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Ford Mustang GT 1996-2004: How to Install Wheel Spacers

If stance is something that interest you, then wheel spacers are a must. Check out how to increase you wheel clearance and create a more aggressive stance by learning how to install a wheel spacer.

By Neftali Medina - October 8, 2015
Contributors: Cory6372

This article applies to the Ford Mustang GT (1996-2004).

Wheel spacers are often used in conjunction with aftermarket wheels. It has one job, to securely extend the mounting location of the wheels. Since some aftermarket wheels can be wider than the stock specifications, the wheel spacer allows the needed space to mount them. Installing spacers is a fairly simple process, and can be done in less than an hour. Use these instructions to install a wheel spacer on your Ford Mustang.

Materials Needed

  • 1/2" torque wrench
  • Tire iron
  • Jack stand
  • Jack
  • Needle nose pliers (optional)
  • Flat head screwdriver (optional)

Before explaining how to install a wheel spacer, you should know the difference between the two available units. Slide on spacers are cheaper, but often decided against, as they do not have their own studs and instead use the stock threads. This can result in additional stress to the wheel studs, as the wheel is not fully seated on the hub, but instead on the spacer and then onto the hub.

This article focuses on installing bolt-on type spacers. Bolt-on spacers are actually thread onto the wheel hub and have studs manufactured on top of them, which allow the wheel to be installed securely onto the vehicle. We suggest using bolt-on spacers, as they are way more reliable than the standard slide on spacer.

Figure 1. Bolt-on spacer.

Step 1 – Raise and secure your car

As always, raise the side of the car you will be working on and secure it with jack stands. Please remember to use the appropriate jack points, so you can avoid accidentally bending the chassis of your car.

Figure 2. Raise and secure your car.

Step 2 – Remove the wheel and brake clips

Loosen the lug nuts and remove your wheel from the hub. Now, this next part has the potential to be somewhat tricky; if you glance at an original hub, you'll notice these special clips at the bottom of each stud. Use your pliers or a flat head screwdriver to remove them, so the spacer can sit flush on top of the rotor.

Figure 3. Example of a brake rotor clip.

Step 3 – Install the wheel spacer

  • Take your wheel spacer and slide it onto the stock studs.
  • Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
  • Then torque them down to 90 ft-lbs.
Figure 4. Install the wheel spacer.

Step 4 – Mount the wheel

Install the wheel back in place, remove the jack stand and lower the car. On a stock wheel, you'll notice how it sits nice and flush with the chassis. Now, all you have to do is repeat the process on the other side of the car.

Figure 5. Wheel spacer installed.

Featured Video: How to Install Wheel Spacers

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