Wheel spacers possibly causing wheel vibration

Tiny
AJC0219
  • MEMBER
  • 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 50,000 MILES
Have the car listed above it had 16 inch rims. I bought brand new 17 inch rims and tires had them mounted and balanced, left the shop and noticed wobbling when I went about 70+mph it felt like a tire wasn't balanced, so I went back to the shop and had it re-balanced. When they took my front tires off I noticed what I assumed was a wheel spacers (looked like a big washer about 3mm thick) but only on the front (which is where I feel a wobble). Is this wobble I feel because of the spacers? Should I have the spacers taken off? And why were they only on my front?
Saturday, April 6th, 2019 AT 6:53 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

I never use spacers as they move the wheel more away for the hub causing more pressure on the hub bearings.

Yes, it could be the issue. They may have done this if the wheel touched the caliper during installation.

Anytime you alter the wheel and tire size, you will run into these issues.

Roy
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Saturday, April 6th, 2019 AT 7:13 AM
Tiny
AJC0219
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Would a 3mm spacer make a difference though and if it touched the front wouldn't it do the same in the back?
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Saturday, April 6th, 2019 AT 7:33 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Yes it would.

The calipers are smaller in the back than the front.

Roy
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Saturday, April 6th, 2019 AT 7:35 AM

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