Wheel spacers.... Steel or Ali?

[unknownmanxman]

Well, the time is coming to look into wheel spacers (30mm probably)

Ive looked around and i noticed you can get ali or steel ones. So apart from the obvious, which is the better one to have? I like the sound of steel ones but Ali ones are cheaper..

Cheers

[V8MoneyPit]

As long as they are well designed, there is no reason why one should be any better than the other.

[Berliner Beer]

Looking to sell mine. Done just under 4000 miles. I have brought new wheels which are wider which now means mine stick out way too far. If ya interested drop me a line. PS they are ALI. Looking for about £100. Currently on my defender 110 SW.

[unknownmanxman]

Are they 30mm?

[Porny]

I'd personnaly would say steel....  and proper hub centric ones ideally - esp if running alloy wheels.

Have heard of alloy ones cracking....  but in saying that, lots of people run them without a problem

Mine came from Kenson 4x4.... but also avalible from QT services.


Ian

[Litch]

I briefly looked at getting a set so I could fit Boosts's (early 90 front axle & although rear is disc-braked I have 2-piece shafts) and after a lot of ringing around, getting opinions, advice etc the conclusions I came up with are as follows. Some of it is just plain common sense but nevertheless:-

Avoid cheap cast alloy ones.
If using alloy ones make sure they are well made and have type approval.
If using them to fit alloys make sure they have the centre spigot to locate the wheel and take the weight otherwise you are putting load on the studs which they are not designed to have.
Unless you fit wider arches you will probably end up with the tyres sticking out past the arches, this is illegal, an MOT failure and means the side of the vehicle (inc' mirrors) gets covered in muck in double quick time.
Wheel bearings will be taking an increased load so will probably wear quicker but this would be picked up with regular maintenance. It doesn't mean they will pack up in a few months but might (for instance) only last 30K miles instead of 50K.
Finally check with your insurance company before you buy them, mine were happy for me to fit them but wanted a 25% increase in premium. Remember invalid insurance is no insurance.

P.S In the end I didn't bother and stuck with my modulars (for now).

[davidlandy]

got steel ones on mine courtesy of a transaction with Guy90.

very heavy, no probs with them.  dropped one on the sill of a hire car I had and dented the sill quite badly , whoops - glad they didnt spot it when i returned it!
 :oops:

[unknownmanxman]

Thanks litch..

M.O.T isnt a problem, as we dont have them over here..

Ahhhh the Ali ones paddocks are selling for £135exVAT are a no no then

The cheapest steel ones i can find are £185 from challenger 4x4

Good point about the wheel bearings but i can live with the reduced millage... the bearings are in and out often enough what with broken halfshafts  :P

I shall probably wait as the postage to I.O.M will be terrible as the steel ones are heavy (thanks Dave)

[wizard]

I put a set of ali ones on a while back, no matter how tight i done the nuts up two of them kept comming loose.
They are now in the bin !!!
I would rather go the deeper off set wheel route.

wizard  :twisted:

[TDi90]

from challenger 4x4

(thanks Dave)

v. good company... can reccommend highly.
also a mate of mine whitch helps ;)

[V8MoneyPit]

Unless you fit wider arches you will probably end up with the tyres sticking out past the arches, this is illegal, an MOT failure and means the side of the vehicle (inc' mirrors) gets covered in muck in double quick time.

Surprisingly, it isn't an MOT failure to have the tyre protruding from the arches. But you can be stopped by the Police as you suggest.

[Berliner Beer]

Are they 30mm?

Hmm I havent got a clue :oops:  Sorry not much help. I`ll have to get a wheel off to have a look. Not gunna happen this side of xmas though, mega busy at the moment

[Litch]

I think you will find the minimum depth is about 30mm as any less and the existing stud would protude.

[T30CDB]

I have had a set of ali spacers fitted for 60 000 miles . No problems at all. except for the mud getting thrown all up the side of the vehicle if you have nice side lugs on your tyres. Enough speed and you can normally fire it over the top of the vehicle and the one behind you as well  :D  :D  :D