WARNING ECS Wheel Spacers do not work with some ESM Wheels

[BlackE30]

The hubcentric ECS 10.5mm wheel spacers do not fit correctly with ESM wheels. Note- I have only tested this with my ESM BBS LM replica, I do not know if this is true with other ESM wheels.

The ECS spacers have a second lip that does not fit correctly with the back of the rim.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/10165/ES250716/

The second lip will leave about 5mm of space in between the spacer and the wheel giving you a very nice vibration in the steering wheel when driving which is highly unsafe.

The spacers do work with stock wheels so it is not a problem with the spacer design, the problem lies within the design of the ESM wheels.

Pictures and more details to follow once I talk with Ary.

Jeff

[BlackE30]

Detailed pictures-

[Massive Lee]

Interesting, but i still don't understand. Do you mean the spacer doesn't fully engage in the wheel's center bore? Is the center bore tappered? Or is it that the spacer won't entirely fit over your hub/bearing because the bearing's center hub is too high (which often happens with 10 and 12mm spacers)?

Please, can you measure the biggest diameter on the face of the hub. Is it still 57mm? Any picture of the wheel's center bore without the spacer? Is there any step?

[BlackE30]

It fits the hub just fine, the problem is the tappered part like you said. The spacer wont fit flush with the rim.

I checked on a stock wheel and it fit perfectly flush.

[Mystikal]

Interesting. I know that 5x120 spacer manufacturers warn people that their 10mm setups won't work with certain wheels. Looks like ECS needs to add a disclaimer too.

Sorry to hear that.

[BlackE30]

The inside of the rims centerbore is beveled which is why they dont fit.



This image is a disclaimer on TMS's whebsite for their 5mm spacers. The ESM wheels have the same beveled center bore

[Massive Lee]

Okay now. I can clearly see the problem. If I understand, the wheel will fit over the spacer's smaller hub, but won't clear all of the bigger bore, simply because the tapper on the wheel's center bore is not large enough.

That's indeed a problem with 10 and 12mm spacers as they need to create a wider section at the base of its hub to clear the bearing's hub, and allow enough material for the spacer's hub.

It is even worst on e46 as the bearing's hub extend 3mm more than on e36. So, a 12mm spacer that will fit an e36, will not fit an e46 as the spacer won't entirely slide onto the bearing... Nothing is universal.

To fit the ESM wheels, you will need to enlarge the bevel on the wheel, or use a thicker spacer that doesn't have a stepped hub. Sorry mate.

[BlackE30]

Getting spacers that would fit would be my easiest option, now I just need to find some.

Jeff

[Massive Lee]

Getting spacers that would fit would be my easiest option, now I just need to find some.

Jeff

Hi Jeff

All hubcentric 10mm spacers need to have that wider section at the base of the hub, so that there's enough material for the 57mm extension. if you look closely, you will notice that thicker spacers don't require it. Usually, that bulge that you have a problem with, is designed at a tappered angle to minimize interference with wheels, at the expense of a thinner wall.

[BlackE30]

crap, cant fit a larger spacer, tires already rub a bit as is.

Jeff

[Mystikal]

The double whammy is that if the centerbore is beveled that much, then the chances of a flat 8mm spacer working properly are even worse than a wheel that the 10mm would have worked on.

I have one guy on here (BigD) running 17x7.5 ET30 with 235s. Back down to a 5mm.

[Massive Lee]

I have one guy on here (BigD) running 17x7.5 ET30 with 235s. Back down to a 5mm.

5mm spacers are flat and don't have any hub to center the wheel on. 5mm spacers will still allow wheels to center themselve on the bearing's hub if there bevel is small.

[Mystikal]

Fully aware. I do have this usertitle for a reason. :p

It's his last option though, beyond getting rid of the tires he just bought. If it will catch just enough, he will be fine.

For the record, BigD's Koseis were ET35 also. 5mm, no problem.

[Spaz]

Maybe Flat Spacers + Hub Extenders Like turner sells? Not sure if they will work with the e30 hub..

-Cam

[M-technik-3]

Hub extenders don't fit the rear. They require some force to be installed as well on the front.