How do I center the wheels on non-hubcentric spacers? Are the holes in the wheel supposed to be exactly the same diameter as the studs? I'm looking to get these mr. gasket spacers (or these) as I can't justify spending $100+ just to move my wheels a few mm.

I used some washers just to see how it would look (much better), but I had trouble getting the lugnuts back on. The wheels are hub-centric, so with the extra spacing, they didn't reach the hub and I had to hold the wheel up a little bit to get it to fit. It seems like if I get spacers, it will be difficult to make sure the wheels are centered, or will the lug nuts be enough to ensure that it's centered?

Are there any hub-centric spacers that are about 10mm? All the ones I've found are really expensive and an inch or more thick.

the picture is what it was like before installing the nuts.

 

Hub-centric is ideal, whether it be hub-centric centering rings for aftermarket wheels or when using spacers. If it's NOT hub-centric (be it wheels or spacers) then it’s important to use proper procedures in tightening your lug nuts (important to follow the same rules even if it IS hub-centric too!). Hand tighten all the lugs one at a time using cross corner tightening method. Make sure to spin the tire so that the lug your snugging up is the TOP lug. Do this for all the lugs. In other words....... get your wheel on the hub, studs sticking out, stick all the lugs on loosely. HAND tighten the top lug nut so it’s just snug, spin the wheel so that the lug that is on top now, is ACROSS from the last lug you snugged up. DO this to all 5 lugs, then incrementally tighten them using the same across pattern and only tightening the lug on top till max torque is reached. This should yield the most centric application of the wheel to hub without using hub-centric rings or spacers. The lug nuts are tapered and the wheel seats for the lugs are counter sunk so as the lugs are tightened, they are supposed to self center. This only works if its done incrementally and cross corner tightened.

~Mike.................

 

ok, thanks.

What about hub centric rings? Are there any aftermarket ones which are longer for use with spacers?

 

Not that I know of. I know there are hub-centric spacers though. Know anyone who owns a machine shop?

~Mike.............

 

no.

I think I'll try the spacers, anyway. They're cheap and I only need them for the rear.
It's kind of weird, my wheels are 17x7" +42 with 215/40(front) /45(rear), but the fronts look ok. Not flush, but it looks like I may have to roll the fenders if I put any spacers on the front. Next time I get tires, I'm getting 225s, so that may require front spacers to clear the springs.

 

I've decided not to get spacers. After adding up every thing, I don't think it's worth it.
spacers:$15 (summitracing)
studs:$13 (summitracing)
cheap stuff, right?
Then I looked up the real wheel bearings, which have to be replaced: $148 (74x2, mazdatrix) + $22 (11x2, mazdatrix)

That's $200 (+ lots of labor) just to move my rear wheels 11mm, which only I will probably notice. It would actually be cheaper and easier to buy the better more expensive hub-centric spacers with built in studs!

I might go with these(bottom of page) in 15mm (but they would make my offset +27, which may be too much). I hear they're good. Anyone else heard of them? They are the only studded spacers I could find for less than $100.

 

im sure bearings are a lot cheaper at NAPA.

and with those wheels, i'd run 20 or 25mm spacers.

 

napa? really? well, shows how much I know. I still would rather do hub centric so I don't have to replace the studs or anything. just bolt on and done.

found the bearings at autozone: here. That's much cheaper, but still nearly $80 + all the labor involved. (I don't even know where I'd find a press.) Those MAX spacers are just $70 a pair at 15mm.

I don't want to have to modify the fenders, so with 17x7 and 225/45, I'd like to be as close to +30 as I can to be safe. I'm not going for an aggressive set up.

 

You realise the spacers that "bolt on" and have studs built into them will be like 30mm thick right? The spacer has to be thicker then what studs you have protruding out from the hub! A 10mm spacer should'nt need new studs, just make sure you get a good full 5 threaded turns out of the lug nuts and you should be ok.

~Mike...............

 

I wondered about that. Do you know the length of the stock FC studs?
(forgot to mention I have an FC) The FSM just gives the torque.

you sure? I've heard a lot of people say anything over 5mm needs new studs. 5mm doesn't really do anything for looks, though I may need some for the front when I go to 225 tires.


Thanks for all your help

Edit: searched and found this thread, where it's mentioned that the stock studs in the rear are 1.5 inches. I'd be removing 7/16" from that. I'm going to try the washers again and see how much thread I've got left.

 

I would only run hubcentric spacers on any of my cars just to be on the safe side. Mainly because i don't want to put any more stress on these old *** studs than i need to.

I have the Max 15 mm spacer in the rear with the hubcentric ring. They are great value for the money and solid pieces. People who know me, know i am **** about what parts i get. . I have Kics Project spacers in the front however.

Good luck.

 

do they come with that ring? what size is it?

 

They come with the ring, and my rear spacer is a 15 mm. But, i don't know the exact sizes of the ring dimensions.