Feeling a bit Spaced Out

[jakblade]

Well finally bit the bullet and bought some spacers for the Zed. 20mm rear and 15mm front. Wasn't convinced that I needed any but.........The arches are now filled out better and I don't know if I'm imagining it but the car feels more stable/planted on the road...my warped mind or not????

Before pics....excuse the dirty car it did get cleaned later in the day...





And some after shots.....I reckon it looks better.....

 

[MrPT]

...I don't know if I'm imagining it but the car feels more stable/planted on the road...my warped mind or not????

Possibly - I'm wondering the same thing since fitting spacers to mine.

It makes sense that handling would improve - slightly more scrub radius at the front and less (overall) weight transfer to the outside of the car when cornering, but whether the differences should really be noticeable with a 3cm increase in front track or not, who knows?!

 

[Swiftly]

Now its perfect

 

[paulgs1000]

Certainly can see the difference and like the look.

I can see how it would add to handling - no worries about extra load on bearings?

 

[Marlon]

Definitely looks better , but what this about load on bearings Paul?

 

[GreyZed]

Certainly can see the difference and like the look.

I can see how it would add to handling - no worries about extra load on bearings?

Not with 15 or 20mm unless you regularly track your car hard/competitively. I have run kit cars in the past with up to 75mm spacers on and never had any issues with bearings.

The OP may get some rubbing on the front though. I have 15mm rear and 12mm front and my fronts have eventually rubbed a small hole through the inner arch liners. I think they must catch on full bump or hard cornering.

Edit : just realised OP has a 2.5i SE so probably slightly higher ride height than mine and maybe no rubbing.

 

[Swiftly]

I would have thought that running the wrong offset puts more of a strain on the wheel bearings.
If I remember correctly Porsche 930 Turbo and some 944s used wheel spacers fitted as standard straight from the factory.

 

[jakblade]

Now its perfect

Not quite yet. Future plans for Aero Kit with boot spoiler . Different exhaust and sort the rear brakes and suspension all round. Just need to save some coinage :lol:
Thanks for the positive comments. The fronts do look a little close to the arch liners but it's not lowered so will just keep an eye out on them. Will also keep look out on any wheel bearing issues too.
Think it just looks neater/tidier with the arches filled out more.

 

[GreyZed]

I would have thought that running the wrong offset puts more of a strain on the wheel bearings.
If I remember correctly Porsche 930 Turbo and some 944s used wheel spacers fitted as standard straight from the factory.

In theory yes the lever arm is increased and so is the force applied to the bearings which in turn means increased stress and strain and a greater rate of wear towards failure mode. However all relatively insignificant increases in the context of normal road use and therefore unlikely to present any premature failures unless you do mega miles or track your car regularly.