Looking to do some more upgrades to my 2012 X sedan. I have been reading plenty of forums on here which have given me many different thoughts. Here is what I'm planning on getting:


Hotchkis Sways (finally)
Swift Springs
H&R 20mm spacers all around


First, will I be required to get new adjustable end links? Seems as though the consensus is that an AWD that is lowered and has sways on it will require new adjustable end links because the OEM can break. If required, does anyone know where I can get a good set? Searching for them hasn't yielded many good results.


Second, do you recommend the DRS or DRA spacers? Also will 20mm all around cause any rubbing issues? I'm still running stock wheels. I am also planning on getting an alignment after install. Would I require camber kits for all of this or can a normal alignment work out okay?


Third, has anyone done the install of these things themselves? The install of everything seems relatively straightforward and something that I could do, given a decent amount of time.


Lastly, does anyone have any input on this setup regarding other issues that can arise or just have general input on a better setup that I could run?

 

If there's a consensus, it's that aftermarket sways on a lowered car probably reduces the life-span of OEM end-links... but I'm not sure I would even call that a consensus. In other words, it's not something you'll have to address part & parcel with new sways, if ever at all. One thing at a time.

Nope, no issues with 20mm. But if you're talking about the 17" OEM wheels, there's really only so much you can do to make the fitment look more right than otherwise. At the end of the day, the 17's are still going to look weak. As long as you go into this with that compromise in your head, it will be an improvement.

Get your alignment first, and see how it works out. Dropped on Swifts, lots of people get away with acceptable alignment specs without aftermarket camber arms.


Adapters are a lot easier to install. Just take your time and torque things down properly. And don't use those crappy half-height lug nuts that comes with adapters. Buy a set of shorties for the project. Here's a pic of 15mm adapters with short open-ended lugnuts on the plate.

 

Thanks for the reply, Rochester.


I won't worry about end links for now.


I understand that using 17" OEM wheels aren't helping the situation. I would just like to have the wheels brought outwards more to not make it looked so tucked. Do you think using 25mm all around would be better?


Is that spacer the DRA that uses the existing wheel studs, or is that the DRM that has its own integral wheel studs? I might sound un-educated, but what exactly do you mean by "shorties"? Lastly, wouldn't the wheel itself be essentially "resting" on those five nuts once you tighten everything up?

 

I would replace the end links at the same time that you change the sways. The OEM links are crap and will fail; driving you crazy in the process.

The MOOG "problem Solver" end links from Rockauto cost ~$100 total for all 4, and take no time at all to install if done at the same time as the sways.

 

20mm spacers on my G37s with 19" IPL wheels and Eibach springs had the wheels sticking too far out resulting in a lot of road debris all along the sides of the car. It probably was hard on the wheel bearings too. I think you would be better off getting the sport springs and struts or sport springs with Koni struts rather than using spacers.

You'll also have to deal with alignment issues and at least installing adjustable camber arms in the back.

 

I really don't know, but I suspect 20mm is the better choice. It's a toss-up (IMO) between 15mm and 20mm. There's a subjective line you can cross where it could look dumb having all that sidewall poking.


Traditional spacers use longer studs, whereas spacer adapters use the original studs to mount the spacer, and integrated studs to mount the wheel. Adapters will come with a set of 20 lug nuts which will allow for a wheel to be flush against the spacer plate. However, since most every wheel made has a recessed area between the lug holes, you can use a more substantial lug nut here. I called them "shorties" because they're shorter than typical lug nuts. The reason for using them... the little lug nuts they give you are prone to having their head stripped.

Here's a link to the Gorilla spline-drive lug nuts in that previous pic: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001O0CCJW

 

jgronline, could the width/offset of your 19's cause them to automatically stick out further than 17 OEM's?

Rochester, thank you for the explanations. I'll do some more research to see what would be a good combo.

 

I believe the IPL wheels have the same offsets as the sport coupe wheels.
19x8.5 offset 43
19x9 offset 45

 

I have the non-sport AWD stock wheels, 17x7.5. My calculations show that the difference would be ~10mm. By that number, if I put 10mm spacers on mine with stock everything else then they would be where the sport coupe wheels are when stock.

 

Subscribing. This is the exact setup I have in my head with the exception that I have the 9-spoke anny wheels.
Great info in this thread with Rochester leading the way as expected!

 

Here is a good wheel offset calculator that helped me visualize the result of different wheels with and without spacers.

Online Wheel and Tyre Fitment Calculator. Offset, Tyre Stretch and Speedo Error | Will They Fit