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Wheel Spacer Help

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Old Apr 20, 2016 | 07:58 AM
  #1  
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Default Wheel Spacer Help

Noob here ... I know what the solution is ... But was wondering if anyone else has had this issue ... I was changing the rear brakes today, and of course removing the wheels to do so. I have 295/70/17s on stock wheels running spacers for clearance. When removing one of the back lug nuts the nut started catching on the threads upon removal, of course, I didn't force it and tried to gently remove it, but the dang thing WAS NOT cooperating. I was tempted to screw it back on, order new spacers, and deal with it but noticed that the stud was actually warped (bent) a little. I AM NOT PLAYING AROUND WITH SPACERS so I removed it with force and am now in the process of replacing the spacers. I did not put them on, the previous owner had it done at a Rough Country dealer so I don't know what brand they are. What would cause the stud to warp? Bad spacers? How would you prevent this from happening again? And is this common? Also, the lug nuts were crap quality ... literally looked like a piece of aluminum covering a nut ... THREE of them twisted off when I was removing them ... Is this common? Ive never ran spacers before so I have no experience with them, but have not had any vibration or issue so far until now ...

Top nut shows crappy lug ... middle stud was warped and totally destroyed upon removal ... I tried to straighten the stud for removal to no avail, that is what the rubber marks on the wheel are from ... (see pic)

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Old Apr 20, 2016 | 08:03 AM
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Are your spacers colored? i know my spidertrax can have lugs replaced. As far as them being warped, they may not have been torqued to spec, or may have loosened up. It's important to check wheel torque as a preventive maintenance routine.
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Old Apr 20, 2016 | 08:11 AM
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Originally Posted by agentjohnson
Are your spacers colored? i know my spidertrax can have lugs replaced. As far as them being warped, they may not have been torqued to spec, or may have loosened up. It's important to check wheel torque as a preventive maintenance routine.
Negative on the color ... I looked into a new stud but because the brand was unknown I ordered a set of 1.5" Spidertrax. I figured better safe than sorry and as it is a daily driver (most of the time with a 5 year old on board) I didn't want to risk it. Nothing seems loose, not sure on the torque because I did not install them. You can bet though that they will be VERY CLOSELY inspected every time I rotate them. I didn't think about them being over-torqued, that would probably do it.

Any ideas on why these lugs are so crappy? Are they stock this way? Im replacing them all the way around with solid ones if I can find them ... Searching now.

So just to clarify, in your opinion, this is a mechanical anomaly or a result of a poor install (most likely), not a common failure for this equipment?

Full spacer pic attached.

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Old Apr 20, 2016 | 08:20 AM
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Pretty sure (90%) they are Rough Country Spacers ...
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Old Apr 20, 2016 | 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Jeepedup
Pretty sure (90%) they are Rough Country Spacers ...
I had rough country spacers on for a month or so. The studs stripped/on the first install. I had two snap on my way to the beach at 80mph. I could hear the rim slapping luckily which I caught it. Replaced the studs and then when I had new tires on they must have over torqued them because 5 miles away I had 3 snapped studs on one side and all 5 broke off (tire literally fell off). **** rough country spacers.
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Old Apr 20, 2016 | 09:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Chuck-The-Ripper
I had rough country spacers on for a month or so. The studs stripped/on the first install. I had two snap on my way to the beach at 80mph. I could hear the rim slapping luckily which I caught it. Replaced the studs and then when I had new tires on they must have over torqued them because 5 miles away I had 3 snapped studs on one side and all 5 broke off (tire literally fell off). **** rough country spacers.
DAMN! Yea ... Glad I ordered the Spidertrax ... That makes me feel better about replacing them all ...
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Old Apr 20, 2016 | 09:30 AM
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Are these crap lug nuts stock?
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Old Apr 20, 2016 | 09:34 AM
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Personal opinion, but I'd never run anything with spacers for that exact reason. Way too many variables and you don't know what's going on behind the wheel. On a SXS is one thing, and I wouldn't run them on there either, but on a full size vehicle, not a chance. There are lots of options for wheels with the desired offset that won't break the bank. Pay once, cry once.
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Old Apr 20, 2016 | 11:15 AM
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Post #38 - metallurgy test of a RC spacer.

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modi...safety-130315/

And post #9 has info on the metallurgy of a Spidertrax spacer.

Last edited by nthinuf; Apr 20, 2016 at 11:18 AM.
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Old Apr 20, 2016 | 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by nthinuf
Post #38 - metallurgy test of a RC spacer.

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modi...safety-130315/

And post #9 has info on the metallurgy of a Spidertrax spacer.

GREAT INFO! GREAT LINK! I appreciate it! I don't want to start the whole should I/Should I not use them ... That dead horse has been beaten to oblivion on here already ... I can't buy new tires and wheels right now so I WILL be using them and this makes me feel better about it.

Anybody got any advice on how to get these cheap bastards off my ride? ... They are STUCK!
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