[DJPete]

Hi All,

I been searching for pictures of Stelvio QV setups with wheel spacers. I'm posting here so people can show off their suspension/wheel/spacer setups to give us some inspiration. I found plenty on the Giulia QV forums, but not much on the Stelvio QV, and if any, very limited pitcures.

All suspension (stock or lowered) and wheel spacer sizes welcome (5mm, 12mm, 15mm, 17mm, 20mm etc).

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's setups - please post the suspension mods along with the photos. Post away!

 

[factoryhack]

It might be that most Stelvio owners are smart enough to recognize how dumb wheel spacers are on a vehicle with an excellent stock suspension set up.

Effing with the load bearing line and scrub radius isn't a good idea, although that's exactly what wheel spacers or altered offset / backspacing does to your car's very carefully engineered suspension design.

 

[DJPete]

I know what's involved as i had many other cars with modified suspensions. Not everyone likes the stock height and massive wheel gap in comparison to a slight drop with lowering springs. Many people have done it successfully without any issues. As long as you don't use crazy thick spacers, and use hub centric, you'll be fine provided that they are installed correctly. A lot of the users in Europe run them except I've only gotten to see very limited pictures or had to ask them on Facebook groups that I've seen to send pictures. They're out there for sure. I posted it here hoping to get some more. Here is one I've seen on H&R lowering springs with only 17mm rear spacers.

 

[factoryhack]

I know what's involved as i had many other cars with modified suspensions. Not everyone likes the stock height and massive wheel gap in comparison to a slight drop with lowering springs. Many people have done it successfully without any issues. As long as you don't use crazy thick spacers, and use hub centric, you'll be fine provided that they are installed correctly. A lot of the users in Europe run them except I've only gotten to see very limited pictures or had to ask them on Facebook groups that I've seen to send pictures. They're out there for sure. I posted it here hoping to get some more. Here is one I've seen on H&R lowering springs with only 17mm rear spacers.
View attachment 29705

I would disagree. While I understood why people like the lowered look, changing the bearing load line to accommodate lowering is extremely hard on wheel bearings and significantly reduces their life.

Hub centric wheels don’t do anything to mitigate an incorrect load bearing line although they’re certainly more stable than lug centric wheels.

You’re also changing the original designed in scrub radius when you change the load bearing line via spacer or offset / backspace.

Maintaining factory scrub radius is vital for vehicle stability when turning, accelerating, braking, or suspension compression.

Depending on if the factory set up is positive or negative, spacers will either make a positive scrub radius more positive, or move a negative scrub radius to near zero, zero, or even positive.

Changing it up changes your suspension geometry creating unintended consequences.

I suppose it’s all about your priorities. Looks vs. functionality and safety.

 

[DJPete]

All things you've mentioned, if done properly, can be fixed. Not only Alfa's, but people do this on all car brands. Yes, the suspension geometry from factory is dialed in and its engineered as such and thats great. But I don't like the look of it - specifically the rear wheel gap. Thats what adjustable upper control arms and alingments are for. In fact, the rear wheel isn't centered within the wheel well from factory when stock and it drives me crazy. Once you see it, you can't unsee it.

 

[factoryhack]

All things you've mentioned, if done properly, can be fixed. Not only Alfa's, but people do this on all car brands. Yes, the suspension geometry from factory is dialed in and its engineered as such and thats great. But I don't like the look of it - specifically the rear wheel gap. Thats what adjustable upper control arms and alingments are for. In fact, the rear wheel isn't centered within the wheel well from factory when stock and it drives me crazy. Once you see it, you can't unsee it.

View attachment 29707

Hey, all I'm saying is there are unintended consequences from screwing with your suspension in an effort to change the visuals. You can modify all you want, but understand you will be changing things that weren't meant to be changed.

Adjustable control arms add yet another variable layer. I would also add that tweaking alignment isn't going to change your bearing load line.

There are plenty of threads here and in the Giulia forum with cautionary tales about how this stuff made for spooky handling characteristics. Bump steer, braking instability, vibrations, odd turn-in feel, tramlining, etc. Most of the vendors who sell these parts have absolutely no idea what they're doing, especially on a Stelvio or Giulia.

Whether those characteristics become an issue also depends on how and where you drive. Is that cloverleaf on your fender for looking good pulling up to valet parking, or does it mean you regularly hammer down twisty country roads at speed?

 

[DJPete]

I understand where your coming from. Part of this thread is to see what other Stelvio QV owners have done to their setups and to compare setups/experiences. I know the suspension geometry will change on multiple variables good or bad. However, it doesn't change the fact that I still hate the wheel gap and want to eliminate it or at least minimize it to some extent. I've spoken to other owners who track their cars on similar suspensions without issue (on facebook groups in Europe) so I'm hoping they will see this and post some pictures/experiences here.

 

[ducky]

Why do you think you need spacers after lowering?

 

[XR4Tim]

Why do you think you need spacers after lowering?

Typically the amount that the wheels are inset becomes much more obvious as the car is lowered and the fender gap goes away.

 

[lost1750GTV]

Search for "call me al" posts.
Or glance at giulia forum, a thread now about 2.0 compared to quad, with pics & track vid of his stelvio

 

[DJPete]

Typically the amount that the wheels are inset becomes much more obvious as the car is lowered and the fender gap goes away.

Yup, this is one of the reasons. It also depends on which tire/rim/size combo as this will change the tire height, offset etc.

 

[GWRmotohead]

yeah, brings the wheels out flush for looks, when one lowers, generally the whole wheel moves in a bit as it moves up in its compression arc,
besides the scrub radius changing, and any camber arms I'd have to change, I'd be curious if larger spacers add enough leverage to make the shorter springs, softer, somewhat compromising the intent of the shorter stiffer springs? one of you ME's can chime in, it maybe negligible.

 

[DJPete]

Speaking of, just got some new springs delivered today and some other goodies. HR lowering springs. 1.6" (40mm) drop all around.

 

[factoryhack]

I understand where your coming from. Part of this thread is to see what other Stelvio QV owners have done to their setups and to compare setups/experiences. I know the suspension geometry will change on multiple variables good or bad. However, it doesn't change the fact that I still hate the wheel gap and want to eliminate it or at least minimize it to some extent. I've spoken to other owners who track their cars on similar suspensions without issue (on facebook groups in Europe) so I'm hoping they will see this and post some pictures/experiences here.

I'm not purposely trying to sound harsh here, just thinking an awful lot of people doing suspension mods aren't aware they are changing some driving characteristics that might bite them in the a** one day.

If someone really knows their stuff and is doing something that has been duplicated before by someone with the proper skills set, sure you can lower your car somewhat safely.

Personally, I like the look of almost any car lowered just a bit with coilovers, etc.

 

[mike8888]

Hi All,

I been searching for pictures of Stelvio QV setups with wheel spacers. I'm posting here so people can show off their suspension/wheel/spacer setups to give us some inspiration. I found plenty on the Giulia QV forums, but not much on the Stelvio QV, and if any, very limited pitcures.

All suspension (stock or lowered) and wheel spacer sizes welcome (5mm, 12mm, 15mm, 17mm, 20mm etc).

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's setups - please post the suspension mods along with the photos. Post away!

Hi All,

I been searching for pictures of Stelvio QV setups with wheel spacers. I'm posting here so people can show off their suspension/wheel/spacer setups to give us some inspiration. I found plenty on the Giulia QV forums, but not much on the Stelvio QV, and if any, very limited pitcures.

All suspension (stock or lowered) and wheel spacer sizes welcome (5mm, 12mm, 15mm, 17mm, 20mm etc).

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's setups - please post the suspension mods along with the photos. Post away!

Flush with fender/body.

 

[DJPete]

View attachment 29762

View attachment 29761


Flush with fender/body.

Which suspension/ spacers all around did you go with?

 

[mike8888]

Which suspension/ spacers all around did you go with?

I did not change the suspension. I know it sits high and there may be a family in the wheel well but I like that look. Akata spacers. Note, my wheel guy does all the work and part selection, he is very good. Slightly larger heavier, perhaps stronger Forged wheels. Car feels more planted, less flex and role. With always new (5k or less) Michelins the thing is on rails. A bit stiffer heavier feel which I like. Not so twitchy. I know the Alfa aficionados will be choking on their tea and scones if they see this post lol.

 

[DJPete]

I did not change the suspension. I know it sits high and there may be a family in the wheel well but I like that look. Akata spacers. Note, my wheel guy does all the work and part selection, he is very good. Slightly larger heavier, perhaps stronger Forged wheels. Car feels more planted, less flex and role. With always new (5k or less) Michelins the thing is on rails. A bit stiffer heavier feel which I like. Not so twitchy. I know the Alfa aficionados will be choking on their tea and scones if they see this post lol.
View attachment 29793

I like those wheels

 

[DJPete]

Dropped off the Stelvio today. Here are pictures of the stock ride height. I'll post pictures once lowered on the H&R springs later this week

 

[mike8888]

Dropped off the Stelvio today. Here are pictures of the stock ride height. I'll post pictures once lowered on the H&R springs later this week View attachment 29817
View attachment 29816
View attachment 29815

Dropped off the Stelvio today. Here are pictures of the stock ride height. I'll post pictures once lowered on the H&R springs later this week View attachment 29817
View attachment 29816
View attachment 29815

Any new pics?