zabba Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 I know these are considered a must have mod by many on here, but having had some Eibach 20/25mm spacers fitted to my Zed a couple of weeks ago, I can't say I am really enjoying it that much. I find the car tramlines more and the steering is less precise, I did expect a small change but it's affected the drive more than I expected, and suspect I will have them taken off. The car looks far better on with them, but the drive really has suffered. The advice is often to check the geo, but it had a geo about 6 months ago (with previous owner) and it felt great before the spacers, so doubt another geo is going to fix it. Is there anything else I should check before I have them taken off? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planetsurfer2 Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 Wheel spacers are the work of the devil.....Should only be used as frisbees 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyleR Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 You're right, the advice is usually to get the geo checked. Small things can big a difference so I'd certainly start there, despite it being done 6 months before the spacers were fitted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 Cant say i noticed any difference with Eibach spacers on my previous zed. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 But I did, and took them back off again, car had been aligned as well. Now running 25mm spacers all round with stupid wheels and its fine again, weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydnH Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 My car feels great with them on. 1st thing to do as it's free is to check tyre preassures (35PSI all round when cold), even when they're down to 34PSI I could feel a huge difference on the REO50As, failing that alignment, spacers will exacerbate any small issues with your geo. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbyheinz Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 I have the same set up and I don't really notice a difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteman35 Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 Always found with spacers the car was alot more precise as to the tramlining it does happen but like the other guys said check tyre pressures also Front tyres are the same size/brand.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 I had the same set up on mine before I bought new wheels, was quite wary beforehand as I had been told that it could adversely affect the handling, all was fine but I did have a 4 wheel alignment done when the news wheels and tyres went on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bizz Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Did you get this sorted or are you still feeling the same problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamN Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 If you want rid of the spacers, PM me 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zabba Posted September 25, 2013 Author Share Posted September 25, 2013 Still not sorted, checked tyre pressures, all fine, tyres are all in condition and match on the axles so can't see that it's the problem. I think this only leaves the geo, so will get it checked out, but it was absolutely fine before the spacers. Will be putting them up for sale in the classifieds if I do decide to take them off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 the spacers extend where the wheels sit, there for it changes the geo, geo needs to be adjusted to account for the change in the new axle length Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 As RT says, by definition the wheels/axle width is now wider than before which the car was not set up for. Running a geo is absolutely important. Funny that since getting the VX where the handling is so 'frisky' the geo is the one thing every member gets done regularly, although very rarely see it done on here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zabba Posted September 25, 2013 Author Share Posted September 25, 2013 I had the spacers fitted by a well regarded Honda specialist, who said that geo wouldn't be affected by the spacers and I trust their opinion, but I can see that any inaccuracies would be exagerated by the extra width. Anyway, I will get it booked in for a proper alignment and see if it improves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longsh07 Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Odd. My Eibach 20/25s made my 350Z handling better in my opinion, not as much as my 19" LMGT4's however! These have made a massive difference! As said, get the geo checked. If mine was anything to go by the car should feel more planted on the road with the spacers fitted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamN Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 I understand that spacers are effectively increasing the axle length but I don't see how this should affect the geo personally? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drfeelgood73 Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 I love the feel of the car with the 20/25 set up... a lot more planted and precise turning..... I had the set up on with the standard 18's for a while and noticed a good change, but the biggest change was with 19's and new tyres..... I did take the spacers off and run with 19's for a comparison...... I put the spacers back on after 100 or so miles...... The beast feels like it is on rails and struggle to get the tc light to flash on purpose...but i have made a lot of changes to the suspension and chassis and had it aligned...... Like others have said...trial and error with set up..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longsh07 Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 I love the feel of the car with the 20/25 set up... a lot more planted and precise turning..... I had the set up on with the standard 18's for a while and noticed a good change, but the biggest change was with 19's and new tyres..... I did take the spacers off and run with 19's for a comparison...... I put the spacers back on after 100 or so miles...... The beast feels like it is on rails and struggle to get the tc light to flash on purpose...but i have made a lot of changes to the suspension and chassis and had it aligned...... Like others have said...trial and error with set up..... And personal preference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 As RT says, by definition the wheels/axle width is now wider than before which the car was not set up for. Running a geo is absolutely important. Funny that since getting the VX where the handling is so 'frisky' the geo is the one thing every member gets done regularly, although very rarely see it done on here? My stuff is adjustable but once a year is about right for me personally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 I found 20/25 spacer made my Zed feel much more planted and less twitchy, yes a bit of tramlining but nothing too major.... Mind you I only did 42k on them so what do I know Sent from the Jaaaaaag at the golf club YAAAARRRRRRRPPPPPPPPPP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bizz Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 I understand that spacers are effectively increasing the axle length but I don't see how this should affect the geo personally? It shouldn't make a massive difference but it sounds like you've checked pretty much everything else which could be effecting your handling so best get it checked so you can say you've look at everything. The geo set up frequency though is quite a personal preference thing. If you're using mainly standard arms and you're just using it for fast road then once a year is more than adequate. If you then move on to having more aftermarket arms or start drifting or doing a lot of track days I would definitely step it up a bit as I've found the aftermarket arms do tend to "self-adjust" a lot. Also if you're boucing off kerbs and stuff on a track it's just good practice to keep getting the geo checked. You'll soon realise if you need to keep going as regularly or not. When I was using the skyline for drifting I was doing the geo after every round or two at the most because the arms did move about by a few minutes regardless of how tight they were but also to try slightly different set ups to tease some more grip out of the car. I'm now going to be starting from scratch with the Z, going to take some time to get that perfect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fluke Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 I found this thread after searching for help with my 350z tram lining. I have spacers fitted and have checked the tyre pressure, I have 35 psi all round and the tyres are the same brand on all 4 corners. Do I get an alignment with the spacers on or do I have to take them off first? Is it just a standard 4 wheel alignment, or do I need a specialist garage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 You should get a full alignment every 12mths at the latest, more often if you drive on bad roads. Leave the spacers on, and take the car somewhere that can do a specific geo to how you want the car to handle. For me, it's not enough just to have the wheels back within the Nissan specs as they're pretty broad and not set up to maximise the car, so I'd want something a little more livelier. Even a generic 'fast road' setting would be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fluke Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 I am taking my car for a Terraclean tomorrow, and the garage says they will carry out a wheel alignment if it needs doing. Is there anything specific, I should ask or need to know? Do these cars require a laser alignment, like the Hunter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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