Rear Wheel Spacers Causing Trouble

[Kyle Townend]

I recently purchased some 15mm "Hubcentric" rear spacers for my car, however since fitting them I'm getting all sorts of noises coming from the rear of the car.

Really loud squeeling when I reverse

A real Gentle knocking coming from the rear

Sounds like something is catching on one of/both of the rear wheels - the noise speeds up when I go faster, slows down when I go slower etc.

I've taken the wheels and spacers off today - can't see anything obvious that could cause the noise - so reapplied the spacers with a thin layer of copper grease to try and reduce any possible metal on metal grinding.

The bolts I've used have the same sort of end as the standard ones, ie not tapered off and fit in the sockets perfectly.

I went for a little drive after reapplying the spacers, and i'm still getting all my noises.

Obviously I'd prefer to find the cause of this and fix it, as the car looks great with the spacers on - id rather not cut my losses and remove them completely!

Anyone got any ideas?

Cheers

 

[Nath.]

are you 100% sure you don't get the noises without the spacers ?

have you removed them and driven the car without them ?

 

[Kyle Townend]

are you 100% sure you don't get the noises without the spacers ?

have you removed them and driven the car without them ?

Not yet, thats the next test after it stops raining

 

[Fl@pper]

not leant on the disc guard have ya ?

remove the wheel and spin the disc while the wheels off to see if you pinpoint the area

 

[dozza.13]

Sure its not just your rear pads are knackered??

 

[Ibiza Evo 2]

Maybe the bolts are too long?

 

[Kyle Townend]

Ok, its absolutely pissing it down now.

Will have to jack it up tomorrow, spin the wheels around manually and see if I can pinpoint anything.

How do I get the rear pads off to inspect them, and what is the sign of a knackered pad - will it be obvious?

Cheers

 

[dozza.13]

Yep, took mine apart a few weeks ago cos it sounded like they were constantly catching on the discs, they were basically crumbling cos they had overheated repeatedly, easy to get off, but if you have to change the pads you will need a caliper winding in tool to push the piston back! Not easy at all without one!