Mk5 wheel spacer question...

[RedRobin]

I'm asking it here because you .:R guys (and gals) seem to do such mods more than the GTI boys (no gals amongst us).

Would you be kind enough to tell me the advantages/pros/cons/why do it, etc please - Thanx in advance .

My suspension is KoniFSD+Eibach springs which only drop the car 5-10mm absolute max. I also have AP Racing brake kit on fronts only. Also Eibach ARBs but that shouldn't be a factor I assume.

[petsy]

is this a wheel spacer you're refering to RR?

[RedRobin]

....Yes, a wheel spacer - Thanks for pointing that out .

[petsy]

the wheel spacers will give the car a wider track stance leading to better cornering performance.

the downside is using the spacers does alter the normal stress pattern on the axle but provided you don't go crazy with spacer size it shouldn't really matter.

[RedRobin]

Cheers, petsy

I haven't investigated the range of spacer sizes or types yet but vaguely recall (it's an age thing!) rs32 posting some good info somewhere. I'll see him at next weekend's meet anyway. I certainly wouldn't want to overdo any axle stresses.

[zharca]

..but spacers also move the contact patch centreline from the correct position for the suspension and steering geometry, which makes the car handle and perform worse.

Exactly the same as having the wrong offset wheels fitted.

With the steering axis intersection (basically the notional extension of the "kingpin" centreline) in the wrong place, steering goes to pot, torque steer increases and the scrub radius increases in direct proportion to the offset. This would actually reduce your contact patch as the suspenion loaded up.

Increased track may help ultimate cornering, but only if the geometry's altered as well.

[RedRobin]

....Sounds not worth mucking about with! Thanks for the info .

[jimmyp]

I run the H&R spacers, 15mm rear and 10 front, only because the .:R looks so much better with them fitted and even more so now the car is sitting low thanks to the v3'S. I will say when i first had them fitted the car was a little unstable at very high speed, since the v3's have been on and tinkered as well as other bits i haven't noticed this as much.

HTH Robin

[rs32]

whatever spacers you use must be hub-centric. this is to make sure the force bewteen the hub and wheel is evenly distributed - reducing concerns over stressing the axles etc.

On the MkV R32 I found that the tyre rubbed when fitting 10mm spacers on the standard shocks/springs setup. Only touched on heavy bumps and wallowy roads - but still a problem. Robin - with your current setup it would not be an issue as you have far less suspension travel and a lighter car to start with.

The car definitely looks better - but I wasn;t prepared to live with the possibility of rubbing tyres on the R32. MkIV not an issue as the suspension is stiffer.

[RedRobin]

Thanks Rich . Methinks I'll have a chat with Ray West, particularly as he did my suspension mods for me. To be honest I'm investigating it primarily from a looks point of view but not if it seriously compromises. Any benefits are a good bonus and would tip the balance of my decision. I don't track the car so it's hardly critical.

[JaminBen]

While scrub radius will be altered, staying with a 10mm spacer won't throw your handling to the weeds... Really, I've used spacers and "wrong offset" wheels, with no ill effects...

As was said, make sure you go with hub-centric spacers and correct bolts.