How to Install ATV & UTV Wheel Spacers

Yes. High-quality wheel spacers are safe when they are properly installed and maintained. They are commonly used to increase track width, improve stability, provide additional tire clearance, and enhance handling on uneven terrain.

For a safe installation, make sure the wheel spacers sit perfectly flush against the wheel hubs, tighten all hardware to the recommended torque specification using a torque wrench, apply blue thread locker where recommended, and re-torque the wheel spacer nuts after the first 25–50 miles (40–80 km) of riding.

When installed correctly and inspected periodically, wheel spacers provide a safe, reliable, and long-lasting upgrade for both recreational and utility ATVs and UTVs.

Re-torque the wheel spacer nuts after the first 25–50 miles (40–80 km) of riding. After that, check the torque as part of your regular maintenance routine—at least once or twice a year, or more frequently if your ATV or UTV is used in demanding off-road conditions.

It's also a good idea to verify the torque before long trips or after a hard impact, as these situations can place additional stress on the wheel and suspension components.

Wheel spacers improve stability by increasing your ATV or UTV's track width, moving the wheels farther apart for a wider stance. This helps reduce body roll during cornering and provides more confidence when riding on uneven terrain, off-camber trails, or side hills.

A wider stance can also improve steering feel and reduce the likelihood of the vehicle feeling tippy in certain off-road situations.

Yes. Wheel spacers can provide additional clearance between the tires and suspension components, making it possible to fit larger tires on many ATVs and UTVs.

However, wheel spacers do not increase vertical ground clearance. For significantly larger tires, a lift kit may also be required to provide the additional suspension clearance needed to prevent rubbing during steering or suspension travel.

Not necessarily. While installing wheel spacers on all four wheels generally provides the best balance and overall stability, the ideal setup depends on your vehicle and your goals. Some ATVs and UTVs have different front and rear track widths from the factory, so using different spacer thicknesses on each axle can help achieve a more balanced stance. That's why wheel spacers are available in multiple thicknesses to suit different applications.

The right wheel spacer thickness depends on your vehicle, wheel offset, tire size, and the amount of additional clearance you're trying to achieve. Common sizes include 1-inch, 1.25-inch, 1.5-inch, and 2-inch, but there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Always choose wheel spacers specifically designed for your ATV or UTV, and follow the manufacturer's fitment recommendations to ensure proper fit and safe operation.

Not sure which wheel spacer thickness is right for your vehicle? Contact our team and we'll recommend the ideal option based on your ATV or UTV.

Not necessarily. Wheel spacers do increase the load placed on wheel bearings by moving the wheels farther away from the hub. However, when properly sized and used as intended, this additional stress is generally minimal and does not typically cause premature bearing wear on well-maintained ATVs or UTVs.

In fact, oversized tires, aggressive riding, heavy loads, and poor maintenance usually have a much greater impact on wheel bearing life than wheel spacers themselves. For most ATV and UTV applications, we do not recommend using wheel spacers thicker than 2 inches.

No—not when they're installed correctly. If you experience vibration after installing wheel spacers, it's usually a sign that something isn't seated or tightened properly.

Remove the wheel and inspect the installation carefully. Make sure the wheel spacer sits perfectly flush against the wheel hub, the spacer nuts are tightened to the recommended torque specification, and the wheel sits flush against the wheel spacer.

In some cases, aftermarket or extended wheel studs may protrude beyond the mounting surface of a 1-inch wheel spacer. If the wheel doesn't have recessed pockets to provide clearance for the stud ends, it may not sit completely flush against the spacer, which can cause vibration. Always verify that nothing prevents the wheel from fully seating against the wheel spacer before tightening the lug nuts.

Lug-centric wheel spacers are centered by the vehicle's lug nuts, while hub-centric wheel spacers are centered by the vehicle's hub using a precision-machined center bore.

Most ATVs and UTVs use a lug-centric wheel mounting system, making lug-centric wheel spacers the correct choice for the vast majority of applications. Most Kawasaki ATVs and UTVs, however, use a hub-centric mounting system and require hub-centric wheel spacers for proper fitment.

Always choose wheel spacers specifically designed for your vehicle to ensure proper centering, fitment, and safe operation.

A clean wheel hub ensures the wheel spacer sits perfectly flush against the mounting surface. Dirt, rust, corrosion, or debris trapped between the hub and the wheel spacer can prevent proper seating and may lead to vibration.

This is especially important on older ATVs and UTVs, where corrosion is more common. Before installing wheel spacers, clean the hub thoroughly and take the opportunity to inspect the wheel studs for damage or excessive wear. A few extra minutes of preparation can help ensure a smooth, vibration-free installation.

Yes. Brake cleaner is an excellent choice for cleaning the wheel hub before installing wheel spacers. It quickly removes grease, oil, dirt, and brake dust without leaving behind a residue, helping ensure the wheel spacer sits perfectly flush against the hub.

For best results, spray the hub thoroughly and wipe it clean with a lint-free cloth. If rust or corrosion is present, use fine sandpaper or an emery cloth to remove it before installing the wheel spacer.

Blue thread locker helps prevent the wheel spacer nuts from loosening due to vibration and repeated impacts during off-road riding. It provides added security while still allowing the hardware to be removed with standard hand tools when needed.

For the best results, apply a small amount of blue thread locker to the vehicle's original wheel studs before installing the wheel spacer.

No. Blue thread locker should only be applied to the vehicle's factory wheel studs, where the wheel spacer is secured to the hub. It is not recommended on the wheel spacer studs that secure the wheel.

Install the wheel lug nuts clean and dry, then tighten them to your vehicle manufacturer's recommended torque specification. This allows the wheel to be removed easily for routine maintenance or tire service while maintaining the proper clamping force.

Red thread locker is designed for permanent or semi-permanent assemblies and creates a much stronger bond than blue thread locker. Removing hardware secured with red thread locker often requires heat, which isn't practical or recommended for routine wheel spacer maintenance.

Because wheel spacers should be inspected and periodically re-torqued, blue thread locker is the recommended choice. It provides excellent resistance to vibration while still allowing the hardware to be removed using standard hand tools when necessary.

No. Never use an impact gun to install wheel spacers. An impact gun can easily over-tighten the hardware, resulting in incorrect torque, damaged threads, stretched wheel studs, or even component failure.

Always hand-tighten the nuts first, then use a torque wrench to tighten them to the recommended torque specification using a star pattern. This ensures proper clamping force and a safe, reliable installation.

Yes. Wheel spacers and lift kits are commonly used together and complement each other well. While a lift kit increases ground clearance and creates more vertical tire clearance, wheel spacers increase track width, improve stability, and provide additional clearance between the tires and suspension components.

For many ATV and UTV applications, combining a lift kit with properly sized wheel spacers allows you to safely run larger tires while maintaining good handling and stability.

No. Never stack wheel spacers. Stacking wheel spacers reduces thread engagement, increases stress on the mounting hardware, and can compromise the safety of the installation. Always use a single wheel spacer of the correct thickness for your ATV or UTV.

No. Installing wheel spacers does not change your vehicle's suspension geometry or alignment settings, so a wheel alignment is not required.

However, if your ATV or UTV already has steering or suspension issues, or if you've recently installed other suspension components such as a lift kit, an alignment may still be recommended.

Yes. Wheel spacers are fully compatible with most factory wheels and are commonly used to improve stability, increase tire clearance, or restore track width after installing a lift kit.

Always make sure the wheel spacer is designed specifically for your ATV or UTV and that the factory wheels sit completely flush against the wheel spacer before tightening the lug nuts.

Always follow the torque specifications provided with your wheel spacers and your vehicle manufacturer's recommended lug nut torque specifications.

As a general guideline, PERFEX wheel spacer nuts should be tightened to:

• 45–55 ft-lbs for 10 mm studs
• 70–80 ft-lbs for 12 mm studs

Always use a torque wrench and tighten the wheel spacer nuts in a star pattern.

For most ATVs and UTVs, you can estimate the stud size by the lug nut socket required. A 17 mm socket typically indicates 10 mm wheel studs, while a 19 mm socket typically indicates 12 mm wheel studs.

Keep in mind that this is a general guideline and there are exceptions. If you're unsure, simply contact us with your vehicle's make and model, and we'll be happy to confirm the correct wheel stud size for your ATV or UTV.

If your Polaris is equipped with 3/8"-24 wheel studs, tighten the PERFEX wheel spacer nuts to 35–40 ft-lbs using a torque wrench and a star pattern.

After installation, re-torque the wheel spacer nuts after the first 25–50 miles (40–80 km) of driving.

rade 12.9 wheel studs offer higher tensile and shear strength than Grade 10.9 wheel studs, making them better suited for the demanding loads encountered during off-road riding. They provide an additional margin of strength under acceleration, braking, cornering, and rough terrain.

At PERFEX, we believe critical mounting hardware should never be a compromise. That's why all of our wheel spacers come standard with Grade 12.9 wheel studs.

Yes. High-quality wheel spacers made from 6061-T6 billet aluminum are more than strong enough for ATV and UTV applications. This material offers an excellent combination of strength, durability, corrosion resistance, and lightweight performance, making it one of the most widely used aluminum alloys in the powersports and automotive industries.

Combined with properly engineered designs and high-strength wheel studs, 6061-T6 billet aluminum wheel spacers are built to withstand the demanding loads of off-road riding.

High-quality wheel spacers do not have a scheduled replacement interval. When properly installed and maintained, they can last the lifetime of your ATV or UTV.

PERFEX wheel spacers are machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum and are backed by a Lifetime Structural Warranty. Periodically inspect the wheel spacers and mounting hardware for signs of damage or loose fasteners, especially after heavy off-road riding.

Yes. Wheel spacers can be removed and reinstalled as long as they are in good condition and show no signs of damage, excessive corrosion, or worn threads.

Before reinstalling, clean the mounting surfaces, apply fresh blue thread locker to the factory wheel studs, and torque the wheel spacer nuts to the recommended specifications. As with any installation, re-torque the hardware after the first 25–50 miles (40–80 km) of driving.