Wheel Spacers....???WTF???

[markmdz89hatch]

..yeah, so I just put the new 17's on, and they're way off balance.

...so I go down to the local TownFairTire, and ask the guy to get them balanced, and mentioned that they were just put on and are way off b. He's like, "did you put on the wheel spacers?" I'm like, "I'd be able to answer you better if I knew what the f'b'luck you were talking about." He breaks out these little rubber/plastic rings, and says "these". "Ur wheels will never be balanced without these" Now I know that he's somewhat full of shit b/c that's the first I've heard of that, but the Q is, what the hell are they good for? Should I have 'em?

[ACCORD EX]

MIKE

[dXsquared]

??
Travis

[pearldrop]

If they were little plastic rings that slipped into the middle of the wheel then they were hubcentric rings. I have had wheels with them and without them and never "really" noticed a difference.

[YK86]

I thought the same thing as Pearldrop. I had some for my first set of rims (the ones that are now on the 88). Mine got squashed so I threw them away but thew wheel shop said it helps center the rim on the hub and is supposed to reduce some of the shaking you get when it's on the car. And I guess it helps center the rim on the balancer too.

[jigga225]

yeh I had some wit my sears Z racin rims,
but not on my blades tho.

I come thru they be like man look at him
its a shame when I squat down, I'm as big as my rims

[markmdz89hatch]

pearldrop \
YK86 / Yeah, you guys got it right on the button. That's exactly what it is. You guys said that it helps prevent shaking? Maybe that's my issue, I just put a set of used 17's on the hatch, and the s'umm'a biatch shakes like there's no tomorrow as soon as I hit speeds near 50-55mph. I can't figure it out, I just had the wheels balanced, and the shake was there before, and still there after. WTF is wrong? I really cannot go over 55 or I'm afraid that I'll be putting my life in danger. I really have no idea here, and would gladly take any advice. Now, one more thing is that I'm almost 100% positive that the wheels are straight b/c there's not even so much as a scratch on any of the wheels.

[Jims 86LXI HB]

Originally posted by markmdz89hatch
pearldrop \
YK86 / Yeah, you guys got it right on the button. That's exactly what it is. You guys said that it helps prevent shaking? Maybe that's my issue, I just put a set of used 17's on the hatch, and the s'umm'a biatch shakes like there's no tomorrow as soon as I hit speeds near 50-55mph. I can't figure it out, I just had the wheels balanced, and the shake was there before, and still there after. WTF is wrong? I really cannot go over 55 or I'm afraid that I'll be putting my life in danger. I really have no idea here, and would gladly take any advice. Now, one more thing is that I'm almost 100% positive that the wheels are straight b/c there's not even so much as a scratch on any of the wheels.

Put the car on jack stands and spin each rim/tire like mad and watch them to make double sure. Maybe they were refinished after being in a accident. Those 35mm rims I restored. I was having them rebalanced cause I had a bad shake at 60mph to 75mph and I was watching the guy balance one of them and my eyes bugged out as I watched it shimy side to side. I knew what was wrong and ordered new rims like I should have done in the first place. Leason learned. $165 and about 10hours per rim to restore:pissed:

[Coroncho80]

Originally posted by markmdz89hatch
pearldrop \
YK86 / Yeah, you guys got it right on the button. That's exactly what it is. You guys said that it helps prevent shaking? Maybe that's my issue, I just put a set of used 17's on the hatch, and the s'umm'a biatch shakes like there's no tomorrow as soon as I hit speeds near 50-55mph. I can't figure it out, I just had the wheels balanced, and the shake was there before, and still there after. WTF is wrong? I really cannot go over 55 or I'm afraid that I'll be putting my life in danger. I really have no idea here, and would gladly take any advice. Now, one more thing is that I'm almost 100% positive that the wheels are straight b/c there's not even so much as a scratch on any of the wheels.

buy a new car! :lol

[Coroncho80]

actually, I don't know shit about that topic, so, i should shut the hell up and get out of here! :lol
Mark, you know I like your Hoopty.......... i mean hatch.

[HostileJava]

I used them on my 16" konigs and they seem to ride like my stock wheels(vibration wise). Never tried using them without the inserts.

[whiteboy]

hey
when i had my 16' chrome with 204/40 put back on they shook when i drove over 60, turned out my left rear ball joint was bad and hadda get it replaced, sold that one and bought another 3 g lol

Jordan

[markmdz89hatch]

hey jordan,
did the car shake like that with the wheels that you had on just before you put the 16's back on?

[whiteboy]

nope - i noticed it right after, but the wheel also hada little bit of side to side play when the car was parked. like u could step against the tire and push it underneath the car 1/4"-1/2" so give that a try, good luck n let us know

Jordan

[da6integra]

Got pics of your ride on the rims yet???

[markmdz89hatch]

alright, that last comment pissed me off! Dude, you've got 3 posts so far, and you're already associating my car with RICE!!!??? j/k. Nope, no pics yet, but as soon as I can drive over 50mph. I can get to my friends house (he has a digi cam) and snap a few to post.