12.5mm or 20mm Axle spacers?

[paulous]

I have a late 2001 model Puma and want to fit rear axle spacers. It currently has no spacers and from what I’ve read in this forum it seems on the later models like mine Ford fitted a slightly wider rear axle and did away with the 10mm spacers that were fitted as standard to the earlier models. I’ve also read on here that you can easily get away with fitting 20mm spacers without any issues. However, I’m confused… is this referring to the earlier models or the later models like mine.

I’m also planning to fit 30mm lowering springs. My wheels are the standard 15” with standard ET34 offset.

Basically I want to know if I can fit 20mm axle spacers without the risk of my tyres rubbing the rear arches? Or do I need to play it safe and go for 12.5mm ? Has anyone here got the same setup, i.e. late model Puma , lowered, with 20mm axle spacers?

Help!

Paul

 

[CherryVimto]

Hi Paul

You may be OK with 20mm if on standard wheels/suspension.
I think generally on the later models you would add 12.5mm as I think that would make the rear the same width as the front.

20mm definitely works on the early models as long as the factory spacers are removed) removing 10mm then adding 20mm = 10mm extra).

I may have 20mm fitted to my Mk5 Fiesta but would need to go look at it to confirm, but someone may be along with a more definitive answer before I get round to that!

 

[paulous]

Thanks. The only reason I was slightly worried was with mine being the later model where (apparently) the rear axel is slightly wider than the earlier models , if that's true, who knows!

What years were your pumas??

Sounds like I'm probably worrying for nothing. Right now there's acres of room in there!! Hence I'm lowering and fitting spacers just so it looks vaguely normal.

 

[CherryVimto]

Yes the early beams were narrower hence the 10mm factory spacers - I've just edited my post to reflect that but looks like you got a reply in before I re-posted it!

Mine was an early '98 (narrow beam and factory 10mm spacers) and one was a 2002 Thunder (plus a few in between). I'm sure I had spacers on the Thunder but can't remember what size they were. They may have been 20mm as I sold them to a guy on here... TGPlayer I think it was. He may be able to confirm what size they were.

 

[paulous]

Thanks again, yes I replied before your post was re-edited.

It would be nice to get a definitive answer if possible. I actually have a set of 12.5mm and a set of 20mm so could fit either, but I don't want to mess around fitting and removing, I only want to do it once!

It's confusing but I think most of the "20mm are best" posts relate to earlier models where you'd remove the 10mm's and replace with 20mm's.

 

[CherryVimto]

Hi Paul

I've just trawled through the forum and found my old project thread when I had the Thunder. I see that I did fit 20mm spaces to a later/wider rear beam which worked fine and later fitted AP coilovers and lowered it.

If you go the same route, please make sure you get bolts that are high tensile/the correct shear strength! There is a post on here somewhere that states what size bolts/shear strength you need depending on spacer size.

And you'll have issues with refitting the ABS sensor if you didn't already know that! k:

 

[paulous]

Hi again (sorry don't know your name!),

Thanks, thats great. 20mm should be OK then. I have the correct bolts with mt 12.5mm spacers, but actually still waiting for my 20mm's to be delivered and I forgot to check if they came with bolts (they are NOS Ford items in a bag so not sure if the bolts are in the bag or not). So I may or may not have the correct bolts. But thanks for mentioning, I'll definitely make sure I use the correct bolts.

For the ABS sensor again yes I've read stuff on here but can't fully work out what it means in reality. Do the spacers need to be altered? Or the ABS sensor? I'm giving a job lot of stuff to my local friendly garage to do... fitting the axle spacers, new shocks & springs and a front lower strut brace - they're going to fit the lot along with a service & MOT, so I was going to chance my luck with "you might have issues with the ABS sensor" and see what they encounter... they're usually really good, I've been using them for years and they know my jobs are never straight forward! But yes any heads up I can give them would be really helpful.

Paul

 

[CherryVimto]

OK, the actual ABS sensors, on the rear at least, fit in the hubs but the back part of them is angled at about 45 degrees. When you fit spacers, a part of the spacer takes up the space that the ABS sensor needs which stops the sensor from going back in it's original position. Also, it's very unlikely that the sensor(s) will come out without sustaining damage or even being broken.

A few solutions:
* replace rear loom with that from an Escort estate - both sensors are straight and don't foul the spacers - RECOMMENDED if you have the funds
* hack the sensor about to try and get it to fit
* cut out/modify the spacer to give clearance for the sensor - NOT recommended personally but that's my opinion!

If you break/damage one or both of the sensors you will need to replace the loom anyway, so it may probably be best to buy a replacement before the job is done.

As the spacers go up in size you will be less likely to get the sensors to fit back in.

From a past post on this forum...

Its a regular Ford part first used on an Escort mk7, has a regular Ford part number is available from whatever stock Ford has left or as aftermarket.

Checking through a load of old invoices, the Ford finnis/part number should be 1011582

Tony

 

[paulous]

Hi Tony,

Thanks, this is super-helpful!!!

Like you I don't like the idea of hacking the sensor or the spacer so I'll probably go for the Ford escort option. Doing a quick google and eBay search for Ford 1011582 scores lots of hits so it looks like there's lots of places that sell the escort sensors, non are genuine Ford though, do you think that matters?

Random example :

https://www.worldcarparts.co.uk/ford-escort-rear-abs-sensor-1011582

So will this be a direct easy plug in replacement? And will I need two?? I presume it's one per wheel???

Thanks again,

Paul

 

[CherryVimto]

I've had both Ford and aftermarket and not seen any difference between them.
The second from last one I bought was genuine Ford and was a little over £75 but that was back in 2003 - they had to order that in for me. The last one I bought was an aftermarket item as at the time the Ford ones were pushing well over £100.

If I buy aftermarket I try not to buy 'too cheap'.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Intermot...385476&hash=item51ca3da69a:g:~BUAAOSw2xRYmYFS

You only need to buy one as it serves both sides. The loom plugs in above the centre of the beam and the plug/socket is held in a metal bracket. From the plug it splits in to two parts, one for each side.

Not taking in to account the removal of the actual sensors, removal of the loom itself is easy... If you look at the rear beam you will see a plastic cover that goes from each side towards the middle. That cover is held on to the beam with plastic clips. Those clips have a plastic 'pin' in the middle of them that need to be pushed/knocked through to release them. The loom is held/housed within that plastic cover.

 

[paulous]

Hi Tony,

You are a legend! Great stuff. I'll go for the Escort ABS sensor, in fact I'll order that exact one you've linked to as it's seems reasonable value.

I also found the posts about bolt size and tensile. Seems I need to make sure they are 10.9 tensile and for the 20mm spacers bolt length 50mm I think, like these...

https://www.part-box.com/ford-m10-x-50mm-ht-gr-10-9-hex-bolt-for-rear-hub-spacer-zipbolt-50mm?search=Hub%20spacer&description=true&page=1

I usually get under the ramp when my local mechanic is at work on my car so I'll have a close inspection while he's at it, it all seems to make sense now you've explained it.

So unless anyone has a differing view I'll be going with the 20mm spacers. Along with a full set of new standard shocks, H&R 30mm lowering springs and an OMP lower strut brace... I've been stockpiling parts for a while with a view to improving the handling and stance. Hopefully it'll all do the trick! Shame I can't magic it in to a FRP while I'm at it, but hey...

Paul.

 

[CherryVimto]

Paul

It may be an idea to check the bolt lengths... on a previous post it has been stated that for 30mm spacers you need M10 x 65mm 10.9 bolts. If we were to take the 30mm off that would leave 35mm. Then add 20mm for your spacers that would make the bolt 55mm...??
I'm not sure if it works that way but I would get clarification on the length first.