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Anyone install splash guards? I have ppf but still... Slim long ones look like they will work. Only ones on Google search are from Vicrez. Kind of pricey for what they are but look like the ideal, low profile look. Front profile Rear profile
I have PPF on my 24 LC 500 convertible. I've just ordered these in dry-carbon wrap finish. I don't think I'm going to install them just yet though. The reason I ordered it (same source - Vicrez), was to have it ready just in case I pull the trigger on the wheel spacers. Based on the offset of the wheel, I just don't see the need for mudflaps unless you are going to widen the stance.
The more I read about the negative impact and the stress the spacers will apply to the hub bearings, tire 'center', scrub radius and the ovall balance, the more I'm getting scared to do this, and I don't care who makes them or hub centric or not. It's simple physics.
You are in the same place I am exactly. I wasn't aware of the extra wear on the bearings as an issue especially with the small amount of distance the spacer will move the wheel out. Good to know. I do think that the splash guards would look good, though. Especially in the rear where the body falls away more exposing the tire in profile. Still needed on the front, I feel, especially with the spacers. Let me know if you proceed with either spacers or guards. And pics, too!
You are in the same place I am exactly. I wasn't aware of the extra wear on the bearings as an issue especially with the small amount of distance the spacer will move the wheel out. Good to know. I do think that the splash guards would look good, though. Especially in the rear where the body falls away more exposing the tire in profile. Still needed on the front, I feel, especially with the spacers. Let me know if you proceed with either spacers or guards. And pics, too!
Perhaps the tolerance on the suspension is strong enough to be relatively safe but you do hear a lot of comments regarding excessive vibrations, etc..., It's like a crow bar. If you hold the crowbar close to the tip you are trying to pry open, something you reduce the torque. But if you have a longer crow bar, and you hold the bar as far as possible from the tip, you have much more torque 'leverage'. It works the same way in this case. You are extending the wheels (rotating mass) outwards by 20mm. May not sound much, but that will increase the stress it puts on the suspension components and the hub (I can't speak for the suspension arms and the damper). I really want to extend the track for the aesthetics, but I need to do a lot more research regarding the impact / hazard before I go that route. I believe EVERYONE accepts the fact that this is not a good thing to do from a function / stress perspective. But for those who do this, it's a trade off. If the added stress is not 'dangerous' and the ride comfort is not compromised, then it may be a risk worth taking for the aesthetics & some benefits of a wider track.
Have been told they were bad, but then,
Can't get link to work but they said spacers will not hurt bearings??????????? I really like the looks of mine but think I will take them off just to be safe
Have been told they were bad, but then,
Can't get link to work but they said spacers will not hurt bearings??????????? I really like the looks of mine but think I will take them off just to be safe
It’s possible. But we don’t know exactly what the specs are for the bearings. if this was a small car like GR or something in that weight class, i would’ve overlooked. but for the LC, i am concerned.
1. This is a heavy beast. over 4k pounds.
2. Suspension doesn’t use ball joints. all bushings as far as i know. this means the bushing will need to be checked, maintained (replaced) more often. These are the reasons why i am being careful with this on the LC.
All very thoughtful and considered points. However, I feel that < 1" of offset laterally we are talking about compared to the considerable suspension modifications people are doing and the race driving even on stock suspensions people are doing would be exerting a tremendously larger amount of stress than we are talking about. Orders of magnitude more. Plus, wheel changes with modified offsets giving the same look but with wider wheels will certainly put different geometries on these components. Don't you think that these components would be overengineered like all well built cars are. I know Lexus's are. I think for what we are talking about is more of a theoretical tempest in a teapot. But that is just my opinion. Still not decided whether the small amount is worth it, however, but I will probably go ahead with the splash guards, as I think it will look better and have some more protection from rocks and gravel along the underside of the rockers.
I have wider wheels with different than stock offsets. This is not new to me or my LC. I've been doing this for years. As far as splashguards, I have them on my truck Not on my LC
Yeah, I had both thin profile splash guards and spacers on my 2004 SC 430 for at least 15 years. Both improved the look and the splash guards protected the sides of the car. I like the look they gave and the spacers really were needed to get the wheels out to the edge of the wheel well, more so than on the LC. Much better look as the factory wheel and tire position made it look like a railroad car (again, my opinion). Didn't have any problems with it as far as I could tell and no mechanics that I used said anything about them. Even the Lexus dealer service never comment on them with service checks, tire rotation, replacements, brake jobs, etc. They needed way more offset than what we are talking about here. I also have a 2008 Honda Pilot that I bought used for my son already equipped with wider/bigger wheels and tires, and compared to others with the factory set up, looks way better. Have owned it since 2010. Due the the wheel and tire increase, it didn't need the spacers.
My main concern is regarding that fact: Is the small amount needed worth the effort as it is only 0.79" at most. Not the 2+" that you read about with Jeeps, trucks, etc? Don't know. Still, I like the look and stance of the owners posting different wheels with the wider stance provided by the larger/wider wheels they change to, but I love the 2022 Inspiration wheels too much to change them for the wider stance. I went ahead and ordered the Vicrez splash guards to move in that direction, but will wait until I decide on the spacers to get the correct positioning. Thanks all for comments.
Yeah, I had both thin profile splash guards and spacers on my 2004 SC 430 for at least 15 years. Both improved the look and the splash guards protected the sides of the car. I like the look they gave and the spacers really were needed to get the wheels out to the edge of the wheel well, more so than on the LC. Much better look as the factory wheel and tire position made it look like a railroad car (again, my opinion). Didn't have any problems with it as far as I could tell and no mechanics that I used said anything about them. Even the Lexus dealer service never comment on them with service checks, tire rotation, replacements, brake jobs, etc. They needed way more offset than what we are talking about here. I also have a 2008 Honda Pilot that I bought used for my son already equipped with wider/bigger wheels and tires, and compared to others with the factory set up, looks way better. Have owned it since 2010. Due the the wheel and tire increase, it didn't need the spacers.
My main concern is regarding that fact: Is the small amount needed worth the effort as it is only 0.79" at most. Not the 2+" that you read about with Jeeps, trucks, etc? Don't know. Still, I like the look and stance of the owners posting different wheels with the wider stance provided by the larger/wider wheels they change to, but I love the 2022 Inspiration wheels too much to change them for the wider stance. I went ahead and ordered the Vicrez splash guards to move in that direction, but will wait until I decide on the spacers to get the correct positioning. Thanks all for comments.
Seems to me like you are in the exact same boat as I am. I agree with everything you said regarding the stock looks, and having ordered the splash-guards just in case I pull the trigger. If I do this, I would need to commit to being a light driver (no sudden / hard turns) and extra stops at the mechanic to inspect the suspension components.
I am not worried about the extra stress tolerance on the suspension arms, nor the bushings. Bushing can be replaced without spending extravagant amounts of money. I am however worried about the bearings. I need to do some more research regarding what specific bearings are used in our LCs and see if there is a compatible ones out there that more heavy duty (I doubt it). Too many horror stories regarding the wheels falling off due to bad installs, and many not surviving the crash, including the innocent bystandards. Lastly, If I do this, I will be installing it myself, or make sure to let the installer perform the paper test for all wheels right in front of me.
One more thing... I have a 2024 model. And this is my first LC. From what I understand, this model is now using hub bolts rather than the nuts & washers for the install. Looking at Japanese youtube websites, it was done to improve the ride feel and provide more connection with the road... I'm not sure what this means for the available of quaity, compatible spacers out there.
Went ahead with the 20mm spacers front and rear as I wanted to see what the look would be. Quality forged spacers recommended in many reviews as best to have. Checked each with the paper test and was tight all around both at the hub and wheel. Solid attachment and torqued to 103.3 ft/lbs as factory recommended. Both wife and son agree that the look is better with the small added wider stance using the factory wheels. Wife says " looks richer". Haven't had them out yet for a drive as weather has been crappy. Expect to like them as much as I did on my SC430 for years.
Thanks for the write up. That looks really nice! I hope it gives you many years of 'safe' riding without any issues. Will you be adding the mud flaps? If so, I'm curious as to how that mud flap will look on the car. Please post more pics if you decide to add them.
12-22-23 | 08:00 PM
Splash Guards and Wheel Spacers
Not on my LC
