Putting wheel spacers on a Polaris RZR, Ranger, Sportsman, General, or Scrambler is one of those things that have to be done right, or not done at all. You will find many riders swear by them for improving stability on trails and rough terrain, but there is also a good number who prefer to avoid them, mainly because of concerns about bearing wear or steering feel.
The reality is that, while Polaris wheel spacers can be extremely useful, you only really reap the benefits if you can choose the correct wheel spacers and install them properly. Also, they are not always the best solution for every rider or every setup.
Pros and Cons of Polaris Wheel Spacers
The consensus around Polaris wheel spacers is that they are an effective way to widen a vehicle's stance for better stability and clearance, but they do come with significant trade-offs regarding suspension wear and tear.
Remember, wheel spacers sit between the wheel hub and the wheel itself, pushing the wheel farther outward from the suspension. That sounds simple, but on a Polaris, even a small change in track width can noticeably affect handling, clearance, and ride feel.
5 Pros of Polaris Wheel Spacers
1. Improved Stability
Improved stability is the biggest reason most Polaris owners install wheel spacers. Widening the track (typically by 1-inch to 2-inches per side) reduces body roll on off-camber trails and makes the machine less "tippy". This is mostly noticeable on narrow trail machines, lited setups, and tall tire builds.
Also, with wheel spacers, cornering feels more stable, and the vehicle feels more reliable on uneven terrain. On steep side hills or rocky terrain, even an extra 1–2 inches per side can make the machine feel significantly more planted.
2. Tire Clearance is Better
Wheel spacers are a quick, efficient, and affordable way to stop oversized tires or specific wheel offsets from rubbing against the shocks or fenders.
Anybody who has ridden a Polaris with large tires will testify that the tires sometimes rub against suspension arms, shocks, sway bars, or frame components.
Polaris wheel spacers move the wheel outward, creating extra clearance inside the wheel well, so you can fix that problem without having to make any major modifications to the suspension system.
3. A Wider, More Aggressive Look
Many riders simply prefer the appearance of a wider stance. Some riders have said it is the aesthetic appeal of it: the look and feel of the vehicle.
Wheel spacers push the tires outward and give the machine a broader profile, a more aggressive look, and improved visual balance. This is particularly popular on lifted RZRs and mud builds.
4. Affordable, Especially Compared to New Wheels
Another major advantage of polaris wheel spacers is that they are affordable, at least compared to replacing all four wheels. Instead of buying aftermarket wheels with different offsets, some people think: Why not use spacers to achieve a similar stance for a fraction of the cost?
So, in general, if you are a budget-conscious Polaris owner who primarily wants to improve the stability of a vehicle and handle “big tire” rubbing issues, you will probably lean towards getting Polaris wheel spacers.
Cons of Polaris Wheel Spacers
Again, Polaris wheel spacers also have trade-offs, especially if you use low-quality spacers or incorrect installation methods. Here are the main cons of Polaris wheel spacers
1. Increased Stress on Bearings and Suspension
Pushing the wheels outward increases the scrub radius and puts extra leverage on wheel bearings, ball joints, and axles. So, most people who install Polaris wheel spacers do notice that the bearings wear out much faster on lifted machines. This is one reason you will notice that mud riders often replace bearings more frequently.
To be clear, small spacers usually create modest increases in wear, but extremely wide spacers combined with large tires can accelerate bearing failure.
2. More Axle Stress
Polaris wheel spacers can be dangerous if you fail to drive carefully. Aggressive riding with spacers can increase the risk of snapping axles or CV joints, particularly on Polaris models
3. A Heavier Steering Feel
A wider stance usually increases the amount of effort you need for steering. This is not a major con for most power-steering-equipped Polaris models, but on machines with large tires, wheel spacers may make steering feel heavier, increase bump steer, or change steering feedback.
4. More Mud and Debris Spray
When wheels are pushed farther outward, they throw more mud, water, rocks, and trail debris. Again, not a major red flag, and you can definitely minimize this by adding fender extensions. However, you must be aware that there will be an increase in door splatter, side panel damage (potentially), and general messiness.
5. Possible Vibration Issues
If the Polaris wheel spacers are cheap or not properly installed, it's going to be a problem. They can cause wheel wobble, vibration, uneven tire wear, or unsafe wheel mounting. Hub-centric spacers are usually far safer and smoother than universal spacers.
When Are Polaris Wheel Spacers Worth It?
Again, if you are a budget-conscious Polaris owner whose principal goal is to improve the stability of your vehicle and take care of rubbing issues, Polaris wheel spacers are definitely worth it. Here are some situations in which Polar's wheel spacers just make sense:
1. You are running larger tires.
If your tires rub, wheel pacers can solve the problem quickly and affordably. For many Polaris owners, spacers are the simplest way to fit upgraded tires without buying new wheels.
2. You own a narrow trail machine.
Some Polaris models feel relatively narrow from the factory. Adding spacers can improve confidence on side hills, rocky trails, etc. Trail riders often consider this one of the most noticeable handling upgrades.
3. You Have a Lifted Machine
Lifts raise the center of gravity on a lifted machine, but wheel spacers help offset some of that added height by widening the stance. With wheel spacers, a lifted setup feels substantially more stable.
4. You Like Your Factory Wheels
Many Polaris owners actually prefer their stock wheels. Instead of having to replace them entirely, wheel spacers let you keep the OEM wheels, improve stance, and gain clearance. You save money while still changing the machine’s geometry.
What Are the Best Polaris Wheel Spacers?
The best Polaris wheel spacers are usually hub-centric, made of billet aluminum, properly machined, and vehicle-specific. Choose dedicated 6061 billet aluminum bolt-on spacers with a 4/156 bolt pattern.
The best and most common Polaris wheel spacer sizes include 1 inch, 1.5 inch, and 2 inch spacers. Amongst these, 1–1.5 inches per side gives a noticeable stability improvement, while avoiding excessive stress.
Key Features of Good Polaris Wheel Spacers
- Hub-centric design: Hub-centric spacers fit tightly around the hub itself rather than relying entirely on wheel studs. This is one of the most important features.
- Billet Aluminum Construction: High-quality billet aluminum spacers are strong, lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and durable.
- Proper stud quality: Good spacers typically use hardened studs, quality threads, and corrosion-resistant hardware. Very wide spacers create larger geometry changes and more bearing load.
- Vehicle-specific fitment: The best spacers are designed specifically for Polaris bolt patterns and hub sizes.
OMTech 4pcs 4x156 ATV Wheel Spacers: Best Wheel Spacers for Polaris Ranger, Polaris RZR XP 1000, Polaris RZR, and More
This Orion Motor Tech wheel spacer kit is designed to improve the cornering, stability, handling, and control of your all-terrain vehicle by adding 4 inches to its axle track
The 4-lug wheel adapters are made from solid blocks of T6 aircraft-grade aluminum to keep them lightweight but highly durable and strong; the 16 Dacromat-coated M12x1.5 bolts included are 7-10 times more corrosion resistant than the competition.
This wheel adapter set fits 2013-2020 Polaris Ranger and most Polaris RZR ATVs from 2014 to 2020; see above for the complete fitment list of Polaris RZR XP 1000s, Polaris Trail 900s, and more!
Polaris Wheel Spacers vs Aftermarket Wheels: What's the Real Difference?
The primary difference between wheel spacers and aftermarket wheels lies in how reliable the hardware is and how complex they are to install, not in mechanical leverage. Most people make the mistake of assuming that wheel spacers are harder on wheel bearings than aftermarket wheels.
That is not what experts say. Many industry experts have clarified that, if you push the center line of the tire out by 2 inches, the mechanical leverage and stress on your hub, ball joints, and bearings are virtually identical, regardless of whether you are using a spacer or a wide-offset wheel.
Polaris Wheel Spacers vs Aftermarket Wheels: Key Differences Summarized
| Feature | Polaris Wheel Spacers | Aftermarket Offset Wheels |
| Cost | Budget-friendly option ( about $100 - $150 per axle). | Expensive option ($600+ for a full set of rims). |
| Failure Points | Adds 8 extra lug nuts per axle that can loosen. | Zero added failure points; bolts directly to the OEM hub. |
| Scrub Radius Impact | Moderate to severe (widens track indiscriminately). | Variable; can optimize backspacing to reduce steering feedback. |
| Aesthetics | Retains factory looks unless matching aftermarket wheels. | Completely upgrades the styling and stance of the vehicle. |
| Ease of Maintenance | High maintenance; requires removing wheels to re-torque inner nuts. | Low maintenance; normal, single-stage wheel lug torque checks. |
- Wheel spacers are often better if you want a lower-cost upgrade, you like your factory wheels, only need moderate clearance, or you want a quick stability improvement.
- Offset wheels are often better if you are building a serious long-term setup, upgrading wheels anyway, or want maximum customization.
- Many aggressive off-road builds eventually move toward offset wheels, but wheel spacers remain extremely common because they work well for many riders.
Polaris Wheel Spacer Tips
- Never use washers: Do not stack standard washers over the studs to build spacing; this can easily lead to catastrophic stud failure.
- Always Threadlock: Always apply Blue Loctite to the vehicle’s original studs before securing the spacer nuts.
- Pay attention to torque sequence: Use a real torque wrench to torque the spacers to the hub, and check them again after your first ride.
- Match lug sizes: Older Polaris models (like the RZR 800) use 3/8x24 studs, while newer units use M12x1.5 studs. Ensure your spacer matches your machine's thread pitch.
Final Thoughts on Polaris Wheel Spacers
Polaris wheel spacers can improve stability, increase tire clearance, widen the stance, and make a machine feel more confident on difficult terrain.
For many riders, especially trail riders and lifted-machine owners, spacers are absolutely worth it when installed correctly and kept within reasonable widths. The key is choosing quality hub-centric spacers, installing them properly, and using realistic spacer sizes for your riding style and tire setup.
When done correctly, Polaris wheel spacers can be a practical, affordable upgrade that noticeably changes how a machine looks and performs on the trail.
You may also be interested in our complete guide on choosing the best wheel spacers for a Polaris Ranger.
