Wheel spacers... do they affect alignment?

[Crazified]

Here's a few questions:

1. If I want to add spacers to my car to bring the stock wheels out to "enhance" the appearance, will they screw up my alignment? Will I have to get it re-aligned? Can it be aligned properly?

2. What are the different sizes that are offered? At what "size" would I have to want to get ones that have their own lugs?

3. One front wheel sticks out further than the other. Is it ok to "mix up" spacer size on the left/right to bring the wheels into "balance"? (This question can relate back to question 1 of course!)

Thanks for the help!!

 

[mandrewz]

Say What?

1. Yes, it should be re-aligned.
2.????have Clue not question. what is
3. Has this car been in an accident? Wheels 'sticking out' on one side more than the other is not going to be 'fixed' by spacers, and is not a good thing.

 

[nsxtasy]

What are the different sizes that are offered?

There are lots of sizes available - as thin as 1/16", 1/8", and 3/16" on this site, and as thick as you want.

At what "size" would I have to want to get ones that have their own lugs?

You mean studs, not lugs. One rule of thumb that I have heard is that you should have at least six full turns to mount the lug nuts. You could try this on your own wheels, see how many full turns you have now, and measure the thickness of the threads that would reduce this number to six turns.

 

[spartan2-3]

I didnt have to realign my car after adding 25mm wheel adapters.

Drove it for over two and a half years and NOT have any problems (or uneven tire wear). I only realigned after the new Eibachs and Bilsteins.

good luck...

 

[NSXDreamer2]

if your car is not lowered, I'm not sure if pushing the wheels out is enhancing apperance... mine is with stock suspension and the wheel offset pushing the wheels flush with the fenders... I'm sure it'll look better if I lowered it, but as is, I HATE IT...

The eliminate of the shadow of the fender well made the car had a lifted truck look... Trust me on that.

 

[spartan2-3]

if your car is not lowered, I'm not sure if pushing the wheels out is enhancing apperance... mine is with stock suspension and the wheel offset pushing the wheels flush with the fenders... I'm sure it'll look better if I lowered it, but as is, I HATE IT...

The eliminate of the shadow of the fender well made the car had a lifted truck look... Trust me on that.

If you are running aftermarket wheels (17/18, 18/19) and NOT lowered then yes I would agree, the NSX would look like a 4X4. (due to the lower profile tires).

However if you had OEM Wheels/Tires (16/17) pushed out with spacers, it does not give the 4X4 image, (kind of like stock with wider tires). Im very particular about the fender gap and 4X4 image and I have to say "it looks very sharp when pushed out even if its NOT lowered".

Hopefully "Mickeylex" would post a before and after pictures of his OEM setup pushed out with 25mm adapters. Huge enhancement even if its NOT lowered.

PS my Avatar is on OEM setup with adapters and I dont think it looks like a 4X4

just my .02

 

[mickeylex]

spacers

I put my 25mm H&R wheel adapters on last night. The wheels look incredible. I'm no longer looking at getting aftermarket wheels since my stock wheels, when pushed out look so good now. I took some pictures. I'll try to post.

If you are worried about the lifted look, don't worry. Its not a problem. The car does not look lifted at all. It looks just right to me.

One issue I did find is that since my front tires are 225/40/16 instead of the stock 215/45/16 , they stick out just a bit past they front fender. The extra 10mm in tire width makes the front tire "bulge" out past the fender by about 3-5mm. I can tell that a 215 width tire would fit perfectly. Both fronts look the same, so its not a body misalingment issue. I'm planning on going with stock tires with the 215 width when my current tires wear out, so this should bring the tire back right to the edge of the fender. The rear tires fit perfect. I'm using 255/40/17 on the 17" rim on the rear.

 

[spartan2-3]

Congrats Nalesh, I know the feeling. I lived with that setup for nearly three years and loved it. If I were to do it all over again , I would do it in a heartbeat.

I switched to the Eibachs cause I wanted a lower, aggresive stance.

Did it feel like power steering all of a sudden
You dont need to lower the car with the setup you have.

Pls. post pictures.

ehhhemmmmm exhaust..

PS. Try the OEM Tires (Bridgestones RE010 or Yokos) day and night with aftermarket tires.
regards