Installing spacers on wheels?

[Maluco]

Your tire is rubbing on the strut because the offset of the rims is too high. The spacers would cure that, not the struts.

ahhh.... so the higher the offset the more inside my wheels sit and the lower the offset the more outwards they sit?

Ok, so logically the size of my spacers are going to depend on how much the struts/springs lowers the car, correct? If not the fender will be sitting on the tire... therefore if I am indeed going to lower the car, spacers should come second? Also, being that my offset is already high, adding spacers would increase the chance that I need longer lugnuts, correct?

[Digitalwave]

Offsets are stamped on the wheels - it will say et __ mm. Most likely somwhere around 25mm.

I am guessing his are closer to 35 or 40.

[Digitalwave]

ahhh.... so the higher the offset the more inside my wheels sit and the lower the offset the more outwards they sit?

Ok, so logically the size of my spacers are going to depend on how much the struts/springs lowers the car, correct? If not the fender will be sitting on the tire... therefore if I am indeed going to lower the car, spacers should come second? Also, being that my offset is already high, adding spacers would increase the chance that I need longer lugnuts, correct?

You've got it all correct. You always need longer lugs even with little spacers. You could get the spacers first, you just want to make sure you are going to get ones that will still fit when the car is lower. If you could find out your tire size and the rim offset, we could definately let you know what size you need.

[Sean]

Sean, in regards to your reply, I would lower both the front and the back. I have struts in the front and just shocks in the back. You stated "the Bilstein Sports combined with H&R Sport Springs tends to be a winner combination. it lowers the car about 1.25inches all the way around" I looked up some images under Bilstein Sports on google and it looks like it's a set of both the struts and the rear shocks, is this correct? So then all I would need is the springs, yes? Another concern, it seems like my tires are rubbing my struts when I hit dips in the street/highway. I take it Bilstein takes this into consideration in the design of their struts? Thanks

thanks again guys

TJ pretty much answers the rubbing issue, he's absolutely right. Yes, buying the Bilstein sports includes the Front Strut Inserts and Rear Shocks. The H&R Sports are a set of lowering/stiffening springs that pair with the Bilstein Sports very well. The set of H&R's include springs for all four corners. You will need to buy both together, that's correct.

We're here to help! :)

[Maluco]

Cool, I'll get the tire size and look for the offset stamp on my wheels. I'm hoping the lugnuts I currently have are already sufficient in length. I'll get the length of the lugnuts from the store I bought them at and post all three figures. Thanks again.

[Digitalwave]

It's unsafe to be running longer length lugs without spacers, so I hope your are stock size still.

[Maluco]

I could not find the offset on my wheels, unless they are stamped on the back side? My tire size is 215 / 40 R17.

I was also hoping to find the part number to my wheels as well. I would like to purchase a 5th as a spare but I couldn't find that either. I'm calling Enkei today...

[erik325i]

It's unsafe to be running longer length lugs without spacers, so I hope your are stock size still.

How is any less safe than having long studs with a spacer? If you are just trying to point out the fact that long studs are not safe in general, just say it. Spacers won't make your longer wheel studs any more safe though.

I could not find the offset on my wheels, unless they are stamped on the back side?

Yeah, they will be stamped on the backside. You might be able to look between some of your spokes and see it, but it's easier to just remove your wheel.

[arsevader]

How is any less safe than having long studs with a spacer? If you are just trying to point out the fact that long studs are not safe in general, just say it. Spacers won't make your longer wheel studs any more safe though.

If you are talking about bolts then longer bolts are unsafe without spacers. They will screw too far into the hub. Studs are probably ok though they will protrude far past the wheel.

People interchange the words 'lugnuts' , 'studs' and 'bolts' far too often when they are 3 separate things.

Your car came with 'bolts'. 'Studs' can be used to replace 'bolts' and 'lugnuts' screw onto the 'studs' when you put the wheel on.

James

[Maluco]

yeah, I was getting a little confused but figured I'd leave that one alone. Someone stated earlier in this thread I would need longer lugnuts when using spacers, I think they meant longer bolts or in my case longer studs (because the bolts have obviously been replaced with studs).

So, let me clarify, with spacers I will simply need longer studs, correct??? I will still be able to use my current wheel locking lugnuts?

[nando]

it's all semantics, you knew what I meant. :)

[Digitalwave]

How is any less safe than having long studs with a spacer? If you are just trying to point out the fact that long studs are not safe in general, just say it. Spacers won't make your longer wheel studs any more safe though.

I meant bolts because you don't want them screwing in too far if you don't have spacers. I don't think longer bolts or studs are unsafe - I am running 20mm spacers and 75mm studs in my car.

[erik325i]

So, let me clarify, with spacers I will simply need longer studs, correct??? I will still be able to use my current wheel locking lugnuts?

yes, you will need longer studs. you will still be able to use your current wheel locks.

[Maluco]

Originally posted by Digitalwave
If you could find out your tire size and the rim offset, we could definately let you know what size you need.

I found the offset!! It's 38. The tire size is 215/40 R17.

How do I calculate the size spacers needed to bring my wheels flush with the fender/body. Also, I imagine the back will need more than the front being that they are visibly different as far as closeness to being flush.... (front is closer to being flush than rear)

[Mystikal]

20mm spacers with that setup will yield the pushed to the corners filled-fenders look, but the tires may rub the fender a bit. 15mm spacers will not rub and still look a lot more aggressive than they do currently.