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Old 10-22-2009, 07:25 AM   #1
psegs80
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Default Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

I just purchase a new race car, an EP3, and it came with 2" front spacers and 1" rear spacers...I have herd that to much is harderon wheel bearings but apart from this, is there any other reason that a wider wheel base is bad???

I got to try out the EP3 at one event and 2 track days and it was pretty stable on high speed corners!!
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Old 10-22-2009, 07:39 AM   #2
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

Not a problem at all
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Old 10-22-2009, 08:10 AM   #3
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

I have an inconsistant brake pedal and I was told it was most likely due to the wheel bearing causing the calipers to open up...the spacers would be stressing the bearings???
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Old 10-22-2009, 08:34 AM   #4
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

they shouldn't unless ur wheel bearings are already bad..
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Old 10-22-2009, 09:27 AM   #5
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

Nice looking EG!!!!

I think wheel spacers can add a lot of stress to the wheel bearings. I use them and i go through wheel bearings on a regular basis, just be carefull. Spacers are a great tuning tool
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Old 10-22-2009, 11:42 AM   #6
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

Re; bad pedal:

What kind of calipers do you have?

I'm inclined to say that the issue is much more likely to be a bad hub/ wheel bearing. Then a spacer adding stress and causing the flexing.

Spacers are, in a way, just like running a low offset wheel.

We've always ran spacers, and never had a problem with them. On the 06 si we ran something like 1.5 inchs of spacers up front, for 25 hours... Not a problem.

If you run the 88-91 crx/civic or 92-00 cx/dx/vx/hx upright you will go through hubs/bearings. Much more frequently then the bigger upright.
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Old 10-22-2009, 12:05 PM   #7
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

Quote:
Originally Posted by slammed_93_hatch View Post
Re; bad pedal:

What kind of calipers do you have?

I'm inclined to say that the issue is much more likely to be a bad hub/ wheel bearing. Then a spacer adding stress and causing the flexing.

Spacers are, in a way, just like running a low offset wheel.

We've always ran spacers, and never had a problem with them. On the 06 si we ran something like 1.5 inchs of spacers up front, for 25 hours... Not a problem.

If you run the 88-91 crx/civic or 92-00 cx/dx/vx/hx upright you will go through hubs/bearings. Much more frequently then the bigger upright.
When bearings go bad, do you guys generally recommend OEM Honda or an OE replacement? Iv been experiencing inconsistent brake pedal feel and Jeremy thought it could have been wheel bearings or pad knock back...
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Last edited by .:Made in OC:.; 10-22-2009 at 01:08 PM.
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Old 10-22-2009, 12:33 PM   #8
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

Honda don't make bearings, they use KOYO and NTN...I use them with great durability, and I get them from any local part store for much less than @ the dealer.

Concerning the EP3.....nice buy !!!!!!
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Old 10-22-2009, 01:31 PM   #9
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

^Good to know, thanks for sharing. Even with NASA club discounts those things are expensive, how much did they run you at the parts store if you don't me asking?
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Old 10-22-2009, 08:29 PM   #10
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

I think they are around 40 to 50, not 100% sure on that.
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Old 10-23-2009, 04:03 AM   #11
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

Quote:
Originally Posted by slammed_93_hatch View Post
I think they are around 40 to 50, not 100% sure on that.
I just replaced the front bearings on my EJ1 with Timkins from Autozone, and I think they were about 30 per.
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Old 10-23-2009, 07:47 AM   #12
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

What about Moog bearings?

Does anyone have a ntn or koyo bearing number for a 89 crx?
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Old 10-23-2009, 08:33 AM   #13
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

Quote:
Originally Posted by .:Made in OC:. View Post
When bearings go bad, do you guys generally recommend OEM Honda or an OE replacement? Iv been experiencing inconsistent brake pedal feel and Jeremy thought it could have been wheel bearings or pad knock back...
knock back, with stock rotor and caliper... that is an issue with the braking system, or with the hub/bearing.
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Old 10-23-2009, 08:55 AM   #14
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

Quote:
Originally Posted by psegs80 View Post
I just purchase a new race car, an EP3, and it came with 2" front spacers and 1" rear spacers...I have herd that to much is harderon wheel bearings but apart from this, is there any other reason that a wider wheel base is bad???

I got to try out the EP3 at one event and 2 track days and it was pretty stable on high speed corners!!
Thick spacers or low offset wheels increase the scrub radius. It's not a "bad thing" per se, just something that affects the driving and turn-in feel and the driver needs to get used to it.

Besides that, spacers retard the motion ratio, making your suspension effectively softer. Again it's not something "bad", just needs to be accommodated by adjusting the spring rates.
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Old 10-23-2009, 12:05 PM   #15
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

So I guess it affects the steering acrenum!!!

I Have 700lbs front and 1200lbs rear and I notice that my front was little on the soft side...keep in mind I have to run 205-15-50
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Old 10-24-2009, 01:13 PM   #16
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

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Originally Posted by JuanTushag View Post
Nice looking EG!!!!



lol
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Old 10-27-2009, 12:44 AM   #17
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

^^^ I was wondering if anyone was going to say anyting haha
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Old 10-27-2009, 03:20 AM   #18
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wai View Post

Besides that, spacers retard the motion ratio, making your suspension effectively softer.
I think it only softens the suspension very very slightly due to camber curve, not motion ratio.
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Old 10-27-2009, 11:28 AM   #19
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

Quote:
Originally Posted by beanbag View Post
I think it only softens the suspension very very slightly due to camber curve, not motion ratio.
IF you move the wheel out further, you are increasing the length of the "lever arm".

That will reduce the motion ratio.


Correct?
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Old 10-27-2009, 12:58 PM   #20
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

Quote:
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IF you move the wheel out further, you are increasing the length of the "lever arm".

That will reduce the motion ratio.


Correct?
The "lever arm" does not increase because there is a pivot at the lower ball joint. If the camber curve is zero (knuckle stays exactly level through the suspension travel), then extra wheel offset won't affect wheel rate.
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Old 10-27-2009, 02:26 PM   #21
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

Quote:
Originally Posted by beanbag View Post
The "lever arm" does not increase because there is a pivot at the lower ball joint. If the camber curve is zero (knuckle stays exactly level through the suspension travel), then extra wheel offset won't affect wheel rate.
The lateral length from the balljoint to the center of the tire's contact patch, is part of the LCA length, as far as leverage is concerned, and does affect the motion ratio.

At least, that's how I've read it, and it makes sense to me.
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Old 10-27-2009, 02:49 PM   #22
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

Yes, if the center of the tire's contact patch moves further from the inner pivot as well as the shock attachment point on the LCA (fulcrum), then the leverage ratio will change.
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Old 10-28-2009, 12:43 PM   #23
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

Car is looking good. Shouldn't be a problem if your bearings are still good. The Wider the better basically is what i do
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Old 10-29-2009, 05:34 AM   #24
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

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Car is looking good. Shouldn't be a problem if your bearings are still good. The Wider the better basically is what i do
thats what pontiac says lol.
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Old 10-29-2009, 08:21 AM   #25
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Default Re: Wheel spacers: when are they to much?

Good to know I wasn't just dreaming. I run a set of 1" spacers in the front of my car and always swore that the front end felt so much more planted. I originally did it for looks but after my first run I was loving how good the car felt.
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