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Wheel Spacers


Guest Brian T

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Guest Brian T

Hi guys, can anyone tell me the maximum spacer thickness I can use please? I bought a rolling chassis minus wheels, then bought some Mondeo wheels to get it on the trailer.

 

The wheels are fitted with 225/40/18 tyres and these are actually rubbing against the top suspension mount, bonus actually when we were getting it off the trailer as I live on a hill.

 

These are really nice wheels and look made for the job so don't really want to get different ones but will do if necessary..

 

5mm (?) spacers were needed to even get it on the trailer and even then the nuts only went on 3 maybe 4 turns until tight so the tyres are shall we say a bit more than comfort fit against the top mount.

 

I know 20mm spacers are available, but, one, still not sure if these would be wide enough? two, would it be possible to fit say a 5mm and a 20mm sandwiched or would that become a safety issue? I work in motorcycle engineering, renovating Velocettes, so I could turn up some stainless studs oversize on width and length if needed.

 

Alternatively as the chassis is sliding pillar would conversion to wishbone improve or resolve the issue?

 

Sorry for any dumb questions, my mechanical experience is limited to aircraft, karts and motorcycles,none of which have ever provided me with something like this. My brain is saying 20mm is probably the limit, the wider the extension the greater the leverage the weight bearing being the stud base and or wheel nut ,the wider the track the more weight? As you can imagine I have visions of going down the road and a wheel breaking away.

 

Have a very Happy New Year one and all.

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Guest Ian & Carole

Getting rid of the sliding pillar is the way forward and if your car is still in bits then now is the time to seriously consider it.

 

Spacer wise you could go down this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/24mm-Hubcentric-Spacers-FORD-STUDS-617-/390285520363?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5aded46deb route although some frown at the increase in "unsprung" weight.

 

I have a set on the rear of our 2b with out issue.

 

Just an option to ponder.

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I think I would stay away from stainless steel for any stressed bolts. Wrong properties. Those nice spacers Ian suggests are the way to go and still support the wheel centre correctly but if you have ally spacers made up or buy some you can buy 8.8 grade long wheel studs to put in your hubs and replace the standard shorter ones. Bear in mind that spacers will change the feel of the steering by increasing the pivot or scrub radius and you get tram-lining.

 

Nigel

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might be a source of contention but i've heard that 18 inch alloys apart from looking very sweet on a 7 are not a good choice. They will provide a very harsh ride and probably increase your gearing possibly reducing your acceleration rate unless you change the diff to compensate or have a very big engine.

 

If you have a look at caterhams they seem to fit 15's and i think they still do them with 13's!

 

I am far from an expert but just raising a few points that others may have more info on. which could help you with your choice/setup

 

I myself run 195's on 15's. You may find 225's are too wide and get problems with aquaplaning etc.

 

obviously its totally up to you but i hope thats useful

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A mate runs 245-40-16's on a 2b IMHO they look ok but right on the limit of ok for a 7.

As for 18's it's your car but for handling probably 205-50-15 are better

 

Back to the original question, your Mondeo wheels will have an offset of about 48 to 52mm, the rim width is 8" so you have to reduce the inset by the 48mm and the extra rim width, roughly 3", you can get spacers made that are very wide, the ones on the Ferrari replicas have 4" ones.

Your limit for a spacer will be how long the extra long wheel studs you can buy are or you have to have a spacer with studs in and bolt the adaptor to the hub.

The longer bolt on adaptors are expensive and will put a lot of strain on your hub bearings another effect is that the suspension geometry will be a nightmare to set up.

225-40-18's were designed to fit a car weighing 1.5 tonnes your car will weigh half that.

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To-day in the slush I was very glad to be on 185 60 15 we cruised past the big tyre cars in the hedges on top of Marlborough Downs, it's not necessary to wear big wheels/tyres to enjoy our light-weight toys. (IMO & I'm sticking to it)

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Guest Brian T

Thanks for the replies guys. All appreciated.

 

As I said it was a quick purchase basically to get the chassis on the trailer and home, only realised how good they looked when on so thought about keeping them.

 

I have heard the sliding pillar set-up can be a bit "difficult to live with" and the double wishbone gives a better ride and more responsive. Because of that I was also thinking of changing to the wishbone setup. Is it an expensive conversion? Probably looking at buying them in if they are still available as a kit, I read a thread on here that Luego did a conversion kit minus the coil over springs. When I contact them what are they likely to ask me ,I don't want to sound like a right muppet ! Do they need to know what rack is fitted? If so how do I tell, I've heard they were fitted with Sierra or ?Marina? I don't mind welding brackets to the chassis but can't get access to hydraulic benders and things now so buying in is the way I have to go.

 

Finally does anyone know of a blog or other resource for doing the job?

 

Sorry for the late reply but we had visitors for a few days. Thanks again.

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The 2b i believe has 2 different racks maybe even 3. My 2b with the wishbone sus has a modified LHD Metro rack from what i've read on here. weird?!. But i believe some had a seirra rack. Not sure what the sliding pillar had.

 

From my limited knowledge the main factor is getting the pivot points of the rack inline with the pivot points of the sus arms. otherwise you get bump steer.

 

Hopefully the companies you talk to will be able to advise but to me it seems a case of knowing the distance between the sus and find a rack that has the pivot points in the same place. If you use a power steering rack without the pumps etc you will get a better lock to lock ratio.

 

hope that makes sense.

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Guest Brian T

Thanks for that . I'll have a ring around on Monday and see what they say, from what I can make out only GBS and Luego make the kit. I'll get back to you and let you know the outcome.

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