Precision spacers?

**Airin** · 08-05-2004 07:12 PM

So why does it seem to hard to get accurately machined spacers for longboard wheels? The 10mm ones I've been getting from board shops are often 9mm or almost 11mm. Also, often the diametre of the spacer is oversize causing it to wiggle around on the axle. And therefore my wheels either 'tick' as they spin or I find I can't snug the axle nut right down because the spacer is pushing out on the bearing.

A spacer is clearly an inexpensive low tech item but when they aren't very precise they don't do the job very well and are just plain annoying. I'd rather pay a bit (often the shops give 'em to me for free) and get a part that works. And no I don't have the tools to get a piece of metal tube and cut it down to size or grind down an existing but oversize 10 mm spacer. Am I expecting too much to be able to buy a 10 mm spacer that is 10 mm and made to fit a Randal 2 axle?

**Mile_High_Mark** · 08-05-2004 07:28 PM

The spacers we stock/sell are pretty precise. They come from a couple of different sources, but they're all the same (I think). Width is more important than the size of the bore, because once you lock the wheel nut down, that's what matters.

**Airin** · 08-05-2004 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by Mile_High_Mark

The spacers we stock/sell are pretty precise.

Yeah, I found that to be true Mark as I got some 8 mm spaces for my Kryptogrip slalom wheels from you and they are the only spacers I own that actually seem to fit correctly.

All the 10 mm - which I got locally - are often too short and when they're too short AND have too big a bore they really dance around on the axle making quite a din while I skate.

**Anonymous** · 08-26-2004 09:02 AM

There are two "industry standard" sizes for wheel spacers. The dimensions are as follows:-

What we call "10mm" spacers are actually 10.16mm wide.
What we call "8mm" spacers are actually 7.62 wide.

Skaters generally round-up the sizes, and just call them "10mm" or "8mm" to make life simple.

If you have a 10mm spacer that seems more like 8mm, then it probably IS an "8mm". I agree on your point concerning the sloppy fit between the I.D. of the spacer and the O.D. of the axle. This is just plain lazy manufacturing - it should be better.

However, remember that the mechanical function of the spacers is to transfer axial loading ALONG the axle between the inner and outer bearing. A sloppy fit may be lazy, but so long as the spacer is doing it's job - it's not worth losing sleep over.

If you can hear a rattling noise, then re-check that your bearings are sitting flat on the bearing seats inside the wheel. Also check that you are not running an 8mm spacer where you should have a 10mm.

You can machine you own spacers to have a more snug fit around the axle, but you may find that after the heat-cycling of regular use - they may stick to the axles and prove difficult to get off when you change your wheels.

**cooterboy7** · 08-26-2004 10:30 AM

Tom Dub knows his ****. Thanks for informing the less knowledged

**CRASS** · 08-26-2004 11:46 PM

Damn.. T. Dubya, you just made my brain hurt.

**vaguelyevilguy** · 08-28-2004 01:27 PM

Wasn't oust going to come out with a line of precision spacers?

**RustyBurrito55** · 08-28-2004 09:15 PM

i hope so
whenever i try to tighten my bolts until they stop i always hear my bearings making cracking noises and they spin really slow. even when i make it snug so its not even tight they still spin really slow. btw ive never ridden with the axle nuts snug in fear of killing my bearings.

**Michael Billings** · 08-28-2004 09:17 PM

Maybe it is just crappy bearings?

**joseph** · 08-29-2004 08:19 PM

maybe your spacers are not wide enough put a couple of speed rings in with them.

**frank** · 08-30-2004 07:39 PM

So when you say 10mm spacer, thats the length right? So what diameter do you get? I dont really see one thats 8mm inside diameter.

I'm looking around on here http://www.mcmaster.com/
bolts and stuff.