Spacers on stock wheels/ride height

[Ulikefishsticks]

I want my wheels to push out a little further, are spacers an ok option? I have heard mixed thoughts with using them. I am holding off at least another year before I buy a nice set of wheels which will eliminate need for spacers. Is it also weird to like the look of poke fitment. Not an extreme amount but they just look tucked in to far. I see some reasonable sets of 20mm and 24mm spacers. I don't track the car or drive really crazy most of the time. Are spacers ok as long as I stand under 24mm? I know the proper way to get the look is just get the right set of wheels but I want to hold off and buy a nice set of wheels in the next year or so.

Here is the set I am looking at

Eibach Pro-Spacers (System 4 - Nut Style) | Kia Stinger - GT (2018)

Features Eibach Pro Spacers are custom-crafted to fit between your vehicle's hub and wheel These specialized wheel spacers move your tire flush with the wheel well face for aggressive looks and a wider stance Eibach Pro Spacers improve handling by reducing body roll with a wider wheel base...

www.hoonigan.com

Thanks

 

[Kamauxx]

24mm seem to be a bit aggressive. At that thickness you may be altering more than just the looks and potentially putting strain on components of the suspension.

 

[Ulikefishsticks]

I'm not to knowledgeable on spacers and how much it will affect components. I'm not attached to any size. I do see some 15mm ones also.

 

[Kamauxx]

I'm no spacer expert either. I didn't have them on my Stinger. I do have 10mm spacers on my current car. When researching them I found quite a few posts/articles that said the larger they get the more strain they put on the suspension. Because of that I decided to stay relatively tame in my choice.

24mm would push the wheels out almost an inch. Depending on tires that would probably get you the poke you're after. Remember, with that poke, and potential excess wear and tear you'll also face issues with more debris being spit at the paint from the tires. I think 15mm would be a more reasonable option.

Are Wheel Spacers Actually Safe? | Fitment Industries

Are wheel spacers safe and reliable? Should you put wheel spacers on your car? Today, we're diving into this hot topic. Check it out to learn more!

www.fitmentindustries.com

"For example, they may increase the wear of the bearings, axles, and hubs since the vehicle you are driving likely weren’t designed for the additional width you set it to; depending on how far out you are going with your wheel offset of course."

From my recent research I can at least give you some suggestions for installation. When you install them apply some anti-seize to the back of the spacer to ensure they don't get stuck. And for the threads apply blue loctite for added assurance that things will stay buttoned up. And of course make sure you follow Kia's recommendation for torquing things down.

 

[Ulikefishsticks]

Yeah, an inch is pretty far, I agree. I think I am going to give 15mm a try. Thanks for the post.

 

[87and66]

I have 20mm spacers on mine with stock wheels, and lowered on H&R springs. I had the spacers on a few days before I did the springs and it made a good difference in the look of the car. However, with the wheels poking out a little more, it makes the wheel gap of stock ride height even more noticeable. It makes the car look better in one aspect, and worse in another. But if you're lowered, the spacers make the car look f*****g proper . One downside is, your tires will throw a lot more stuff on the car. I had to het Rokblokz mud flaps to help that and I still get some and always get stuff on the back of the side mirrors. Here are some pics with springs and spacers. Sorry, I don't have any before lowering but hopefully this helps!

side note: I bought these spacers from amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D3PZKB1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They are EXACTLY the same as the ones on Khartunerz. I paid $60 on amazon and they're $220 from Khar

 

[Ulikefishsticks]

Yeah, that is one thing I did not think about. I have been holding off on lowering springs because I want to do it myself as I was quoted over $800 for the work. I just need somewhere to do it at. I live in an apartment complex currently so major work becomes a PITA. Thanks for the post and pictures.

 

[celwin]

I have 20mm spacers on mine with stock wheels, and lowered on H&R springs. I had the spacers on a few days before I did the springs and it made a good difference in the look of the car. However, with the wheels poking out a little more, it makes the wheel gap of stock ride height even more noticeable. It makes the car look better in one aspect, and worse in another. But if you're lowered, the spacers make the car look f*****g proper . One downside is, your tires will throw a lot more stuff on the car. I had to het Rokblokz mud flaps to help that and I still get some and always get stuff on the back of the side mirrors. Here are some pics with springs and spacers. Sorry, I don't have any before lowering but hopefully this helps!

side note: I bought these spacers from amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D3PZKB1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They are EXACTLY the same as the ones on Khartunerz. I paid $60 on amazon and they're $220 from Khar

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The rear is perfect. The front IMO is too far out. I would do a 5-10mm max up front instead of 20mm. In fact that is exactly what I'm going to do once I put on the factory wheels for winter.

 

[87and66]

The rear is perfect. The front IMO is too far out. I would do a 5-10mm max up front instead of 20mm. In fact that is exactly what I'm going to do once I put on the factory wheels for winter.

I think a narrower spacer up front would look good too. But I do like where mine sits. I believe the pictures make the front look like they stick out a bit more than they actually do. The pictures of the back are pretty accurate to what it looks like in person.

Here’s another angle of the front tire. You can see that the tire’s sidewall just barely pokes out, but no tread is out. But as the body panels angle inward, you can, of course see more tread.

 

[danieltoombs]

I was planning to buy spacers like that, but in 15mm (rear) and 12mm (front) thickness. Is there enough "pocket" behind the wheel for these 2 sized spacers? (Since the thinner the spacer, the more the stock stud sticks through). Any help from someone with experience would be appreciated before I make a purchase. Thanks

 

[Gtecko]

I have 20mm all around and it does poke a little bit however I do not mind at all, I think the rear looks super good with them, the from maybe could do with 10mm only but honestly with the stretch oem front tires size, it does look good

 

[Jayphil]

I was planning to buy spacers like that, but in 15mm (rear) and 12mm (front) thickness. Is there enough "pocket" behind the wheel for these 2 sized spacers? (Since the thinner the spacer, the more the stock stud sticks through). Any help from someone with experience would be appreciated before I make a purchase. Thanks

That is the ultimate question for spacer on stock wheels, how much pocket on stock wheel to accommodate stock studs going pass the spacers. Also what is the minimum safe spacer tickeness for these type of spacer which you keep your stock studs but use the spacer studs to mount the wheels.

I would bet that 15 mm is probably the thinnest you can go for these type of spacers. This is what I would run up front if 15mm works for stock wheel pocket. 15mm or even 20mm is good the the back. These thickness is better for lowerred car.

For non lowerred car I would reduce about 5mm front and back so maybe 10mm front (need different spacer with extended studs though) / 10-15mm back. To avoid using extended studs could choose to go 5mm front and 15mm in the back.


Anybody can confirm that 15mm spacers is ok for stock wheels pockets?


For reference:
These spacers where you keep stock studs 15mm to 20+mm


And not the one you need to replace the studs. Below 15mm. (5mm probably do not need extended studs)

 

[Andr3Stacks]

I have 20mm all around as well for 2months now and I like the look. I have the same spacers as @87and66 and no issues so far. How about you?
I should be checking and retorquing as needed soon but haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

[NS_Stinger]

The OEM wheels have nice deep pockets for spacer studs but I don't know that anyone has taken an official measurement. I bought 20mm for all around to be used at stock height. I ended up only running the rears and keep the fronts for if I ever decide to lower the car, I think at stock height the fronts would poke too much. I like the rears only as it gives the car an aggressive RWD look, but I think if you were running them all around at stock height you'd want to run 15-20mm rear and 10mm front for the best look.

 

[87and66]

I have 20mm all around as well for 2months now and I like the look. I have the same spacers as @87and66 and no issues so far. How about you?
I should be checking and retorquing as needed soon but haven't gotten around to it yet.

still good with mine. no issues other than how dirty my car gets if I drive though a drop of water . I love your username btw

 

[Andr3Stacks]

still good with mine. no issues other than how dirty my car gets if I drive though a drop of water . I love your username btw

Haha thanks. Yeah my car gets extra dirty too. Might do some DIY mud guards for rear/front and see.
Did you have to retorque yours after a bit? I was going to do it few weeks ago just to be on the safe side but I've been procrastinating lifting my car up.

 

[87and66]

Haha thanks. Yeah my car gets extra dirty too. Might do some DIY mud guards for rear/front and see.
Did you have to retorque yours after a bit? I was going to do it few weeks ago just to be on the safe side but I've been procrastinating lifting my car up.

I haven't touched them since I installed them. I used a torque wrench and torqued them to 95 ft-lbs, so they shouldn't move.

I have rokblokz slimz mud guards and they definitely help, but they don't completely eliminate the problem. Just something we have to live with. Its also more noticeable on my black car

 

[Andr3Stacks]

I haven't touched them since I installed them. I used a torque wrench and torqued them to 95 ft-lbs, so they shouldn't move.

I have rokblokz slimz mud guards and they definitely help, but they don't completely eliminate the problem. Just something we have to live with. Its also more noticeable on my black car

I initially torqued to 95 as well. My only concern was about a week ago, I had my car serviced at the dealership and they rotated my tires even though I specifically said not to and that I would. If I had to bet my coins, I'm pretty sure they sure don't torque them properly and just impact wrench the hell out of them.

Mine's black too. Oh, the struggle

 

[NS_Stinger]

I initially torqued to 95 as well. My only concern was about a week ago, I had my car serviced at the dealership and they rotated my tires even though I specifically said not to and that I would. If I had to bet my coins, I'm pretty sure they sure don't torque them properly and just impact wrench the hell out of them.

Mine's black too. Oh, the struggle

If you have hub centric spacers rotating tires won't change anything, they wouldn't even touch the nuts on the spacers securing them to the hub when doing that work.

 

[Andr3Stacks]

If you have hub centric spacers rotating tires won't change anything, they wouldn't even touch the nuts on the spacers securing them to the hub when doing that work.

Yup, hub centric spacers. ALWAYS.
I was more worried about the dealers over-torqueing the wheels to the nuts on the spacers.