458 - What is the purpose of wheel spacers? | FerrariChat

458 What is the purpose of wheel spacers?

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by FerrariCognoscenti, Sep 15, 2021.

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  1. FerrariCognoscenti

    FerrariCognoscenti Formula 3

    Jan 19, 2021
    2,429
    East Coast
    I keep seeing wheel spacers available for sale for the 458. What exactly is the purpose of wheel spacers? Do they have any performance function or are they just for looks to give a better looking stance?

    What are the recommended wheel spacers sizes for improved performance and looks?


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  2. DiamondDog

    DiamondDog Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Aug 29, 2021
    1,158
    Orange County, CA

    It's mostly for looks. Personally I have a hard time seeing the difference and seeing the "wow that looks so much better" factor. Maybe someone could make it clearer with pictures and explanation?
     
  3. Tony91505

    Tony91505 Formula Junior

    Apr 13, 2005
    416
    So cal
    Full Name:
    Tony
    Well, they are a good way of destroying your wheel bearings. Also, they may mess with the geometry of the suspension etc. I would buy a custom wheel if possible and avoid the spacers altogether. Many people seem to use without care.
     
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  4. RoadRonin

    RoadRonin Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    May 18, 2020
    369
    San Francisco
    Agreed that custom wheels with the proper width and offset are a better option if one wants to do away with the inset look and achieve a more flush stance. That said, manufacturers like Porsche have offered 5mm spacers as a factory option.
     
  5. PMiranda

    PMiranda Formula Junior

    Jul 23, 2004
    574
    Austin, TX
    It increases the track of the car. If you do it more in the front than the back, it will make the car less stable. If you do it right, the car will roll less in side load, increasing the amount of cornering force available. As pointed out, it comes at the cost of increased stress on the wheel bearings.
     
  6. FFan5

    FFan5 Formula Junior

    Jul 7, 2018
    533
    I've seen some 458's that are tastefully lowered with custom wheels that are flush with the panels. It really does look great in person. However, I like going over speed bumps and using stock wheels. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
     
  7. Il Co-Pilota

    Il Co-Pilota F1 Veteran

    May 29, 2019
    6,023
    Hopefully some place nice.
    Full Name:
    A.B
    As the track is widened, that effectively puts a greater load on the tyre during cornering. It also has,an effect similar to softening the sway bars a bit. This is why if you install thicker spacers in the rear, you get mkre understeer WHICH YOU DON'T WANT! I installed Hill 11 mm spacers on all four coroners on the Pista and she really likes that. Note that I had the car on the alignment rack when doing that, so everything was set properly.

    Yes it is true that widening the track will put more load on your bearings and ball joints. This is the case whether you run spacers or a lower offset. If spacers are manufactured and used correctly, they load the hub the same way as a low offset wheel does. When a wheel is clamped on to the hub, the load is carried by the concentric hub of the wheel and spindle, not the bolts. If a spacer fits properly, it transfers the load to the spindle just like a low offset wheel does. For this reason I only, and I do mean ONLY use Hill spacers. To this day I have never seen anything fit as well. It's always a joy to put two metal pieces together and it just goes "click".

    Now as far as fitment go, 11 mm is about as wide as you can go in the front without rubbing. Some get away with 15 mm, but it really depends on the stance. Especially if the car is lowered, it can cause,an issue, as the caster moves the wheel back as the car is lowered. This can cause the wheel to run on the rear portion of the liner.

    So 11 mm on all four corners for performance, and a staggered set for looks, especially if it's a 15/20 set.

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  8. wthensler

    wthensler F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 27, 2015
    3,150
    Gator Country, FL
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    William
    I’m doing 11/15s and Novitec springs to give less roll on twisty roads. I don’t want to lower it too much.

    I’ve pretty much run out of things to do on the 458 after this change.

    If I don’t like it I’ll revert back to stock. Everything I’ve done is reversible.
     
  9. Chizz

    Chizz Formula Junior
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 21, 2017
    995
    Atlanta
    absolute best response I’ve seen on spacers. I’ve always put them on my 911s. Esthetically I think it looks better filling the wheel well.
     
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  10. FerrariCognoscenti

    FerrariCognoscenti Formula 3

    Jan 19, 2021
    2,429
    East Coast
    Interesting. Thanks guys. Will avoid spacers for now.


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  11. Corradosv

    Corradosv Karting

    Oct 17, 2016
    194
    Monaco MC
    Well... from the car dynamics point of view there is no doubt that wider tracks will make a car turn faster.
    This, of course, doesn't mean that adding spacers to an existing car is necessarily a good idea, as there are downsides to it (and, of course, smaller offset wheels would have the same geometry effect in a better engineering way, but still with some residual downside).
    As for myself I purchased my 458 as second-hand and asked the dealer to remove the existing spacers before even delivering it, which tells my opinion but... truth to be told: has anybody here ever had bearing issues that have been positively caused by adding wheel spacers in their own experience (not told stories)? I am just curious...
     
  12. Il Co-Pilota

    Il Co-Pilota F1 Veteran

    May 29, 2019
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    Never. Here's the thing. The Italia, Speciale, 488, Pista,F8 and other Ferraris such as the Lusso share bearings. Just goes to show what these bearings are capable of. The rear bearing used in the 560 hp 458 with ET 57 mm, is the same bearing supporting the 720 hp F8 with an ET of 38 mm. The front bearing supporting the 458 with an offset of 48 mm is also the bearing that supports the heavier 599 GTO with an offset of about 38 mm.

    It's also the same bearing standing up to abuse in the 488 Challenge which runs a camber that loads the bearing much harder.

    Will spacers hurt a 458? No. Only if the product used is not up to snuff.



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  13. KZEVO

    KZEVO Karting

    Jul 25, 2021
    129
    This is a great discussion. I am on the fence about lowering the car and adding spacers or new wheels. Interested in hearing if others have had any negative experiences. I have not heard of hill spacers but will chwck those out. I was thinking novitec spacers and springs.
     
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  14. GT2goneF

    GT2goneF F1 Rookie

    May 28, 2020
    2,861
    Southern California
    You are ridiculously smart. Thanks for your always valuable input. I always thought that spacers were an overall bad idea. Hence, I would have never nor have I bought spacers. For F8, had custom wheels installed. Regardless, I think, it is always the safest option to go with a custom wheel than spacer. Logic tells me that fewer parts between axle and wheel is mechanically safer and more sound.
     
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  15. FerrariCognoscenti

    FerrariCognoscenti Formula 3

    Jan 19, 2021
    2,429
    East Coast
    Thanks for this insight. While it seems bearings will be okay and unaffected, what are your thoughts on spacers causing increased load on ball joints?


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  16. Corradosv

    Corradosv Karting

    Oct 17, 2016
    194
    Monaco MC
    This is what I thought too, based on my personal experience of never having seen a single issue caused by spacers in my life.
    The real issues to me are added weight (in general, and when compared to a smaller offset wheel), wheel arches scrubbing (when excessive), increased chance of kerbing, and possibly the chance of negatively affecting the handling if wrong/unbalanced sizes (the default being improving it).
     
  17. michaelo

    michaelo Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 25, 2006
    350
    Tn.
    Full Name:
    Michael O.
    I just removed the spacers on my 458.
    While they slightly improved the stance, I got tired of all the junk the front tires sprayed on the bodywork.
     
  18. Jason B

    Jason B Formula Junior

    Apr 7, 2006
    397
    Hbg, PA

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