PLEASE HELP! ECS Spacers causing vibration

ask499 · 04-25-2019, 05:05 PM

Hey all,

I have a pair of 15mm spacers in the front and a pair of 20mm in the back. The look of the car is fantastic with the 20 inch wheels. The one problem I am having is I feel a vibration in my steering wheel and when I hit acceleration for take off the entire front end starts to vibrate and even felt in the passenger side.

Any suggestions as what can be wrong?

these are the spacers below

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...003990ecs03kt/

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...003990ecs04kt/

Maverik259 · 04-25-2019, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ask499

Hey all,

I have a pair of 15mm spacers in the front and a pair of 20mm in the back. The look of the car is fantastic with the 20 inch wheels. The one problem I am having is I feel a vibration in my steering wheel and when I hit acceleration for take off the entire front end starts to vibrate and even felt in the passenger side.

Any suggestions as what can be wrong?

these are the spacers below

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...003990ecs03kt/

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...003990ecs04kt/

Check the torque on the bolts. Did you install extended bolts? May need to send em back. Try and narrow down which ones are doing it. You sure it's the spacers?

ask499 · 04-25-2019, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Check the torque on the bolts. Did you install extended bolts? May need to send em back. Try and narrow down which ones are doing it. You sure it's the spacers?

Yes they came with the extended bolts. I hand screwed in the bolts and then torqued to 90. What is the correct torque amount you guys suggest?

are the lugs what can be the only concern?

Maverik259 · 04-25-2019, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ask499

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Check the torque on the bolts. Did you install extended bolts? May need to send em back. Try and narrow down which ones are doing it. You sure it's the spacers?

Yes they came with the extended bolts. I hand screwed in the bolts and then torqued to 90. What is the correct torque amount you guys suggest?

are the lugs what can be the only concern?

Ya unless they're not balanced. Then that would require you to get them replaced. But take em off and see if it still does it.

ask499 · 04-25-2019, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Ya unless they're not balanced. Then that would require you to get them replaced. But take em off and see if it still does it.

Took them off today and the car rides so much better..... IDK what to do cause I miss the look already :-(

Maverik259 · 04-25-2019, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ask499

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Ya unless they're not balanced. Then that would require you to get them replaced. But take em off and see if it still does it.

Took them off today and the car rides so much better..... IDK what to do cause I miss the look already :-(

Tell ECS and have em ship you a new set....

sj22 · 04-25-2019, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ask499

Hey all,

I have a pair of 15mm spacers in the front and a pair of 20mm in the back. The look of the car is fantastic with the 20 inch wheels. The one problem I am having is I feel a vibration in my steering wheel and when I hit acceleration for take off the entire front end starts to vibrate and even felt in the passenger side.

Any suggestions as what can be wrong?

these are the spacers below

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...003990ecs03kt/

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...003990ecs04kt/

Are they hub centric? get a new set and try and eliminate the issue.

I have H&R spacers and absolutely no issues.

r33_RGSport · 04-25-2019, 10:30 PM

That's why I only sell H&R.
Got a few companies offering me their product or even private labeling, but I don't trust their quality and I don't want to risk you guys and my business.
Making a spacer is not hard.
Finding a good source of material are hard these days.

Mega-Ken · 04-26-2019, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

That's why I only sell H&R.
Got a few companies offering me their product or even private labeling, but I don't trust their quality and I don't want to risk you guys and my business.
Making a spacer is not hard.
Finding a good source of material are hard these days.

Quality parts from a reputable vendor and thats how you run a business.

alphaod · 04-26-2019, 09:43 AM

Well the inside of the wheel rim and the rotor hub are both rough and together they fit together fine. Assuming the face of the rotor hubs are probably also kind of rusty, I would suggest cleaning the mating surfaces (both rotor side and rim side) then try again. First start with a rust remover on a rag, even a wire brush on the rotor side. The anodized finish of those spacers you posted wouldn't sit very well on a rough surface perhaps being just a little unevenly sitting can be a problem. Cleaning it would let it sit much closer. I'm pretty sure ECS would want you to do this before letting you exchange it (they have a reputation they need to hold as well).

Googone20 · 04-26-2019, 09:58 AM

I use a wire brush attachment on a drill to clean the hubs and rotor face every time I mount my wheels. I also coat the hubs and faces with Anti-seize. This prevents the surfaces from bonding to each other and becoming stuck, and it also sucks the spacers down tight to the hubs when you torque them down.

1norseman · 04-26-2019, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ask499

Hey all,

I have a pair of 15mm spacers in the front and a pair of 20mm in the back. The look of the car is fantastic with the 20 inch wheels. The one problem I am having is I feel a vibration in my steering wheel and when I hit acceleration for take off the entire front end starts to vibrate and even felt in the passenger side.

Any suggestions as what can be wrong?

these are the spacers below

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...003990ecs03kt/

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...003990ecs04kt/

Those kits states:
Expand your wheel options by dialing in fitment of 72.6mm centerbore wheels on your 74.1mm hub

If that is what you have, they are not hubcentric fit to your stock F15 wheels.

Edit: I have used ECS spacers in the past and they are good quality, but ECS is not always on top of what you actually need, like Ben (r33_RGSport) is.
If you are using 74.1mm centerbore wheels on spacers made for 72.6mm centerbore wheels, it will explain your problem.
You will either need to buy new spacers, or buy hubcentric rings. (Not sure if Ben sells the hubcentric rings or not).

In my opinion, you are better off trying to sell the ECS spacers, and buy new correctly matched sets from Ben!

alphaod · 04-26-2019, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Googone20

I use a wire brush attachment on a drill to clean the hubs and rotor face every time I mount my wheels. I also coat the hubs and faces with Anti-seize. This prevents the surfaces from bonding to each other and becoming stuck, and it also sucks the spacers down tight to the hubs when you torque them down.

I would suggest doing a clean mounting first to see if there is anything wrong with the spacers. After everything is deemed fine, then put the anti-seize on there.

Googone20 · 04-26-2019, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1norseman

Those kits states:
Expand your wheel options by dialing in fitment of 72.6mm centerbore wheels on your 74.1mm hub

If that is what you have, they are not hubcentric fit to your stock F15 wheels.

Edit: I have used ECS spacers in the past and they are good quality, but ECS is not always on top of what you actually need, like Ben (r33_RGSport) is.
If you are using 74.1mm centerbore wheels on spacers made for 72.6mm centerbore wheels, it will explain your problem.
You will either need to buy new spacers, or buy hubcentric rings. (Not sure if Ben sells the hubcentric rings or not).

In my opinion, you are better off trying to sell the ECS spacers, and buy new correctly matched sets from Ben!

This may actually be your problem. ECS does sell two different sets of spacers for the X5’s. Make sure you are using the 74.1mm to 74.1mm ones. If your one side is a 72.56mm hub, that is why you have issues. BMW’s are very sensitive to hubcentric issues.

ferrarif1 · 04-26-2019, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Googone20

I use a wire brush attachment on a drill to clean the hubs and rotor face every time I mount my wheels. I also coat the hubs and faces with Anti-seize. This prevents the surfaces from bonding to each other and becoming stuck, and it also sucks the spacers down tight to the hubs when you torque them down.

Only coat the hub. The mechanical clamping force of the wheel mounting face against the brake rotor is what supports the wheel and it's critical this area is free of any lubricant.

Googone20 · 04-26-2019, 01:31 PM

I agree with you there. I use a couple of swipes just to prevent the spacer from bonding to the rotor surface. Not sure if you have every had this happen, but it can be a nightmare situation to get off.

parkstr8 · 04-26-2019, 01:42 PM

Having had spacers of some sort on almost every of my last 25 or so cars...I can say a few things:

1: hub centric is a must if at all possible. And I mean an exact fit.

2: Hub rings are ok, but if they are plastic they wear out and have to be replaced depending on how often they are on and off the car.

3: Quality of the spacer material/manufacture matters. Some are softer aluminum, and when they get torqued, or over torqued, or over torqued on one of the bolts, it can cause super small surface variances that are exaggerated when the wheel in spinning.

4: Wheel size, tire size, combined weight and size of the spacer all make a relative difference. See 1-3 above.

I have had lots of brands, H&R, Ichiba, ECS, China direct, a few others I can't remember.

Only go with top brand names and make sure they are not fakes, and this will reduce the issues. I have had a car that no matter what brand, what ever I did - there was always a vibration as long as a spacer was on.

turboawd · 04-26-2019, 08:46 PM

Take the spacer and place on the hub. Is there any play?
Then take spacer and set it inside the wheel bore. Is there any play there?
If no and no. Then you should be ok.

r33_RGSport · 04-26-2019, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphaod

Quote:

Originally Posted by Googone20

I use a wire brush attachment on a drill to clean the hubs and rotor face every time I mount my wheels. I also coat the hubs and faces with Anti-seize. This prevents the surfaces from bonding to each other and becoming stuck, and it also sucks the spacers down tight to the hubs when you torque them down.

I would suggest doing a clean mounting first to see if there is anything wrong with the spacers. After everything is deemed fine, then put the anti-seize on there.

I include a packet of anti-seize for each pair of spacer order. For free.

wearenh · 04-27-2019, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turboawd

Take the spacer and place on the hub. Is there any play?
Then take spacer and set it inside the wheel bore. Is there any play there?
If no and no. Then you should be ok.

1. this is not a rust/ antiseize / torque problem

2. the OP gave us the part numbers of the spacers he bought

3. those spacers have an carside 74.1 diameter, wheelside 72.6 diameter

4. the OEM F15 wheels have a 74.1 diameter

5. therefore, there is 74.1 - 72.6 = 1.5mm gap between spacers and wheel

6. a gap allows the wheel to be offcenter, causing massive vibration

7. you bought the wrong spacers

8. return these, sell them, or trash them ... buy correct spacers

turboawd · 04-27-2019, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wearenh

1. this is not a rust/ antiseize / torque problem

2. the OP gave us the part numbers of the spacers he bought

3. those spacers have an carside 74.1 diameter, wheelside 72.6 diameter

4. the OEM F15 wheels have a 74.1 diameter

5. therefore, there is 74.1 - 72.6 = 1.5mm gap between spacers and wheel

6. a gap allows the wheel to be offcenter, causing massive vibration

7. you bought the wrong spacers

8. return these, sell them, or trash them ... buy correct spacers

Yes. Ok. But i was just suggesting a visual method of seeing if the spacers are the right size.

wearenh · 04-27-2019, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turboawd

Yes. Ok. But i was just suggesting a visual method of seeing if the spacers are the right size.

I agree, no issues

04-25-2019, 05:05 PM	#1
ask499 New Member 4 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2018 x5 5.0 saphire black Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: long island, ny iTrader: (0)	PLEASE HELP! ECS Spacers causing vibration Hey all, I have a pair of 15mm spacers in the front and a pair of 20mm in the back. The look of the car is fantastic with the 20 inch wheels. The one problem I am having is I feel a vibration in my steering wheel and when I hit acceleration for take off the entire front end starts to vibrate and even felt in the passenger side. Any suggestions as what can be wrong? these are the spacers below https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...003990ecs03kt/ https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...003990ecs04kt/
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

04-25-2019, 10:30 PM	#8
r33_RGSport General 12971 Rep 18,716 Posts Drives: G09 XM, G05 X5 40, 991.2 T Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (6)	That's why I only sell H&R. Got a few companies offering me their product or even private labeling, but I don't trust their quality and I don't want to risk you guys and my business. Making a spacer is not hard. Finding a good source of material are hard these days. __________________ Email:sales@rgsport.com \| IG:RGSport_USA \| Web:RGSportShop.com PM for Everyday DEALS!! MSS • iSweep • RaceChip • Sterckenn • AutoTecknic • Akrapovic • Vossen Wheels • Eventuri Active Autowerke • KW • H&R • Ohlins • Remus • and more...
	Appreciate 7 maDjzo861.50 1norseman398.00 alphaod1149.50 mrod81207.50 HJ478.00 OFFWHITEX5325.50 Teufelshund152.50 Quote

04-26-2019, 09:43 AM	#10
alphaod Mmmmm… 1150 Rep 2,426 Posts Drives: F15 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 xDrive50i [10.00]	Well the inside of the wheel rim and the rotor hub are both rough and together they fit together fine. Assuming the face of the rotor hubs are probably also kind of rusty, I would suggest cleaning the mating surfaces (both rotor side and rim side) then try again. First start with a rust remover on a rag, even a wire brush on the rotor side. The anodized finish of those spacers you posted wouldn't sit very well on a rough surface perhaps being just a little unevenly sitting can be a problem. Cleaning it would let it sit much closer. I'm pretty sure ECS would want you to do this before letting you exchange it (they have a reputation they need to hold as well). __________________ 2015 BMW X5 xDrive50i BMW CCA 509766
	Appreciate 1 r33_RGSport12971.00 Quote

04-26-2019, 09:58 AM	#11
Googone20 Lieutenant 176 Rep 401 Posts Drives: 2015 X5, 2007 M6 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Lake Orion, MI iTrader: (0)	I use a wire brush attachment on a drill to clean the hubs and rotor face every time I mount my wheels. I also coat the hubs and faces with Anti-seize. This prevents the surfaces from bonding to each other and becoming stuck, and it also sucks the spacers down tight to the hubs when you torque them down. __________________ 2015 BMW X5 35d Msport Carbon Black/Mocha Nappa 2013 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Diamond White Pearl/Cocoa 2007 BMW M6 Sapphire Black Metallic/Black 2005 Ninja 636 Lime Green
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-26-2019, 01:31 PM	#16
Googone20 Lieutenant 176 Rep 401 Posts Drives: 2015 X5, 2007 M6 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Lake Orion, MI iTrader: (0)	I agree with you there. I use a couple of swipes just to prevent the spacer from bonding to the rotor surface. Not sure if you have every had this happen, but it can be a nightmare situation to get off. __________________ 2015 BMW X5 35d Msport Carbon Black/Mocha Nappa 2013 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Diamond White Pearl/Cocoa 2007 BMW M6 Sapphire Black Metallic/Black 2005 Ninja 636 Lime Green
	Appreciate 0 Quote

		BMW X5 and X6 Forum (F15/F16) > BMW X5 (F15) and BMW X6 (F16) Forum > BMW X5 and X6 (F15/F16) Forum
PLEASE HELP! ECS Spacers causing vibration

04-26-2019, 01:42 PM	#17
parkstr8 Lieutenant 562 Rep 530 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW X5 MSport Arctic Grey Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Seattle & Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Having had spacers of some sort on almost every of my last 25 or so cars...I can say a few things: 1: hub centric is a must if at all possible. And I mean an exact fit. 2: Hub rings are ok, but if they are plastic they wear out and have to be replaced depending on how often they are on and off the car. 3: Quality of the spacer material/manufacture matters. Some are softer aluminum, and when they get torqued, or over torqued, or over torqued on one of the bolts, it can cause super small surface variances that are exaggerated when the wheel in spinning. 4: Wheel size, tire size, combined weight and size of the spacer all make a relative difference. See 1-3 above. I have had lots of brands, H&R, Ichiba, ECS, China direct, a few others I can't remember. Only go with top brand names and make sure they are not fakes, and this will reduce the issues. I have had a car that no matter what brand, what ever I did - there was always a vibration as long as a spacer was on.
	Appreciate 2 r33_RGSport12971.00 HJ478.00 Quote

04-26-2019, 08:46 PM	#18
turboawd Banned 1636 Rep 2,995 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 35i Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Take the spacer and place on the hub. Is there any play? Then take spacer and set it inside the wheel bore. Is there any play there? If no and no. Then you should be ok.
	Appreciate 0 Quote