16 replies to this topic

[lidzvx]

Currently my vx has team dynamics 17" and 16" wheels on. But on the front it has a pair of 9-10mm spacers. I'm currently setting my geo to the best it can be (don't want to get into that) and I'm looking for reasons other than asthetics to have the spacers on. I have tried the wheels without the spacers and they fit fine and don't rub. My geo guy says they can drastically affect his readings if not essential. So basically my question is do the spacers improve the handling by widening the track or are they just for looks? If it makes no difference / makes handling worse there going in the bin!

[dylan390]

Bin

[lidzvx]

Ok. Any idea why?

[Nev]

In short you are best removing the spacers. Spacers cause the centre of steering rotation of the tyre to be offset from the lower ball joint. This will affect how the car "feels" when turning, and affects its geometry to some minor extent when turning the wheel. There are probably some other effects too that I am unaware of. For background info, normally most cars have the ball joint somewhere near the centre line of the tyre for obvious reasons, however I was measuring mine only last weekend, and I think the VX220 as standard has an offset towards the inboard side of the wheel. The same issue is caused by modification of ET offset of the wheels, which as yours are after market are likely to change things too.

[Mopeytitan]

As far as I was aware the only people that may need spacers are those of us with ATS's?... I don't have any on and I only get rubbing on front on full lock.

[lidzvx]

Thanks guys. So in short it will change the geo in an unpredictable way so it's best to remove them? Also while I'm here. Anyone know how much 1mm of washer will affect the caster? Drivers side is spot on but passenger side is about 2 deg out. I've found which way I need to adjust the arm but not found by how much. Was hoping to find something simple like the camber shims. Ie 1mm = 0.3 deg. Is it that simple or does it have to be done at an alignment place?

[rueda]

[font="arial, sans-serif;"][font="arial;"]It upset the offset that the the pivot of the suspension makes with the wheel axis (at the ground) which is really important for the handling feeling (look picture below). Lotus have calculated it, so using spacers will make the feeling worst[/font][/font][color=#808080;][font="arial, sans-serif;"][font="arial;"]. It is generally around 15mm for a sport car so with a 10mm spacer you’ll get near than twice of it ![/color][/font][/font]

[color=#808080;][font="arial, sans-serif;"][font="arial;"](sorry for my explanation,as I’m french, perhaps it is not really clear) [/color][/font][/font]

[Nev]

I guess the most noticeable thing is that at low speeds the steering will be harder to turn when you have spacers in (or when the non OEM wheel ET is more outboard offset).

[lidzvx]

Great thanks for the info. Spacers are going in the bin. Just need to find out how much to adjust the castor by to get the extra 1.2 degrees castor I need to match the in spec divers wheel. Is it as simple as 1mm washer = 1 degree of castor

[lidzvx]

Not to worry iv found it. 1.5mm washer = 0.4 degrees movement on the caster. Front of car to increase. Rear of car to decrease.

[chappers2000]

Don't we need to know what offset your team dynamics are? - I assume everyone is just assuming they are the correct ET+ as standard rather than et+35 or something? I've got 16mm spacers on mine but that's just because the front wheels are et+41 and so correct the offset.

[lidzvx]

How do I find out what mine are?

[chappers2000]

From a quick search, it looks like the et+?? number should be apparently be stamped on the inner lip of the outer edge of the of the wheel rim( just "under" where the words "TEAM DYNAMICS MOTORSPORT" are printed and where the spokes make contact with the edge of the rim) on a small flat "plate". Can't remember if they are et+20 or et+26. If someone bought some cheap et+35 for example then I'd keep the spacers personally.

Edited by chappers2000, 06 May 2015 - 11:42 AM.

[lidzvx]

I'll have a look later as I have no idea as they came with the car. Thanks

[lidzvx]

Seems I have et35 wheels on the front. So your saying keep the spacers?

[chappers2000]

I think most get the proper +26 offset on the front when buying team dynamics. For yours, a 9mm spacer will reduce your offset from et+35mm to et+26mm, so yes,I'd keep the spacers. I guess you have longer wheel bolts already due to the spacer?

[lidzvx]

Yeah I already have the longer bolts. I'll leave it as is then. Thanks for your help 😎