whats the low down on wheel spacers/ snow chains?

cr445671

Forum Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Messages
66
Location
florida
Car Year
2002
Car Model
forester
Transmission
auto
I know there isn't much room at all between tire and spring perch when running max size at's, but can any one still fit chains on? If so what kind would be nice to know. I don't know if wheel spacers would make any difference, but then I don't know anything about wheel spacers to begin with, could someone fill me in? What happens to the stock lugs, what size is ok to run, i know some aftermarket wheels change the offset so i figure it can't be too much different but all the threads I've found on em are focused on people who lower their cars and stuff, nothing really off road minded.

for refference i currently have bfg ko2 215/75/r15 on forester steel wheels with excel-g struts. Car is 02 forester with 1" rallitek springs all around and 1/1.5" f/r strut blocks.
 
If you want to fit snow chains on a Subaru, keep the OEM tire/rim size.

But in my opinion, you don't really need chains on a Subaru, winter tires should do the job easily, trust me !
 
Thing is I don't really have alot of money so I can only afford one set of tires, since off road is the goal big at's is what gets me the most bang for my buck.

Also I live in florida.

I was mainly thinking for use if I drive up to the mountains in winter. Not so much for the street but for better grip off road when the forest service roads get covered in snow. Especially since that locker is coming out soon, seems like something that may be alot more feasible. You still won't get nearly as far as in the summer but it sounds like fun. Also since you're required to have 'em it makes sense to get some that work.

I just don't know if those spacers are bad for anything or not, or if a wheel that would get you a similar offset is somehow better.
 
Snow "cables" don't take too much room so spacers, assuming they are legal there, could allow enough room for them to fit. Any offset that extends track will add pressure on the vehicle but if just used temporarily then should be OK. I've seen many US Foresters that have changed wheels with less offset than stock but have not heard of any issues.
 
I've run 3mm spacers for years. Mainly for strut clearance with wider tires. Larger spacers will need longer studs. Not that big a deal.
 
Spacers are illegal in Australia under the Australian Design Rules (ADRs).

Other countries are different.
 
Are the 15" steel forester wheels hubcentric?
 
El_Freddo said:
It’s not about quality of the units in Oz, it’s just the rules! I highly doubt you’ll find an engineer that would sign them off.

Cheers

Bennie
Click to expand...

In fact I reckon you'd be hard-pressed to make an hub spacer that failed in itself.

The real safety issue is the stresses on the (longer) studs..
 
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