED after 100 miles that means removing the wheels and retorqing the spacers
A lot of spacer mfgs ask for red locktite but that is gone when you retorque
I run 1 1/4 spacers and retorque every rotation

 

[Jbp19classic]

You may find a shop, but honestly it’s no different than bolting on a wheel, you’re just doing everything twice. Once for the spacers, once for the wheel. I’d hate to see you waste money paying someone to do something that simple. Do you have any friends or relatives you can call in a favor on? If you were local I’d be happy to help. I’ve ran spacers for years on different cars and never taken the wheels back off to retorque them, but I ALWAYS install by hand, never use an impact, and torque to spec with a good torque wrench.

 

[buddy guy]

are you on warranty still? i would imagine you would be dead in the water if any issue that could be suspension related. i guess be prepared to take them off before you go to the dealer for rotations or suspension problems.

 

[KnurledNut]

are you on warranty still? i would imagine you would be dead in the water if any issue that could be suspension related. i guess be prepared to take them off before you go to the dealer for rotations or suspension problems.

No warranty, over 38.5k.

 

[Jbp19classic]

No warranty, over 38.5k.

Bahh, who has time to wait for warranties to run out. My truck had a level on it before it hit 1000 miles! But in all fairness it’s really only lightly modded still, and I’m friends with both the service and sales manager at the dealership. I’d never expect them to break any rules and cover a repair that was legitimately caused by a mod, but I trust they’ll never try to use a mod as an excuse not to cover other things that have nothing to do with it.

 

[buddy guy]

Bahh, who has time to wait for warranties to run out. My truck had a level on it before it hit 1000 miles! But in all fairness it’s really only lightly modded still, and I’m friends with both the service and sales manager at the dealership. I’d never expect them to break any rules and cover a repair that was legitimately caused by a mod, but I trust they’ll never try to use a mod as an excuse not to cover other things that have nothing to do with it.

that sounds like a rare gem of a dealer Wild One takes his I think to the same dealer I do, and used to get some insane warranty coverage as he knew the district rep who was in the area well. but as he told me, the guy was moved on to head office and things sound like they have changed last time he needed a new tranny..compared to the first 2 times. lol.

 

[madtrucker2016]

I think they are very dangerous to install on a truck. Wouldn't want my wheel rolling past me on the highway. Looks cool to some but can kill you and maybe others

 

[Jbp19classic]

I think they are very dangerous to install on a truck. Wouldn't want my wheel rolling past me on the highway. Looks cool to some but can kill you and maybe others

Like a lot of things, if you buy cheap parts and install them stupidly, bad things can happen...but if you buy a quality part and install it correctly there’s really nothing to worry about.

 

[22hemi13]

Like a lot of things, if you buy cheap parts and install them stupidly, bad things can happen...but if you buy a quality part and install it correctly there’s really nothing to worry about.

Right. With as many spacers are out there. If it really was an issue we’d hear stories all day every day. I bet more tires have come off due to somebody over tq’ing lugs than a wheel spacer coming off or apart.

 

[Joes1500]

If people who are afraid of spacers only knew how big the spacer is on the front of a dually truck, they wouldn't know what to say.

 

[Random_Walk]

If people who are afraid of spacers only knew how big the spacer is on the front of a dually truck, they wouldn't know what to say.

I think the biggest bugaboo I have against them is that pushing the wheels out changes the alignment geometry a bit, as well as steering and handling behavior. It also would have to (because physics) put a little more stress on the wheels, axles, etc - especially under extreme conditions, since you're effectively stretching the axles out a bit (not literally, obviously, but effectively.)

Short/medium term and normal driving, yeah, it likely won't hurt a thing as long as they're decent quality and are installed correctly. Long-term (150k+ miles), or under extreme handling conditions, or under heavy loads? I'm not so sure that such an arrangement would hold up as well as stock.

One nitpick: Yes, dually trucks have fat spacers, but they were engineered for that, so it's not a fair comparison.

 

[Jbp19classic]

I think the biggest bugaboo I have against them is that pushing the wheels out changes the alignment geometry a bit, as well as steering and handling behavior. It also would have to (because physics) put a little more stress on the wheels, axles, etc - especially under extreme conditions, since you're effectively stretching the axles out a bit (not literally, obviously, but effectively.)

Short/medium term and normal driving, yeah, it likely won't hurt a thing as long as they're decent quality and are installed correctly. Long-term (150k+ miles), or under extreme handling conditions, or under heavy loads? I'm not so sure that such an arrangement would hold up as well as stock.

One nitpick: Yes, dually trucks have fat spacers, but they were engineered for that, so it's not a fair comparison.

FWIW, I have a modified C4 corvette running 1 inch spacers that sees track time, both 1/4 and autocross. I actually know a lot of people who run spacers on track cars that see a lot of abuse and never any problems. I also ran spacers on my old Trailblazer SS that was putting almost 500hp to to the wheels and also saw some drag strip time. Yes there are instances of spacers failing, but there’s also instances of stock wheels falling off too. From personal experience, I’m very comfortable with spacers.

 

[muddy12]

I’ve been running 2”spacers on my truck for quite some time now, and have had no problems.
I can’t speak for shops in the OP’s area, but around here, most shops skip the torque wrench, and just tighten things down with an impact gun. This is especially bad when installing spacers!
Quality spacers AND proper installation (properly torquing) are an absolute must.

As far as geometry and extra stress on bearings/joints; Running spacers is no different than running an aftermarket wheel with an equivalent offset.


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[KnurledNut]

Initially we thought I had a torn rotator cuff. Luckily, I just dislocated/relocated my shoulder.

After the hurricane I should be able to install the spacers myself.

I do appreciate all the comments.

 

[Jbp19classic]

Initially we thought I had a torn rotator cuff. Luckily, I just dislocated/relocated my shoulder.

After the hurricane I should be able to install the spacers myself.

I do appreciate all the comments.

Hope it heals quick! Shoulder injuries are no fun.

 

[Joes1500]

I think the biggest bugaboo I have against them is that pushing the wheels out changes the alignment geometry a bit, as well as steering and handling behavior. It also would have to (because physics) put a little more stress on the wheels, axles, etc - especially under extreme conditions, since you're effectively stretching the axles out a bit (not literally, obviously, but effectively.)

Short/medium term and normal driving, yeah, it likely won't hurt a thing as long as they're decent quality and are installed correctly. Long-term (150k+ miles), or under extreme handling conditions, or under heavy loads? I'm not so sure that such an arrangement would hold up as well as stock.

One nitpick: Yes, dually trucks have fat spacers, but they were engineered for that, so it's not a fair comparison.

It is the same exact Dana 60 front axle on a one ton dually that is on a single wheel and I know on all the first and second gens if you had a 3/4 HD it was also the same Dana 60 .. The only time it changes is if you get a(wide boy) axle on something like a 4500-5500 class truck.