How much do spacers affect handling?

[JonnyOg]

Hey I'm trying to decide if I should go square or staggered with spacers, I don't want to increase understeer too much, but I need a better fit with 15x6.5 et33 wheels.

[jlevie]

If the same spacers are used on all four corners, the affect on handling will not be noticeable.

[petrolhead]

If the same spacers are used on all four corners, the affect on handling will not be noticeable.

That is simply not true.

I've noticed that very small changes in front axle scrub radius change the steering feel a lot. This in an E30 with no powersteering (except biceps) and fairly narrow tires. Also noticed that my mate's E30 w/powersteering isn't so picky about spacer width. But, you kill steering feel with PS anyway :)

I can imagine that cars with wide tires don't change so much either.

[JonnyOg]

I could imagine steering input would be different, but would a 5 mm difference per corner on the back be noticeable? Was thinking of running 15 up front and 20 rear

[e30construction]

ive got 15 front and 20 in the back and i dont feel much of a difference

[carfantiti]

it would be a positive effect not negitive.

[Herr Faust Schinken]

With spacers you are really just widening your cars track, which most of the time Is a good thing wider track normally leads to more stability, and more stability is always a good thing

[JonnyOg]

With spacers you are really just widening your cars track, which most of the time Is a good thing wider track normally leads to more stability, and more stability is always a good thing

Yea I was just more worried about increasing the rear track more than the front

[Herr Faust Schinken]

Yea I was just more worried about increasing the rear track more than the front

Ether way it wouldn't hurt

[carfantiti]

Yea I was just more worried about increasing the rear track more than the front

why it is front that is more a worry .i have run spacers on my car from 5mm,15,mm with studs and bolts.The fronts is where the clearance issues are . the back you do to push wheel out so its not tucked to much.

[JonnyOg]

Just handling wise, doesn't a wider rear track= under steer?

[jlevie]

I could imagine steering input would be different, but would a 5 mm difference per corner on the back be noticeable? Was thinking of running 15 up front and 20 rear

5mm difference in front to back on my Spec E30 is enough to shift the car from oversteer to understeer. Which is why I have 5mm spacers on the rear wheels and none on the front.