Effect of spacers on tramlining?

satz · 09-09-2015, 01:55 AM

Hi all

Am thinking of adding some spacers to my 2009 335i sedan to bring the wheels out slightly. Maybe 15-20mm thick spacers.

I did read somewhere that adding track width can affect the scrub radius which apparently can make the car tramline more (or follow grooves in the road).

My stock sedan already does that. But I thought that was due to the Potenza RE050 runflats.

Will adding spacers make it worse (or no different)?

Also, at the rear, does adding 20mm spacer make the suspension behave softer?

thanks

S

Phil325i · 09-09-2015, 03:22 AM

Adding spacers will have no effect on softening the suspension, only tire profile, springs and dampers can do that. Cant see why spacers should make tramlining worse. It hasn't for me (13mm all round).

feuer · 09-09-2015, 06:53 AM

it will because like you said it will affect scrub radius and will "add" to camber allowing the wheels to follow the grooves in the road easier since they will be further apart.

09-09-2015, 08:53 AM

No difference at all here after adding spacers on either of my wheel/tire setup. Have never had "tramlining" issues at all on this car since I've owned it.

Stream · 09-09-2015, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feuer

it will because like you said it will affect scrub radius and will "add" to camber allowing the wheels to follow the grooves in the road easier since they will be further apart.

Agree this.

chris82 · 09-10-2015, 02:06 PM

won't make any difference

Stream · 09-10-2015, 11:27 PM

http://www.hrsprings.com/technical/scrub_radius

Quote:

When you have excessive scrub, whether it be positive or negative, steering effort increases and road 'feel' increases, as the steering is more susceptible to road shock

VTECaddict · 09-11-2015, 12:07 AM

If you calculate out the numbers on paper, then sure. But in the real world, essentially no difference.

09-11-2015, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

If you calculate out the numbers on paper, then sure. But in the real world, essentially no difference.

Yeah exactly. If that were the case then no one should ever change factory shocks, springs, alignment, wheels, tires, upper/lower control arms, etc. Once any of those variables change, all those baseline scrub radius figures go right out the window; in real world experience the above parts have way more effect on "steering effort" and "road feel" than just spacers alone, which end up "feeling" much more minute in nature. Anyone who upgrades these parts piecemeal would tell you the same...

chris82 · 09-11-2015, 08:03 AM

reminds me of when a guy on here asked if spacers would increase or decrease over/understeer during his street driving . . .

feuer · 09-11-2015, 08:33 PM

OP from the posts above we can freely conclude that the answer is no and if you do experience such effects on tramlining it would be only imaginary

09-09-2015, 01:55 AM	#1
satz Lieutenant Colonel 336 Rep 1,642 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: A land down under iTrader: (0)	Effect of spacers on tramlining? Hi all Am thinking of adding some spacers to my 2009 335i sedan to bring the wheels out slightly. Maybe 15-20mm thick spacers. I did read somewhere that adding track width can affect the scrub radius which apparently can make the car tramline more (or follow grooves in the road). My stock sedan already does that. But I thought that was due to the Potenza RE050 runflats. Will adding spacers make it worse (or no different)? Also, at the rear, does adding 20mm spacer make the suspension behave softer? thanks S
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-09-2015, 03:22 AM	#2
Phil325i Brigadier General 616 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	Adding spacers will have no effect on softening the suspension, only tire profile, springs and dampers can do that. Cant see why spacers should make tramlining worse. It hasn't for me (13mm all round). __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-09-2015, 06:53 AM	#3
feuer Major General 4276 Rep 9,206 Posts Drives: wife crazy! Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (5)	it will because like you said it will affect scrub radius and will "add" to camber allowing the wheels to follow the grooves in the road easier since they will be further apart.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

09-09-2015, 08:53 AM	#4
FCobra94 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	No difference at all here after adding spacers on either of my wheel/tire setup. Have never had "tramlining" issues at all on this car since I've owned it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-10-2015, 02:06 PM	#6
chris82 Brigadier General 827 Rep 3,856 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NY NY iTrader: (8) Garage List 2009 BMW 128i [9.80]	won't make any difference
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-11-2015, 12:07 AM	#8
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	If you calculate out the numbers on paper, then sure. But in the real world, essentially no difference. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-11-2015, 08:03 AM	#10
chris82 Brigadier General 827 Rep 3,856 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NY NY iTrader: (8) Garage List 2009 BMW 128i [9.80]	reminds me of when a guy on here asked if spacers would increase or decrease over/understeer during his street driving . . .
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-11-2015, 08:33 PM	#11
feuer Major General 4276 Rep 9,206 Posts Drives: wife crazy! Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (5)	OP from the posts above we can freely conclude that the answer is no and if you do experience such effects on tramlining it would be only imaginary
	Appreciate 0 Quote