Do wheel spacer installed void the manufactured warranty?

[monk]

I am scheduled for an annual service and wondering if I need to remove the wheel spacer. Any advice would be very appreciated. I have H&R 15mm all around.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by monk

I am scheduled for an annual service and wondering if I need to remove the wheel spacer. Any advice would be very appreciated. I have H&R 15mm all around.

If you have a wheel bearing issue they could. I wouldn't worry about it, though.

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

If you have a wheel bearing issue they will.

Fixed . If I were you, I'd remove them. I know nothing is going to happen during your visit, but if a tech with a keen eye happen to notice the spacers and he records that on their system, bye bye warranty. Why take that small risk when they're so easy to remove? But that's just my opinion. Good luck man.

[SV Concepts III]

If it's not too difficult, it can't hurt to remove them but they shouldn't have an effect on your warranty.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

Fixed . If I were you, I'd remove them. I know nothing is going to happen during your visit, but if a tech with a keen eye happen to notice the spacers and he records that on their system, bye bye warranty. Why take that small risk when they're so easy to remove? But that's just my opinion. Good luck man.

I disagree. As they say there are no guarantees in life and according to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act the dealer would have to PROVE the spacer caused the failure, which he really can't do. Of course that being said I think it is likely they would try to not provide the warranty.

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by Nick@Jlevi SW

they shouldn't have an effect on your warranty.

Originally Posted by swamp2

the dealer would have to PROVE the spacer caused the failure, which he really can't do.

We're talking WHEEL BEARING WARRANTY folks, not the entire warranty. And good luck winning a fight about wheel bearing failure with wheel spacers. It's a no-brainer.

I was just trying to help. With most manufacturers in financial distress, why take chances? It's just once a year, and easy to do. Your call. Have a great weekend gang.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

We're talking WHEEL BEARING WARRANTY folks, not the entire warranty. And good luck winning a fight about wheel bearing failure with wheel spacers. It's a no-brainer.

So was I.

It may be a "fight" initially but if you pushed really hard I suspect you would still win. It is only a slightly more concrete case of something like say higher grip tires causing a suspension failure. It is the same basic argument. One can hypothesize the mod contributed to the higher stress but that is not proof. I am certainly not positive and as mentioned be smart, just take the mod in question off to be safe with your own money if any issue ever arises.

[jml]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

We're talking WHEEL BEARING WARRANTY folks, not the entire warranty. And good luck winning a fight about wheel bearing failure with wheel spacers. It's a no-brainer.

I was just trying to help. With most manufacturers in financial distress, why take chances? It's just once a year, and easy to do. Your call. Have a great weekend gang.

+1 - it would be pretty hard to argue that the spacer did not contribute to accelerated wear because the additional load - however, that also goes for wheel and tire combos that do not provide the factory spec offset.

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by swamp2

It may be a "fight" initially but if you pushed really hard I suspect you would still win.

Nobody sane is going to fight a corporate lawyer over wheel bearings for having spacers (besides, just the consultation fee would probably pay for them), so at the end you'd lose regardless.

Some people feel they can win an argument regardless of how crazy that is, just like debate class in high school, so I'm bowing out of this discussion to avoid a pissing contest. Each owner can take the risk he wants. Have a nice weekend man.

Originally Posted by jml

+1. It would be pretty hard to argue that the spacer did not contribute to accelerated wear because the additional load. However, that also goes for wheel and tire combos that do not provide the factory spec offset.

Absolutely true; that's why it's always ideal to keep the same relative offset (from center of the wheel). However, a wheel spacer jumps at you, while wheel offset doesn't. Same analogy with a CAI or just a racing filter inside stock airbox. Take care.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by jml

+1 - it would be pretty hard to argue that the spacer did not contribute to accelerated wear because the additional load - however, that also goes for wheel and tire combos that do not provide the factory spec offset.

I'll bet most dealers don't care that much as long as they are getting reimbursed for a warranty repair by BMW. As long as they don't note aftermarket equipment on the service order, noone upstream will ever know.

[dawgdog]

I have a good relationship with my service advisor and the dealership in general. The last thing they want to do is get nitpicky about problems that do not yet exist. My car has lowering springs and spacers on my rear wheels and I can almost guarantee you noone is noting this on my chart. Certainly not my service advisor. What they want is a good report on the service experience and repeat sales!

[monk]

Originally Posted by dawgdog

I have a good relationship with my service advisor and the dealership in general. The last thing they want to do is get nitpicky about problems that do not yet exist. My car has lowering springs and spacers on my rear wheels and I can almost guarantee you noone is noting this on my chart. Certainly not my service advisor. What they want is a good report on the service experience and repeat sales!

You have spacers on the rear only? So wider in the rear and not have any issue with the ride quality?

[Technic]

Originally Posted by monk

You have spacers on the rear only? So wider in the rear and not have any issue with the ride quality?

How a properly sized and concentric spacer will have an issue with ride quality?