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I got some Adaptec wheel spacers for Christmas - 5mm front and 10mm rear. I installed them mid-January and (eventually) noticed some vibration at higher speeds (90ish). Did some searching on this and other forums and nothing jumped out until one post in a similar thread reminded me of something that I heard at one of the PCA tech sessions that I went to last year.
One of the club racers was talking about suspension, brakes, etc. when he pointed out that you should always remount tires with two wheel alignment tools (if you don't have studs). I've always used one (which is much easier than none), but it made sense. I gave using two a shot and not only was the high speed vibration cleared up, the overall smoothness of the ride has noticeably improved. Lesson learned.
"One of the club racers was talking about suspension, brakes, etc. when he pointed out that you should always remount tires with two wheel alignment tools (if you don't have studs)."
I have never heard this and I have no idea what you are talking about. I no I am of no help and a novice but I always just used a torque wrench. What alignment tools are you referring too, thanks?
It's the item in your spare tire tool kit that simply screws into the hub and allows you get your wheel mounted without having to hold the tire up while installing the lug bolts. His recommendation was to use two (he demonstrated by having them in adjacent lug holes).
I think the way your describing the alignment tool is throwing people off. Pictures are more helpful.
You screw them in, slide the wheel on, and it makes mounting the wheel a bit easier. No need for balancing the wheel on the hub while you try to thread the first bolt in. Extremely useful since you don't have to balance a spacer on the bolt as well.
I think the way your describing the alignment tool is throwing people off. Pictures are more helpful.
You screw them in, slide the wheel on, and it makes mounting the wheel a bit easier. No need for balancing the wheel on the hub while you try to thread the first bolt in. Extremely useful since you don't have to balance a spacer on the bolt as well.
Exactly! I was in a hurry and should have slowed down to elaborate. Thanks for chiming in
every lug nut or bolt (in the world) has cone or ball seat. thats how they are made. Some wheels are centered by the bolts, some are centered by the hub- HUBCENTRIC
Perhaps one of the spacers was not fully seated. Very possible if there was rust/corrosion around the centering ring in the hub. The removal and reinstall with the guide lugs may have properly seated the spacer. Just an idea.
Perhaps one of the spacers was not fully seated. Very possible if there was rust/corrosion around the centering ring in the hub. The removal and reinstall with the guide lugs may have properly seated the spacer. Just an idea.
That's my current theory, although rust/debris isn't likely to be the issue, at least in this case. Prior to the initial installation I got after it pretty good with a wire brush and some brake clean. These spacers were hubcentric, too, but there is still a fair bit of side to side play.
The play in the spacers is what threw your tires off balance. My previous 996 had some cheap universal spacers installed by the PO and no matter how hard you would try those darn thing were impossible to get centered due to the play and i would also get vibration at freeway speeds. Cured the problem soon as i got rid of those. If you dont have the right spacers with the right lug bolts it can get pretty dangerous and nasty on cornering at high speeds.
01-31-2016, 02:20 PM
Wheel Spacer Problem
