Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

1.3" vs. 1.5" Wheelspacer Debate

Need new shoes? This is the place to discuss.

by Excell » Fri Nov 13, 2009 4:17 pm

Am I allowed to push this back on topic? :friday:

My aversion to the 1.3" spacers is similar to Roadie, it's not that the spacers have proven to be of low quality or poor workmanship, but it's a question of risk management. We've already covered the risk of grinding down the rear studs and verifying clearance and checking and re-checking torque, but I have a serious issue with their lack of a wheel-centric lip for properly aligning the wheel to the spacer. The average person may not know how carefully you need to work with the wheel to ensure it's aligned as closely as possible. I have seen misaligned wheels on much lighter and more nimble vehicles bust lugs, and in a few cases, cause serious accidents. Messing up your wheel installation isn't just a question of wheel vibration, it's exceedingly dangerous. No matter what, when you mod, you induce the risk of more danger - but a few changes to these spacers to make them more like Fred's would decrease the risk significantly.

Yes, all of these issues are a burden of the installer/user, but these risks are very dangerous for the average individual. For most of the crowd here these aren't issues, you're not average modders - you've done serious work and probably have learned the pain of incorrect installation in past and probably insignificant jobs. Many amateurs are coming onto the scene and looking at your rigs and want to duplicate your great work. The 1.3" spacer question is about those people.
User avatar
Excell
Cruiser
 
Posts: 48
Joined: Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:14 pm
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Vehicle Year: 2002
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD

by MrSmithsTB » Fri Nov 13, 2009 4:18 pm

Nobody ever can
back in the saddle
TB BUILD
User avatar
MrSmithsTB
Veteran
 
Posts: 1756
Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:28 pm
Location: EHT, NJ
Name: Bob
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: Other GMT360/370
DriveTrain: AWD w/ G80
Rank: Offroad Rated

by foosh » Fri Nov 13, 2009 4:43 pm

Oh as long as the ebay vendor uses the right made studs, then there shouldn't be a problem. Everyone should check there studs and be smart about it!
Only White Lifted TB in Jerzey on 33's :safari:

:flex dirty: Pine Barrens Wheelin!
Build Thread http://forums.offroadtb.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=113
User avatar
foosh
Addict
 
Posts: 715
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:01 pm
Location: Red Bank Area
Vehicle Year: 2004
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by Trail X » Fri Nov 13, 2009 5:42 pm

Excell wrote:Am I allowed to push this back on topic? :friday:


Cleaned up for ya... I doubt anyone minds me deleting the wandering thoughts.
8-) Build Thread | ExPo Build | YouTube Videos
Not all who wander are lost. -Tolkien
User avatar
Trail X
Founder
 
Posts: 9935
Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:22 pm
Location: VA, Roanoke
Name: James Downing
Vehicle Year: 2005
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Expedition Guide

by Philberto » Fri Nov 13, 2009 6:29 pm

Going with dynabeads in a month or so, so I'm not worried about extra vibration.



FWIW, I checked the spacers today. No signs of stretching or fatigue on the studs, and the blue loctite has held the self-centering nuts holding the spacers on at the same torque I used to put them on. Will sleep easier knowing I checked everything, however. 2 thumbs up :thumleft::thumright: for properly-installed eBay spacers!
My Build Thread | 2006 Trailblazer LS Desert Camping Edition **SOLD**
2013 Nissan Xterra S "ReXterra"
User avatar
Philberto
Lifer
 
Posts: 2046
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2009 5:30 pm
Location: CA, Oxnard
Name: Philip Cruz
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by foosh » Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:31 pm

Two thumbs up for not installing the spacers improperly, you didn't cut corners and everything works properly for you! Moral of the story = a product that is properly installed will most likely not break unless it has manufacturing defects. From any decent manufacturer defects are rare because if they sell that product and it breaks they will be liable under the right circumstances.
Only White Lifted TB in Jerzey on 33's :safari:

:flex dirty: Pine Barrens Wheelin!
Build Thread http://forums.offroadtb.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=113
User avatar
foosh
Addict
 
Posts: 715
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:01 pm
Location: Red Bank Area
Vehicle Year: 2004
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by Philberto » Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:28 pm

Interesting note, however... the ground-down studs (factory studs) have a layer of rust on the exposed areas... may look into clear-coating the ends one day.
My Build Thread | 2006 Trailblazer LS Desert Camping Edition **SOLD**
2013 Nissan Xterra S "ReXterra"
User avatar
Philberto
Lifer
 
Posts: 2046
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2009 5:30 pm
Location: CA, Oxnard
Name: Philip Cruz
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by foosh » Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:30 pm

Yeah... thats no bueno. You should put some kinda protective coating on them, at least a rust inhibitor of some sort.
Only White Lifted TB in Jerzey on 33's :safari:

:flex dirty: Pine Barrens Wheelin!
Build Thread http://forums.offroadtb.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=113
User avatar
foosh
Addict
 
Posts: 715
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:01 pm
Location: Red Bank Area
Vehicle Year: 2004
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by Philberto » Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:05 pm

foosh wrote:Yeah... thats no bueno. You should put some kinda protective coating on them, at least a rust inhibitor of some sort.


Well, we don't have the rust issues you guys in the salty-road states do. :P So I think it'll be fine for now. I'll definitely take care of it at the next oil change tho.
My Build Thread | 2006 Trailblazer LS Desert Camping Edition **SOLD**
2013 Nissan Xterra S "ReXterra"
User avatar
Philberto
Lifer
 
Posts: 2046
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2009 5:30 pm
Location: CA, Oxnard
Name: Philip Cruz
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by foosh » Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:33 pm

Why next oil change? It shouldn't take very long just spend an hour doing it and rotate the tires too.
Only White Lifted TB in Jerzey on 33's :safari:

:flex dirty: Pine Barrens Wheelin!
Build Thread http://forums.offroadtb.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=113
User avatar
foosh
Addict
 
Posts: 715
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:01 pm
Location: Red Bank Area
Vehicle Year: 2004
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by Philberto » Mon Nov 16, 2009 11:23 pm

foosh wrote:Why next oil change? It shouldn't take very long just spend an hour doing it and rotate the tires too.


Main reason being that I do everything on a lift at my work, and free time there in the shop doesn't come that often. Also, last time I took the spacers off (a few days ago) I had some wd40 and just sprayed them up after cleaning them off. it was all literally surface oxidation, so not that worried.
My Build Thread | 2006 Trailblazer LS Desert Camping Edition **SOLD**
2013 Nissan Xterra S "ReXterra"
User avatar
Philberto
Lifer
 
Posts: 2046
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2009 5:30 pm
Location: CA, Oxnard
Name: Philip Cruz
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

Previous

Return to Wheels / Tires