Bright, trendy and more stable: everything you need to know about track extensions!
Suspension and steering,  Tuning,  Car tuning

Bright, trendy and more stable: everything you need to know about track extensions!

Just a few millimeters create a visible effect: the wider track gives the car a completely new look. Its shape is powerful, strong with added stability. Read all about track expansion below!

Track widening is more than just a change in appearance . Driving quality also changes . However, there are a few things to keep in mind when widening gauge, and there are several disadvantages .

Cheap tuning done quickly

Bright, trendy and more stable: everything you need to know about track extensions!

Positive side of gauge expansion is the maximum effect created with a relatively small intervention. Basically, widening a track is as easy as changing wheels .

The steps are very similar. . Installation of a complete set of wheel spacers takes only fifteen minutes. However, this transformation must be done carefully, requires concentration as well as the right tools.

Pay attention to the legal aspect

Bright, trendy and more stable: everything you need to know about track extensions!

The wider the better? Not really . The wheel arch is the limit. To be very precise: the maximum allowable track width ends 5 mm from the wing. It's all about security: protruding spinning wheel works like a sling when catching a pedestrian or cyclist . The passerby, captured by the wheel, was dragged under the car by rotation, and the back side of the rotating wheel, touching the passerby, could throw air at him. Thus, the widening of the gauge is regulated by the law .

In addition to the rule of thumb: " 5 mm from the wing - maximum track width ”, attention is drawn to another important legal aspect: only tested and approved wheel spacer kits may be used . Independent production of spacer discs on a lathe is not allowed.

What is included in the wheel spacer kit?

Bright, trendy and more stable: everything you need to know about track extensions!

The main parts of a wheel spacer kit are round spacer discs with nine drilled holes. The disk is put on the wheel bearing through the large hole in the center. 8 hole ring is either threaded or clearance holes. The spacer disc is attached to the wheel hub with the included bolts. . Next, the wheel is screwed through the threaded holes - ready.

The thickness of the disk determines the extra distance.

Advantages and disadvantages of gauge widening

Gauge extension has the following advantages:

- improved stability on the track, especially when cornering.
- look better

Curve Performance Improvement occurs as a result of the increased bearing surface of the vehicle. The points of contact with the ground are wider, which provides better stability and keeps the car on the move. Even if it's only a few millimeters, you'll notice the difference right away.

Looks especially impressive changed appearance when widening is combined with wide tires and low profile rims. Large rims with wide-spaced tires give the car a distinctly powerful and solid appearance.

The disadvantage of widening the track is the stress on the entire steering mechanism due to the increased leverage effect. accelerating the wear of all components. Particularly when altered, they suffer steering knuckles, tie rods and stabilizer links. Increased wear as a result of track expansion was also seen on the drive shaft. The whimsical appearance is achieved by reducing the life of these parts. .

Gauge widening - step by step

To install wheel spacers:

1 wheel wrench or wrench for 1” nut
1 torque wrench
1 set of wheel spacers
1 car jack or car lift platform,
if necessary, a stand for a jack,
if necessary, wheel wedges

1. Loosen bolts and nuts.

Bright, trendy and more stable: everything you need to know about track extensions!
  • Start by turning off the engine, applying the handbrake and removing the key .
  • Now you can loosen the wheel bolts . Wheel bolts are best loosened when the vehicle is still on the ground. This prevents the tires from rotating during unscrewing.

2. Jack up the car

Bright, trendy and more stable: everything you need to know about track extensions!
  • If car lift unavailable, suitable car jack stand. It's important place the jack stand at the appropriate points on the car body . An incorrectly installed vehicle jack can cause serious damage to the chassis and total loss of the vehicle.
  • When working on a vehicle, never rely on the jack alone. . Jacked car first must be secured against rolling , ideally with wheel wedges .
Bright, trendy and more stable: everything you need to know about track extensions!

TIP: the accessory store offers wheel wedges with built-in first aid kits and a warning triangle. With this solution, you are best prepared for any car occasion. .

Bright, trendy and more stable: everything you need to know about track extensions!
  • It is desirable that the car be placed on a professional car stand . These cheap but safe components provide reliable and stable vehicle positioning. The car stand has a larger footprint than a car jack, allowing you to work under the car for hours if necessary.

3. Removing the wheels

Bright, trendy and more stable: everything you need to know about track extensions!
  • Wheel to be fitted with a spacer , can now be removed quickly as the bolts were previously loosened.

4. Installing the wheel spacer

Bright, trendy and more stable: everything you need to know about track extensions!
  • The wheel spacer must be installed according to the installation instructions . The bolts are tightened to the tightening torque specified in the instructions.

ATTENTION: ALWAYS cross tighten the bolts .

5. Reinstall the wheel

Bright, trendy and more stable: everything you need to know about track extensions!
  • The wheel is now installed and tightened to the specified torque. .

MOT inspection after installation

Bright, trendy and more stable: everything you need to know about track extensions!

Gauge extension must be registered . TO checks the correct installation, the allowable dimensions and the manufacturer of the spacers.
Therefore, always keep the Vehicle Type Approval handy. .

Unregistered gauge widening may result in a fine .

Not wide enough?

Bright, trendy and more stable: everything you need to know about track extensions!

Track widening beyond the factory-set wing limit is possible, although this requires bodywork modifications . « Insignificant » Adaptation involves bending or "flaring" the wheel arches.

This must be done in a specialized body shop . The selection of the wheel arch may seem easy, but a lot can go wrong: the bodywork may be unevenly deformed, and the paintwork may be damaged . Body shop asks 150-400 Euro (± £130–£350) for flanging all four wheel arches.

Be sure to check this transformation with TO . Otherwise, you may end up paying a lot of money for a crooked car.

Bright, trendy and more stable: everything you need to know about track extensions!

Adding to the track extension requires a body extension, which includes extensive riveting and welding. . The do-it-yourselfer may soon reach its technical limits. Despite all this, gauge expansion may prove increasingly difficult to legalize.

Therefore, tough measures such as riveted and welded track widening are intended mainly for rally cars. .

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