Car: 2009 Vantage w/sport package
Spacers: Adaptec 20mm front, 23mm rear.
Goal: have to be reversible (no stud cutting), easy to install (no stud replacement), even front/rear look (no 11/23 setup).


Since I have the sport wheels, in the back, there is *almost* no mod required. The only issue I had was the stock studs barely touching the bottom of the wheel pockets:



So I just used a large drill bit to add a little clearance:



















As for the fronts, it was a bit more complicated. Because the spacers are 3mm thinner than the back ones, the stock studs are protruding 3 additional mm, and add the fact that the front wheels are narrower, they have less deep pockets, resulting in an interference issue. I solved the issue in 2 steps. First, I cut the stock front studs 2-3 mm. I know, cheating here... but since the first 2-3 mm have to threads, there is no consequences:















Then , on step 2, I went a little more radical: enlarging the wheel's pockets. Yes, it looks like ****, but I don't have machining tooling. Anyway, it's hidden on the hub. And the contact surface is still all good:




Final result:





I know, i sould get closer pictures, they will come.

 

I wasn't expecting to find this type of DIY mod on this forum but koodos to you.

Personally I would have swap studs before drilling my rims but "to each there own" as wheels can also easily be replaced.

Wheel spacers don't pass safety in my province but they are totally removable so no worries.

When I removed my Asanti forged rims and installed stock 7-spokes, the offset difference was disappointing...so wheel spacers might be in my future.

 

oops, double post

 

looks great

I'm just debating what to do with my spacers

I think i have to source longer studs and just change them out

Graze

 

Looks great with 20mm on the front axle.

Why didn't you go H&R 23mm rear and front?
The 3mm difference would have prevented drilling the wheel and met your goal.

Goal: have to be reversible (no stud cutting) - not met since wheels and studs are damaged, easy to install (no stud replacement)- not met since work on all four corners required, even front/rear look (no 11/23 setup) - not met with 20 front and 23mm rear.

 

Because I was told that 20mm would "fit", plus I was concerned about going too wide. Anyway, even with 23mm up front, some adjustment would have been required as the wheels pocket are less deep than rear ones. It's up to someone else to try.



Wheels and studs are damaged? You're joking, right?


As for the even front/rear look, how can you say that the goal was not met?? Not that the stock front/rear wheels/fender edge distance are equal to begin with...


You may have your own opinion, but I personally met my goals. If I want to remove the spacers, it will take 15 minutes to put the car back to stock.

 

To be fair, you did pretty much butcher the front wheels. Studs, no biggie.

 

Well, that's one way to get it to work!

I have spacers on my Vantage with the same sport wheels and I replaced the studs. Better than hacking up a $5000 set of wheels. I'm not worried about going back to stock since there are so many mods on the car the wheel spacers are the least of it.

 

Good job!
I previously did the same exercise, including milling-out the recess holes on the rims. However, I noticed under spirited driving that the Adapted spacers would show some light contact graphite-grease coming out (which I applied to the surface) there where they flex most; i.e. between the holes that connect the rim. Needless to say this only happened on my rear axle and as a result I ordered the longest M14 studs available and went for a re-stud install for ease of mind.

 

23mm H&R do fit without scratching the sport pack wheels sockets.


The OP was yours right?

Damaged studs:
Going over to butchered sport pack wheels:

Now I'm wondering if 20 is a smaller number than 23?!!
The tire, wheel and axle width is different no matter what. The gap to the fender is not aligned as well. That means the only real even look would be same spacer width.

removing spacers does not align with the goal of reversible mod.
- Studs were cut and need to be replaced.
- All wheels are damaged and should be replaced when you sell the car.

I would go nuts if I was buying a car and my safety would be at risk by butchered wheels and cut studs. There is a reason the material is that thick in this pockets.

No matter what, it looks great with the 20 mm spacers on the front and enjoy her as much as you can.
I have 11mm H&R on the front axle and thought about to align the spacer with the 23mm in the rear.

 

Please look again. The removed material from the studs has so thread. This is a non issue. Period. Studs needs replacing? Come on...


The wheels... I could just go to a machine shop and ask them to clean my "amateur" job by milling the wheels nicely, but personally, not worth the hassle. This is a cosmetic issue, nothing more. Telling that this is a safety issue is just plain exaggeration.


All my goals are met, no matter what your opinion is.

 

I like the stance but the side of your rear bumper and side sills will be getting a lot more stones... do you plan on using something to protect them like Expel...

 

was surprised to see this mod being done on $$$$$$ astons
back in my VW bug kit car days i used wheel spacers to
change rims to a more common bolt pattern for more selection
of wheel.not really to change wheel base,
23mm seems quiet a lot ..,this will put more load on the wheel bearings
and change the camber on the suspension slightly,. over time you will probably see
the inside of the tires wear
just saying ! from experience

 

Good point. Both sides are covered by a protective film.

 

VW or Aston, they are just cars. They're no space shuttles.


True that there is more load on wheel bearings, but a lot of members here are running 23mm in the back without issues. No effect on static camber though. Alignment was done as per factory specs.