The most common use for wheel spacers is when purchasing wheels that do not have the correct offset for your vehicle. Wheel spacers can provide the additional wheel-to-strut clearance needed. This practice is acceptable only when selecting a precision-machined, hub-centric spacer and when using the correct extended-length lug bolts. Porsche has offered a wheel spacer program for over 30 years, enabling Porsche owners to select a wider range of wheel widths, offsets and tire sizes.

You can improve you carÕs handling by simply widening the track of your vehicle. Widening the track will give you a more stable ride and improves your vehicles center of gravity. By spacing your wheels out to the maximum allowed by the fender width, you will also improve the cars appearance. For non-track applications the additional strut clearance may permit the use for wider tires.

Are spacers safe?: The H&R wheel spacers are all T.U.V. approved. This means that the material, hub centric design and extended bolts package are all safety tested and approved by GermanyÕs equivalent to our department of transportation and safety.

Do spacers effect wheel balance?: All H&R wheel spacers are hub centric. Sizes thicker than 8mm are also designed with extended center bores. The extended center bore will center your wheel exactly to the spacer and the extended center bore on the vehicle will center to the wheel spacer. On any performance wheel application with or without spacers, we only recommend high-speed, spin balancing on the vehicle. For increased-width and high-speed applications, there is no substitute for actual speed. As you increase the diameter and width of a tire, you also amplify the high-speed distortion. The Òon carÓ balancers balance the wheel assembly, brake rotor and hub, all as one rotating unit.

All BMW and Mini factory wheel bolts are 12mm diameter with a 32mm length. If you are not using spacers or using spacers up to 10mm, you need to select the 40mm studs. For spacers 15mm to 20mm use 50mm studs. For spacers 25mm and over, you will be supplied special bolts to mount the spacers to the hubs. The studs for these applications should then be 40mm. The studs and nuts are sold as individual items. Purchase enough studs and nuts for your model vehicle. A couple of extra lugs nuts to keep in your glove box is also a wise move.

What size spacer do I need? This depends on your tire/wheel size combination. With the vehicle parked on a flat, level area with the wheels pointing straight ahead, place a straight edge, from the ground to the top of the tire. Next, measure the distance from the outer tire edge to the inner edge of the fender lip. From this measurement deduct 3/8Ó (9.525mm). The remaining figure is your maximum recommended spacer thickness. Since tire widths vary from brand to brand we recommend allowing an additional _Ó (6.350mm) for future tire purchases. The front wheels may require additional clearance. Have someone sit in the driverÕs seat and turn the steering wheel from full left to full right lock. While this is occurring, watch for and measure the distance where the tire comes closest to contacting the front or rear of the fender opening. Confirm that this distance is no less than the determined spacer thickness. Metric equivalents based on 1 inch = 25.4mm