wheel adapters weaken spindles?

[JoshsExploder]

Howdy... I recently finished lifting my X and got 33x12.50s under her. I used some wheels that I had laying around but they had the 5 on 5.5 bolt patten. I got some 1 1/4 in wide adapters to work with the stock lugs. Has anyone had experience with adapters... does it cause a significant strain on the spindles/ drive components? or no more so than the normal lifting stresses? Thanks in advance.
the vehicle:

the "trimming" required:

 

[97sprt4x4]

It's a controversial topic, so i'll show you the thread and you can draw your own conclusions from it so as to not cause any unrest.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153350

However, the exp looks great, How is it in the mud?

Justin

 

[JoshsExploder]

I can't believe i missed that article. Thanks. I guess I'll just keep an eye on it. Yeah, the trucks great in the mud and snow. Now I can't call into work due to weather though.

 

[97 EB Mike]

First off, nice looking truck!

Secondly, for what it's worth, here is my experience with wheel spacers, or rather my dad's experience.

He bought an '06 1/2 ton Silverado new with the stock steelie wheels. Decided later that he wanted a wheel upgrade, and got a great deal on a set of take off's from a similar year H2. To get them on his truck, he had to buy spacers. Ran the combo for several months, then a suspicious noise cropped up. By this time, the truck was technically out of warranty, but he took it back to the dealer anyway, as he knew these people fairly well. The tech replaced the H2 wheels with the wheels on his personal truck, drove it, and the noise went away. Not satisfied, he pulled the cover off the front diff and discovered shavings that were, according to him, caused by the spacers. I personally don't see how this is possible. Nor does my dad, a veteran maintenance tech of 40 years for a well known jelly producer. Chevy replaced the gears, ate the labor and 1/2 the price of the parts, but still said that the premature wear was due to the wheel spacers. So, I guess my point is, use spacers at your own risk. I've known some people that have used spacers and NEVER had an issue. Then again, there are those with issues that crop up inside 10000 miles.

 

[JoshsExploder]

Man, that's unfortunate for your dad. I'll probably run it with the adapters for awhile. If I come across a good buy on a different set of wheels, I'll do it and save the effort and expense of replacement parts. I learned that lesson. I did the TT, BL, and shackles; and couldn't get an alignment b/c of bad tie-rods, balls joints and a spindle. So the money I "wasted" on the lift, should have gone into proper care.

 

[carlover]

1 1/4" isnt too bad. Just made sure to keep them tight and check your wheel bearings often.

 

[Rick]

I would make sure your wheel studs are long enough. If you have 1/2" studs you need at least 1/2" of stud sticking through your lug nut. 7/16" stud = at least 7/16" of exposed thread beyond the nut.

 

[JoshsExploder]

yeah, I did end up using a cut-off wheel to cut the studs flush at the adapter.

 

[nobodyspecial]

with the 1 1/4 adapters, I am almost positive that you will have to cut the non threaded end off of the studs for them to not stick out farther than the adapter. Otherwise your wheels wont lay flat against the adapter.

That is what I did. My wheel bearings had 130K miles on them when I put my adapters on (temporary until new wheels/sas) but 6k miles later, I dont take it far from home for fear that my front wheels are gonna fall off. With 31x10.5s, at the top of the wheel there is about a 1/4 inch of play due to the bearing wear.

I have new bearings, but am not going to replace them till I have new 5x4.5 wheels and tires for them.

But thats just my experience.