98 TJ wheel spacers

[penn98tj]

New to Jeeps... this is a spacer I am guessing? Some of the studs have broken on it. Are they usually replaceable or are they built in to the spacer?

More importantly - how the hell do you get it off? None of my sockets will fit since they are recessed.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Looks like someone over-torqued the bolts. The five recessed bolts remove the spacer. You just need a thin wall socket to remove them. Buy new/better spacers if you need them.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nk...,Submodel:Rubicon,Engine+-+Liter_Display:4.0L

 

[SSTJ]

Yes, you can get them off as described above. They serve two purposes: to push the wheels out, and sometimes also to change the spacing between the lugs (which is called the bolt pattern). That allows you to run non-OEM wheels on your TJ if you want to.

 

[gatertamer]

I can tell @jerrybransford isn't going to help on this .... (Notice the can of PB Blaster)

 

[penn98tj]

Yes, you can get them off as described above. They serve two purposes: to push the wheels out, and sometimes also to change the spacing between the lugs (which is called the bolt pattern). That allows you to run non-OEM wheels on your TJ if you want to.

Looks like someone over-torqued the bolts. The five recessed bolts remove the spacer. You just need a thin wall socket to remove them. Buy new/better spacers if you need them.

Thanks. I ordered some thin wall sockets as I didn't have the 19mm to get this thing off. I thought I just had stock wheels but are these wheels wider than stock? P245/65R17. If so I am guessing I will still need the spacer which looks to be an inch. Are the studs on these spacers usually replaceable? The stock bolt pattern is 5x4.5 and these rims look to be the same - does that sound about right?

Thanks!

 

[deadbeat son]

Thanks. I ordered some thin wall sockets as I didn't have the 19mm to get this thing off. I thought I just had stock wheels but are these wheels wider than stock? P245/65R17. If so I am guessing I will still need the spacer which looks to be an inch. Are the studs on these spacers usually replaceable? The stock bolt pattern is 5x4.5 and these rims look to be the same - does that sound about right?

Thanks!

View attachment 453828

View attachment 453829

View attachment 453830

View attachment 453831

Your wheels are not stock, no TJ came with 17” wheels. They look like they’re possibly Grand Cherokee wheels, but I’m not sure. I don’t follow GCs at all. The spacers were probably used to accommodate the high positive offset 17” wheels someone installed.

 

[GPK03X]

No way would I reuse those spacers. Like the Boogieman said, they were probably over torqued. More studs could break. Four new spacers from TITAN are only $100. Just be sure of the bolt pattern on those 17’s

 

[TheBoogieman]

Your wheels are not stock, no TJ came with 17” wheels. They look like they’re possibly Grand Cherokee wheels, but I’m not sure. I don’t follow GCs at all. The spacers were probably used to accommodate the high positive offset 17” wheels someone installed.

You are correct. They are Grand Cherokee wheels. 5x5" bolt pattern.
1999-2018 Grand Cherokee
2006-2010 Commander
2007-2018 Wrangler

17"
Front Wheel Width	7.5
Front Wheel Offset	50.8mm

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Thanks. I ordered some thin wall sockets as I didn't have the 19mm to get this thing off. I thought I just had stock wheels but are these wheels wider than stock? P245/65R17. If so I am guessing I will still need the spacer which looks to be an inch. Are the studs on these spacers usually replaceable? The stock bolt pattern is 5x4.5 and these rims look to be the same - does that sound about right?

Thanks!

View attachment 453828

View attachment 453829

View attachment 453830

View attachment 453831

There is the problem. That one inch spacer is not wide enough to cover the stock studs. That means the wheel was riding on the ends of the protruding studs, and not the mounting surface of the spacer. That is crazy dangerous, and likely a contributing factor to the failure.

Either trim the studs to use a 1” spacer, or get a proper 1.25” spacer.

 

[deadbeat son]

There is the problem. That one inch spacer is not wide enough to cover the stock studs. That means the wheel was riding on the ends of the protruding studs, and not the mounting surface of the spacer. That is crazy dangerous, and likely a contributing factor to the failure.

Either trim the studs to use a 1” spacer, or get a proper 1.25” spacer.

Don't forget that unlike aftermarket wheels, many of the OEM wheels have a "pocket" between the lug openings that the lug can fit into if running a 1" spacer, as seen in the pic of the back of a ravine below. However, I have no clue if these GC wheels have that.

 

[penn98tj]

Your wheels are not stock, no TJ came with 17” wheels. They look like they’re possibly Grand Cherokee wheels, but I’m not sure. I don’t follow GCs at all. The spacers were probably used to accommodate the high positive offset 17” wheels someone installed.

No way would I reuse those spacers. Like the Boogieman said, they were probably over torqued. More studs could break. Four new spacers from TITAN are only $100. Just be sure of the bolt pattern on those 17’s

There is the problem. That one inch spacer is not wide enough to cover the stock studs. That means the wheel was riding on the ends of the protruding studs, and not the mounting surface of the spacer. That is crazy dangerous, and likely a contributing factor to the failure.

Either trim the studs to use a 1” spacer, or get a proper 1.25” spacer.

And get some BM brakes and new rotors. I don't miss living in VT and CT and the rust issues. My 77' Camaro had chrome wheels back in the day.

Thanks to everyone, I'm finally getting to the bottom of this. I'll get new spacers. So I should get 5x4.5 to 5x5 spacers that are 1.25" I believe, does that sound right?

Brand wise - from the digging I've done, spidertrax is recommended but also syngery?

https://www.spidertrax.com/Jeep-JK-Conversion-Adapters?sc=2&category=9998
I think that is what I need. $300 for all four wheels... other brands on ebay are in the $70-$100 range for 4. I know this has probably been beaten to death is there a mid-range spacer company that builds in the usa? Synergy is another brand that pops out but I couldn't find the 5x4.5 to 5.5 at 1.25" only 1.5"

Thanks again

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Don't forget that unlike aftermarket wheels, many of the OEM wheels have a "pocket" between the lug openings that the lug can fit into if running a 1" spacer, as seen in the pic of the back of a ravine below. However, I have no clue if these GC wheels have that.

View attachment 453837

Good call-out.

 

[penn98tj]

Don't forget that unlike aftermarket wheels, many of the OEM wheels have a "pocket" between the lug openings that the lug can fit into if running a 1" spacer, as seen in the pic of the back of a ravine below. However, I have no clue if these GC wheels have that.

Good catch, you are correct. My wheels have those so they were not sitting on the studs after all. But maybe crappy spacers or not torqued correctly caused the failures.

 

[NWPA Jeepy T]

Spacers won't pass PA state inspection.
Welcome from Erie County!
Where in PA you from?

 

[deadbeat son]

Synergy is another brand that pops out but I couldn't find the 5x4.5 to 5.5 at 1.25" only 1.5"

Thanks again

I can't speak to any brand of spacer, I've never used them, but keep in mind you're looking for a 5x4.5" to 5x5" adapter, not 5x4.5" to 5x5.5".

 

[GPK03X]

I’ve had no problems with my TITAN brand spacers. I saw the 1.25” adapters you need for $100.

 

[penn98tj]

I can't speak to any brand of spacer, I've never used them, but keep in mind you're looking for a 5x4.5" to 5x5" adapter, not 5x4.5" to 5x5.5".

Yes, you are correct. I mistyped but thanks for double checking!

Spacers won't pass PA state inspection.
Welcome from Erie County!
Where in PA you from?

Lehigh valley, on the other side of the state!

 

[penn98tj]

I’ve had no problems with my TITAN brand spacers. I saw the 1.25” adapters you need for $100.

You are right, found the titans:

https://www.titanwheelaccessories.c...s-on-tj-yj-kk-sj-71-5-hubcentric-1-2x20-studs
Will probably go with these

 

[Shank]

You are right, found the titans:

[URL]https://www.titanwheelaccessor...s-on-tj-yj-kk-sj-71-5-hubcentric-1-2x20-studs[/URL]

Will probably go with these

I use Spidertrax. When I bought them they seemed to be regarded as quality.

 

[penn98tj]

Since I have the pockets in the back of my wheels I could stick with 1" spacers. Is there any other considerations to going with something wider other than looks?