Spacers for use with AP front brakes?

[mmatthej1]

My car came to me fitted with AP Racing front brakes and a spacer is evidently used to push out the wheel sufficiently to accomodate the larger brake components - on my car, these spacers have slots thru which the wheel retaining bolts go into the hub threads.

The issue I have is that this means that the spacers are not necessarily well-centred, when the wheel is fitted and I would like to find a source for 'hubcentric' replacement spacers, to eliminate this potential centring issue - can anyone direct me in this please? (I think I'm looking for spacers with round holes, positioned to match the hub bolt holes.)

(the issue has just arisen, as I've had new front tyres and find an imbalance coming up thru the steering wheel - the (reputable) fitters have thrice rebalaced the actual wheel/tyres and now point to the spacer as the likely imbalance source - not sure if I entirely believe them, as I've had wheels/spacers off/on myself in the past, without encountering any issues but I do at least need to eliminate spacers as the cause, in my new search for a good balance!)

[novacaine]

I believe all you need to look for are 4x100 spacers.

There seems to be plenty on ebay, what thickness do you need?

www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.H0.X4x100+spacers&_nkw=4x100+spacers&_sacat=0&_from=R40

[mmatthej1]

Thanks for Ebay link but they don't actually have anything for the M100, having just entered details & tried the site!

Not sure of with right now but think it will be 15 or 16mm (will measure mine, asap)

Any other pointers, plse?

[Brit-Car-Nut]

I believe the hub center is 56.6mm? You would want to make sure the spacers work with that or you could try to find hubcentric rings that center the spacers you already have?

[novacaine]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Delta-Mics-15mm-Wheel-Spacers-VAUXHALL-Vectra-4x100-56-6-/400315704312?pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Wheels_tyre_Trims_Trims_ET&hash=item5d34ace3f8

These are 4x100 56.6 bore spacers

[dapinky]

Yep, basically, anything that will suit a 4 stud Vauxhall should do the trick.

[JohnB]

Hi mmatthej1.
I have the AP Racing front brake upgrade on my car and all that was necessary was to remove two or three millimetres from the inside of the standard wheels where the spokes touch the caliper. No spacers fitted at all.
It's such a small amount it doesn't compromise the wheel in any way in my opinion. In fact one of my wheels didn't need anything at all which goes to show how small a mod is needed.
Remember, though, that you'll need to do it to all four wheels because the space saver wheel will only fit on the rear hubs.
PM me if you need any more info.
John.

[mmatthej1]

Whipped the wheels off yesterday - the spacers are actually 10mm width.

I re-centred them quite carefully, putting a temporary position 'fix' in place, using masking tape and some Bostic - then bolted back and, great, the imbalance has been cured! (I remembered using the masking tape 'trick' from last time I had wheels off, now 'improved' it with Bostic!!)

So, many thanks to all responders - nice to have my smooth driver back!

[Gazza]

I have a spare set of AP front bells that don't need any spacers. 16" kit but not sure if they are any different from the 15" kit.
Could take some measurements if you are interested?

Gary