Wheel spacers - are they safe?

[yorkie]

Went to fit new front pads today only to discover that the wheels would no longer turn as they foul on the calipers.

I guess I must have been sold wheels with the wrong offset but as that was 18 months ago I don't think I would have much luck complaining.

Currently running round with new pads inboard and the old ones on the outside.

I guess I now have two choices, either have the new outer pads milled down until they fit or fit wheel spacers.

Having had a very bad experience in my youth when a front wheel spacer shattered on my Mini Cooper leading to detachment of front wheel and serious Brown trouser moment I am reluctant to go down this route.

I have seen posts on here about fitting spacers and am guessing (hoping) that they are not the flimsy things they used to be.

Has anyone experienced problems with them and could someone suggest a suitable supplier/make?

Cheers

[dubwhizz]

the wheels shouldnt foul on the calipers today if they didnt yesterday. at no point in changing the pads do you adjust where the calipers sit. you adjust the piston inside the caliper to allow deeper pads. unless S4's run some crazy floating caliper arrangement I've never seen...

spacers are fine. the TUV approve german made ones so make sure you go for a german flavour and you're laughing. I know the guy who runs g-werks and he sells the best spacers for reasonable money. tell him shofty sent you end of shameless plug.

Matt

[Stigter]

I waited a very very long time for H&R spacers from the above not shamelessly plugged company.
Phone call after call - got the spacers then they didn't send the longer bolts ordered. More phone calls, gave up on the company and bought some from Phil Walker - here next day.

[imolas4uk]

audi s4`s do have floating calipers

[yorkie]

S4 calipers are floating, put thicker (new) pads in outside and caliper moves out by thickness of pads so removing old 7mm thick (including back plate) pads and installing new 15mm thick pads moves caliper out towards inside of wheel by 8mm which fouls.

I know Phil posts on here sometimes, I need some spacers please if you read this.

Cheers

[AdamS4]

I'm running 5mm H&R spacers on the front with no problems

[yorkie]

Cheers, where did you get them from?

[mikeyquattro]

http://rs246.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB ... ic&t=71686

Ring Philip. Nice bloke

[dubwhizz]

seems best to ignore everything i said above about the calipers. i threatedned to have looked at the brakes too!!! apologies all.

Matt

[Siena]

Wheel spacers are safe.

Porsche has had them for over 25 years as OEM fitting at the rear of the 911.
Today, they're supplied to Porsche by H&R or BBS.

[Virdee Autos]

Yep was working on a Porsche today, and saw that it had spacers at the front (3/5mm probably), and genuine porsche ones, with a part#. Excellent quality.

[yorkie]

Just finding some hubcentric ones which don't make the wheels stick out too far seems to be the problem. I don't want to be driving round looking like an extra from Mad Max!

I spoke to Phil, he is going to see what he can sort out tomorrow and you're right - he is a nice bloke.

Cheers

[PretendPorsche]

I waited a very very long time for H&R spacers from the above not shamelessly plugged company.
Phone call after call - got the spacers then they didn't send the longer bolts ordered. More phone calls, gave up on the company and bought some from Phil Walker - here next day.

Old post i know, but i just wanted to point out that G-werks is a very reputable company, and it is more than unfortunate that you experienced problems with them in the past.

Having used them for the past two years, for all my VAG vehicles, i would say that this was an isolated issue, and im sure if it had been brought to the owners attention at the time, would have been rectified quickly.

[philipwalker]

Thanks for the mention.

I carry in stock 2 sizes of hubcentric spacers OEM wheels 10mm and 15mm, top quality with a black anodized finish.
I also have a Genuine BBS produced 12mm spacer for aftermarket BBS wheels.

Longer bolts to suit radius or 60 deg taper seat wheels are available from stock.



Please call for details.

Philip
PW Motorsport Ltd
01437 563793