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mcmen



Member Since: 03 Jun 2015
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 15

England 
Would anyone recommend WHEEL SPACERS?
Hi all,

Thinking about putting on some wheel spacers to make my car look wider and have more presence.

Have any of you carried this out? Does it make much difference? Which ones to buy?

If so, would greatly appreciate pictures. [/u]
Post #473438 17th Nov 2015 11:21am
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Hi mcmen,

Probably due to human nature most people that have them (and there are a few) would recommend them. A due consideration perhaps is that a decent offset wheel would give you the look and stance you are after without the need for spacers. There are many threads on the subject matter and here are a few of the choice ones.....

Best ones to buy.
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic16778.html?highlight=spacers

Do I need them?
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic36745.html?highlight=spacers

Alloy wheel spacers.
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic35317.html?highlight=spacers

Fitting wheel spacers can also create issues....

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic32739.html?highlight=spacers If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #473517 17th Nov 2015 3:17pm
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Wild Card 90



Member Since: 03 Dec 2014
Location: Gerlingen
Posts: 1060

England 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver
Yes they (30mm per side) make a difference. Increased wear on the swivels, steering rods and wheel bearings, and more dirt up the sides of the body are the downsides. Looks, less roll and the opportunity to dial in a tighter turning circle at full lock is the good news.
Putting them on is about as sensible as buying the Defender in the first place..... Laughing
I have them on mine, behind already wide 7 x 16 CW alloys, and it drives fine. Wouldnīt be without them.
The MUD "dirt defenders" deflectors behind the front wheels help to keep the dirt in check.
Stephen 1998 Tdi 90 SW,
2008 Td4 90 SW,
2012 2.2 90 SW,
2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma
Heavy Track Raids, 255 MTīs,
Recaro CSīs, anorak, wellingtons


Last edited by Wild Card 90 on 25th Nov 2015 7:01am. Edited 1 time in total
Post #473531 17th Nov 2015 3:59pm
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
As stated a decent offset is probably the better option IMO. Neither have spacers fitted.


Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge
 If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #473533 17th Nov 2015 4:03pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7986

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
i have some for sale! Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #473535 17th Nov 2015 4:04pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17318

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Wild Card 90 wrote:
... Increased wear on the swivels, steering rods and wheel bearings ...


I challenge you to produce a shred of evidence that 30mm spacers added to otherwise the same wheels and tyres makes the slightest difference to any of those!

The difference produced by 30mm spacers is utterly negligible - a fat driver will have more effect on hub loadings!

There is of course also no difference in hub loadings between a 30mm spacer and a wheel with 30mm less offset.

My personal preference if you want spacers is to buy those manufactured by Rakeway. Not the cheapest, but you will have no quality issues and no balance or alignment issues with them.

And yes, they do allow your tyres to plaster the outside of your vehicle - and the inside if you have the window open - with crud!
Post #473536 17th Nov 2015 4:08pm
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DonH2000



Member Since: 12 Jan 2015
Location: North Kent
Posts: 551

United Kingdom 2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
I had some Rakeway 30mm spacers fitted to my Discovery 1 and I noticed not a lot of difference to daily driving. Looked good though!

Just a thing to note when Porsche launched their new 911 spider a few years ago that too was sold with spacers!!!! Makes you think! Cheers Don.
Post #473549 17th Nov 2015 4:41pm
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stew 46



Member Since: 26 Jan 2012
Location: Wadebridge ,cornwall .
Posts: 561

England 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Bonatti Grey
Got 30mm on my disco 3 , and they look and feel great Thumbs Up
Post #473558 17th Nov 2015 5:20pm
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JOW240725



Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7903

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
James (JST)

I should probably let mcmen have first dibs, but PM sent. Smile
Post #473565 17th Nov 2015 5:39pm
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fathaggis



Member Since: 31 May 2015
Location: taynuilt
Posts: 385

Scotland 
yes 30mm on my 90 and soon the 110 Thumbs Up
Post #473569 17th Nov 2015 5:45pm
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geobloke



Member Since: 06 Nov 2012
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 4410

United Kingdom 
Yes I have them on my 110 and had them on my previous 90. 10 years or so now with no bearing related issues. Not been through any more ball joints than expected neither.

What I will say is make sure they are tightened up to at least FT...

The improved turning circle on the 110 is worth the cost IMHO.
Post #473615 17th Nov 2015 7:35pm
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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3743

United Kingdom 
I would like them purely for looks.

2 things niggle me having them...


1) My insurance will go up around Ģ50 and given I only paid that to have a Brabus performance box of tricks on my last car it sounded quite a lot.

2) I'm not sure I read this right but if I decided to go on an off road day using my car some organizers don't allow then?
Post #473619 17th Nov 2015 7:44pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7986

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
point 2. AWDC hvae limitations on spacer widths - 25mm i believe. Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #473662 17th Nov 2015 8:42pm
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Pickles



Member Since: 26 May 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3780

Australia 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Keswick Green
Wouldn't use 'em on any car, ever.
They are illegal in Australia.
Spacers place more stress on all suspension componants, which is why they are illegal in Aus, & totally frowned upon by insurers.
Pickles.
Later!!!...Thought I'd better add,.....I know the situation in the UK is different, I know you guys have no such restrictions,.....I wonder why that is?


Last edited by Pickles on 17th Nov 2015 8:58pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #473669 17th Nov 2015 8:51pm
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Wild Card 90



Member Since: 03 Dec 2014
Location: Gerlingen
Posts: 1060

England 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver
blackwolf wrote:
Wild Card 90 wrote:
... Increased wear on the swivels, steering rods and wheel bearings ...


I challenge you to produce a shred of evidence that 30mm spacers added to otherwise the same wheels and tyres makes the slightest difference to any of those!


Happy to accept I have no evidence of shortened life of said components, and am clearly prepared to accept the additional wear if it does become apparent.
I didnīt have spacers on my TDi with Boosts, and replaced the track rod ends after about 50000 miles as the steering was getting a little sloppy. Did do quite a bit of wading around in the mud in that one.
So hereīs a couple of pics of mine, with said 7x16īs, 30mm spacers and 255/85īs.

Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge
 1998 Tdi 90 SW,
2008 Td4 90 SW,
2012 2.2 90 SW,
2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma
Heavy Track Raids, 255 MTīs,
Recaro CSīs, anorak, wellingtons
Post #473671 17th Nov 2015 8:51pm
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