wheel spacers vs. offset wheels

[13kidd]

After reading a lot of threads on wheels spacers on this site and other forums i have come to learn that they arent to safe to have on your vehicle and i have seen many people say that instead of using spacers you should use negative offset rims because they wont wear out your bearings. but wont a negative offset rim put the same stress on your bearing that a spacer would, since both work the same way to move the tire farther away from the vehicle? please correct me if im wrong ive been wondering about this. thanks for the help!

 

[adsm08]

No, you are correct. Anything that changes the relationship of the point where the wheel meets the hub and the edge of the tire adds stress to the bearings. If you want a wider stance find a wider axle.

 

[13kidd]

No, you are correct. Anything that changes the relationship of the point where the wheel meets the hub and the edge of the tire adds stress to the bearings. If you want a wider stance find a wider axle.

Thanks for the clarification! i figured that the offset wheels would make no difference compared to the spacers in terms of wearing out bearings, but just needed someone with a little more knowledge about it to correct me, thanks for the help!

 

[ericlerouge]

well, from what i see with my 05 mustang gt wheels, i tried them without spacers, the wheel is way inside the fender compared to the stock 14 inches . the spacer will bring it at the same point, offset wise. what i think add more stress is the added weight of larger wheels and tires combo. Maybe more stress from a larger surface contact with the road, and surely more stress from a more agressive way to drive with those newer wider wheels and tires...

 

[Jasper_S]

I have asked the same question and I have gotten mixed answers. But, I think spacers can come loose from the studs if you don't check its tightness periodically and it can make your wheel bearings fail prematurely.