Advertise on DISCO4.COM
Forum · Gallery · Wiki · Shop · Sponsors
DISCO4.COM > Wheels & Tyres

Wheel Spacers - what are the benefits?
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 2 12>
ClassikFan
 


Member Since: 02 Nov 2016
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1025

United Kingdom 2008 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Auto Loire BlueDiscovery 4
Wheel Spacers - what are the benefits?

As per the title, do spacers add anything to the driving feel of a Discovery? I understand the improved appearance but is there anything else to consider?
 Just 'cause you got the power... that don't mean you got the right.
 
 
Post #232340820th Jan 2023 7:01 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
RSRowe
 


Member Since: 27 Oct 2022
Location: Stoke on Trent
Posts: 10

United Kingdom 2010 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 XS Auto Unknown ColourDiscovery 4

Spacers generally negatively affect driving/handling characteristics. The pros of them looking better, outweigh that for some people.
  
Post #232341020th Jan 2023 7:11 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
al cope
 


Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10288

England 

A couple of points, they can add extra strain in wheel bearings, and It’s also classed as a “modification” so can affect your insurance.

Al
 Volvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD 
 
Post #232342020th Jan 2023 9:34 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Send e-mail Reply with quote
Moo
D3 Decade 


Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 13779

Ukraine 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 S Manual Zambezi SilverDiscovery 3

Don't they reduce the turning circle?
 New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)

Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)

Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)

No longer the Old Buses original owner Sad
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control 
 
Post #232342520th Jan 2023 10:02 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
HairyFool
 


Member Since: 04 Jan 2023
Location: Essex
Posts: 485

United Kingdom 2016 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 Landmark LE Auto ZanzibarDiscovery 4

The turning circle is defined by the maximum steering angle to the centre line of the vehicle and the distance to the furthest rear wheel. Neither of these should measurably change due to spacers so other than affecting the full lock range it shouldn't affect turning circle.

Obviously if you went full "Carlos Fandango" apart from being completely illegal the lock would inevitably be affected.
 A visitor from the dark side, my other vehicle is an MG5 EV  
Post #232345820th Jan 2023 12:21 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
ClassikFan
 


Member Since: 02 Nov 2016
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1025

United Kingdom 2008 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Auto Loire BlueDiscovery 4

Christian from LR Time says they make a driving improvement but I’ve not heard him explain in what way.
 Just 'cause you got the power... that don't mean you got the right.
 
 
Post #232349720th Jan 2023 5:53 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
DN
D3 Decade 


Member Since: 23 Jun 2006
Location: W.London.
Posts: 2289

Ukraine 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 Base 7 Seat Auto Zambezi SilverDiscovery 3

As Al mentions above…….The extra stress on the wheel bearings ( which are far from being long lived anyway) would immediately put me off………especially the rear ones, which are a PITA to replace Laughing Touching wood, mine ( both front and rear) at 97k, aren’t shot yet.
 D3 owned from new, P017 brake recall, BAS FBHIC, new FBH, LR013487 oil pump, new water pump. RRS front lower suspension arms. New suspension compressor/ relay. New Denso alternator. CuNifer rear brake pipes. New GKN rear propshaft. New HPFP belt & tensioner. New A/C Condenser.NO WARRANTY for many many years.  
Post #232349920th Jan 2023 6:03 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Flatlander
 


Member Since: 20 Jul 2015
Location: Here
Posts: 575

United Kingdom 

The only benefit I've found is extra clearance for snow chains - other than that, none.
The extra offset will also cause the front tyres to scrub more due to the change in geometry. I think it's more to do with 'feeling better' rather than any measurable benefit, a bit like 'performance' air filters.

No doubt there will be someone on facetube with all sorts of claims and videos, my real-world experience of driving a variety of vehicles with wheel spacers fitted is 'meh'.
  
Post #232350920th Jan 2023 6:56 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Motolab
 


Member Since: 18 Oct 2019
Location: Sleen
Posts: 1815

Netherlands 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Zambezi SilverDiscovery 3

ClassikFan wrote:
Christian from LR Time says


Exploitation of a youtube channel does not make the channel owner a specialist by default/automatically, although some think it works that way.. Cool (Note: i do not know him, so i don’t know if he really knows or not)

a claim has to be backed up by evidence otherwise it is “hear say” / 🦜 talk
 Best regards
Harold

Always looking for Pre '55's & Pre war British Motorcycles! knowing or having one for sale? PM please. I visit the UK 6 times a year

Ps. I edit my texts quite often, english is not my native language, so I will edit My “typo’s” etc. Wink 
 
Post #232351220th Jan 2023 7:06 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
M3DPO
 


Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8036

England 2014 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Lux Auto Corris GreyDiscovery 4

The only “improved appearance” IMHO is more mud splattered up the side of the car Laughing 21” wheels are bad enough at this time of year.
 It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't. 
 
Post #232351320th Jan 2023 7:22 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
HairyFool
 


Member Since: 04 Jan 2023
Location: Essex
Posts: 485

United Kingdom 2016 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 Landmark LE Auto ZanzibarDiscovery 4

When you consider the number of hours in development time that goes into a vehicle it is hard to comprehend why just increasing the track by an inch (old school engineering) is going to improve anything. True any design of something so complicated has to be a compromise to some degree considering the variations in use, doing a rock crawl has different needs to tanking down the motorway any change will need more than a wider track.

During my apprenticeship I would see mates rock up with the latest K&N filter or “tuned” exhaust with no thought of rejetting or ignition adjustments.
 A visitor from the dark side, my other vehicle is an MG5 EV  
Post #232352220th Jan 2023 8:44 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
DIY Ace
 


Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 849

United Kingdom 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Bonatti GreyDiscovery 3

I've bought a set of 30mm Terrafirma spacers at the Peterborough show as they looked shiny, I'm a bit of a magpie and they werent expensive. I haven't yet had the bother to try them though. Might give it a go this weekend and report back after a few weeks.

I'm hoping for less roll around the corners, maybe a more 'planted' feel. And a more aggressive look.

I'm expecting sod all difference except greater wear though.
 2022 BMW i4 M50. Bought Oct 2022. 10,200 miles and counting...
2014 BMW 435d convertible. Bought July 2021. 58,000 miles and counting...
2005 Discovery 3 HSE Auto. Bought Feb 2019. 169,000 miles and counting...
2009 Freelander 2 XS Manual. Bought Sep 2013. SOLD Aug 2021 (already regretted!)

https://youtube.com/channel/UCO_u_0D45x9KGfiNstzLJnw 
 
Post #232352820th Jan 2023 9:55 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Bicycle repairman
 


Member Since: 18 Sep 2019
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 158

United Kingdom 2010 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 GS Auto Galway GreenDiscovery 4

I fitted some D3 wheels to the wifes FL2 using hub adapters/spacers and they have added nothing to the balance/feel of the car and although she does not drive far or often I know they will have a detrimental effect in long term usage namely wheel bearings and tyre wear hence why they will be removed once I get her replacement wheels powder coated (this will be set number 4 Rolling Eyes )
 D4 GS let the retro fit begin
Heated steering wheel
Aftermarket TPMS
Double Din head unit satnav and TV
Reverse Camera
Cubby fridge
Door panel upgrade
Mood lighting
Digital Dash personalised
Back lit sun visors
4.5 Facelift front, rear and memory mirrors
Stainless bumper tread plate
6 pot Brembo conversion
HSE heated memory seats
Retro fit auto lights and wipers
LR 663 Defender alloys
275 45 20 GG AT3s
quarter of a D3 
 
Post #232353120th Jan 2023 10:14 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Motolab
 


Member Since: 18 Oct 2019
Location: Sleen
Posts: 1815

Netherlands 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Zambezi SilverDiscovery 3

@ DIY ace , I am sure you will experience most of those those “improvement’s” as improvements

That is how the mind works, especially with shiny bits who costs money…and have a great muscular look

Cool Laughing
 Best regards
Harold

Always looking for Pre '55's & Pre war British Motorcycles! knowing or having one for sale? PM please. I visit the UK 6 times a year

Ps. I edit my texts quite often, english is not my native language, so I will edit My “typo’s” etc. Wink 
 
Post #232353220th Jan 2023 10:19 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
manganaj
 


Member Since: 17 May 2019
Location: Oxon/Wilts Border
Posts: 10

United Kingdom 

I fitted a set of 20mm spacers to my truck. I wasn’t fussed about the extra stress on bearings as figured that it wouldn’t make so much of a difference that it would be a regular thing. When the bearings go ( and they will) then just need to get them changed. Anyway, I took them back off after about 1000 miles so figured I’d offer a few comments:

Pros
- make the truck look much better!
- stance much improved.
- better road holding and less body roll, particularly on fast corners.
- a good way to correct scrub radius changes when going up a few sizes in wheel diameter, e.g. if fitting 32” tyres
- more wheel arch clearance for bigger wheels/tyres.

Cons
- increased bearing wear (if you care)
- insurance implications.
- changes scrub radius beyond normal parameters unless fitting much larger wheels (see pros).

Scrub radius is a really niche subject and lots of webpages and YouTube videos on the subject. I found that the spacers caused my front wheels to lose traction much more easily on tight turns in the wet. It was weird as I’d turn into lower speed corners and the front would want to wash out. On fast corners the car felt more planted, but when increasing the amount of steering the wheels would then lose traction. I could only put this down to the change in scrub radius as being well beyond the geometry as set by the manufacturer.

Anyway, bottom line is that I’ve taken mine off as didn’t like the traction implications as it made me lose confidence in cornering ability in the wet. If I was going up to a 275/55/20 (or similar 20”) tyre then a modest spacer would bring the scrub radius back to where it likely should be for ‘factory geometry’. However, spacers on standard wheels, or larger wheels with no spacers would throw this out by enough to notice and I would not recommend from direct experience!

I can’t say a clear yes or no to recommending spacers as more considerations depending on circumstances. However, I would say definitely familiarise yourself with scrub radius and effect on geometry before you take the plunge!!
  
Post #233029916th Mar 2023 10:11 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Display posts from the last:  
Post Reply Back to top
Page 1 of 2 12>
Jump to:  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >


Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



DISCO4.COM Copyright © 2004-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DISCO3.CO.UK RSS Feed - All Forums

DISCO4.COM is independent and not affiliated to Land Rover.
Switch to Mobile Site