Wheel spacers are a great way to enhance the performance and look of your vehicle. They are an easy and relatively inexpensive modification that can provide a number of benefits. But there are also some drawbacks to using wheel spacers, so it’s important to understand what they do before deciding whether or not they’re right for you.
What are Wheel Spacers?
Wheel spacers are metal discs that fit between your car’s wheels and its axle hub, allowing you to effectively increase the width of the wheelbase by creating additional clearance between them. This can be done for both aesthetic purposes, such as making your car look wider, or for performance reasons such as improving handling or providing additional clearance for bigger tires.
What Are the Benefits of Using Wheel Spacers?
Improved Performance & Handling: One of the most common benefits associated with using wheel spacers is improved suspension geometry which helps improve handling and traction while cornering or under acceleration/braking scenarios. This is particularly beneficial on cars equipped with wide tires which require more room between each wheel in order to properly absorb road shock without causing excessive body roll or instability.
Enhanced Aesthetics: Wheel spacers can also be used to enhance the look of your vehicle by allowing you to fit wider wheels and tires which can give your car a more aggressive, muscular look. This is especially useful if you’re considering changing the size of your wheels in order to achieve the desired effect without having to purchase new ones entirely.
Drawbacks of Using Wheel Spacers
Reduced Tire Clearance: One of biggest drawbacks associated with using wheel spacers is that they require a significant amount of wheel/tire clearance in order for them to be safely installed, meaning that if your vehicle doesn’t currently have enough room between each wheel and its fenders, then wheel spacers might not be an ideal solution for you as it could cause additional problems down the line such as fender rubbing or tire interference.
Increased Risk Of Accidents Or Damage: Another potential downside of using wheel spacers is that they can increase the risk of accidents or damage due to their ability to reduce steering stability and cause suspension components such as shock absorbers or bushings to wear out faster than usual due excessive stress from unequal weight distribution across all four wheels. This is why it’s important to always read the instructions and safety guidelines carefully before attempting to install wheel spacers yourself.
How to Install Wheel Spacers
Before installing wheel spacers, you should familiarize yourself with the instructions that come with your kit as each type of spacer is slightly different and may require specific installation techniques or tools in order for them to be fitted properly. It’s also important to ensure that all bolts are properly tightened and that no components are left loose as this could lead to accidents or other damage down the line.
Safety Precautions
When using wheel spacers, it’s important to take necessary safety precautions such as wearing protective gear like gloves and eye protection, keeping any loose items out of the way so they don’t interfere with your work, and ensuring there is no risk of fire or electrical shock due to exposure to high temperature parts like brakes or exhaust systems while working on your vehicle. Additionally, if you plan on using high performance tires then it’s a good idea to get them professionally balanced before installing them onto your wheels in order to avoid any potential vibration issues caused by uneven weight distribution across all four wheels.
Conclusion
Wheel spacers can be a great way to improve the performance and aesthetics of your vehicle, but it’s important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of using them before attempting to install them yourself. By following the instructions included in your kit and taking all necessary safety precautions, you can enjoy improved handling and enhanced looks without risking accidents or damage down the line.
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