Bolt-on wheel spacers function by creating an additional mounting surface between your vehicle's hub and the wheel, effectively pushing the wheel further outward. Their operation involves a two-step attachment process, distinguishing them from simple "slip-on" spacers.
The Mechanism Explained
Bolt-on wheel spacers are engineered to provide a secure extension of your vehicle's wheel hub. The process involves attaching the spacer to the existing wheel studs and then attaching the wheel to the spacer's own set of studs.
Here's a breakdown of how they work:
- Attaching the Spacer to the Vehicle's Hub:
The first step involves securing the bolt-on spacer directly to your vehicle's existing wheel studs. For this crucial connection, new included lug nuts are used to attach the spacers to your existing studs. These specialized lug nuts ensure a firm and safe attachment of the spacer to the vehicle's original hub assembly. - Spacer's Integrated Studs:
Once the spacer is securely mounted, it provides a new set of studs for your wheel. This is a key feature of bolt-on spacers: the spacers have their own studs. These studs are built into the spacer itself, mirroring the pattern and size of your vehicle's original wheel studs, allowing the wheel to be mounted correctly. - Attaching the Wheel to the Spacer:
With the spacer firmly in place and presenting its own set of studs, your wheel can then be mounted onto these new studs. Importantly, your existing lug nuts will bolt on the wheel just like before. This means you use the original lug nuts that came with your vehicle to secure your wheel to the studs provided by the spacer.
In essence, bolt-on spacers act as an intermediate hub. They bolt onto your vehicle, and your wheels then bolt onto the spacer, providing the desired offset and wider stance.
