Yes — in most cases, you do. When you fit wheel spacers, the original wheel bolts lose some of their thread engagement because the wheel now sits further out from the hub. To stay safe and ensure a secure fit, it’s essential to use longer wheel bolts or a stud conversion kit designed for your spacer size.
Why Bolt Length Matters
Your wheel bolts are responsible for clamping the wheel securely to the hub. When you install spacers, you effectively move the wheel outward by that same thickness — so a 10mm spacer removes 10mm of bolt engagement.
If you continue using standard-length bolts, they may not reach deep enough into the hub, reducing grip strength and risking thread damage or wheel movement.
How to Choose the Correct Bolt Length
The rule is simple:
Spacer thickness = additional bolt length needed.
For example:
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5mm spacer → 5mm longer bolts
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10mm spacer → 10mm longer bolts
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15mm spacer → 15mm longer bolts
Most quality spacer kits from Killer Offset, Demon, and Bimecc are supplied with correctly sized extended bolts to match the spacer thickness. Always ensure you maintain at least 6.5 full turns of thread engagement (or 7–8 threads for stud setups).
Bolt Type and Seat Style
It’s also important to match the seat type of your bolts to your wheels. Factory wheels often use radius (ball) seat bolts, while most aftermarket alloys use tapered (cone) seat bolts. Using the wrong seat type can damage your wheels and cause unsafe clamping pressure.
At Stanced UK, every spacer kit is supplied with the correct bolt seat for your vehicle and wheel type.
When to Use Stud Conversion Kits
For thicker spacers (typically 20mm or more), a stud and nut conversion kit offers extra strength and ease of installation. Studs screw directly into the hub, and wheels are secured with nuts — a setup widely used in motorsport and performance builds.
The Bottom Line
If you’re fitting spacers, you almost always need longer bolts. The right hardware ensures your wheels remain secure, vibration-free, and perfectly aligned. Never reuse standard bolts unless your spacer manufacturer explicitly confirms they’re suitable.
✅ Shop complete hub centric spacer kits from Killer Offset, Demon, and Bimecc at Stanced UK – including correct-length bolts for a safe, perfect fit.
