What's the current opinion on offset and wheel bearings?

[jetboy]

From searching I see opinions are divided and sometimes change with time

I have a set of fine 16x7 5x114.3 ET42 (offset = 42) wheels.. if I mount them for my winter tyres, will this negatively affect anything? What's the current opinion?

[Crazy_pilot]

I wouldn't be worried about a 42 offset. The wheel is narrower than stock which reduces the impact of the offset change.

Does lower offset increase stress on wheel bearings? Yes. But many people have run lower offset wheels for years with no ill effects, while others have only had stock wheels yet seen multiple bearing failures. My thoughts: While wheels may increase the stress on the bearing there are too many factors affecting service life to point the finger in one direction.

[jetboy]

Hmm maybe I'll just take my chances on the 42mm. I agree losing half an inch does offset the entire issue considering width in general but I wasn't sure if that counts for the ..uhh.. hub centricity, too.

I'm a logician and systematician, not a mechanic or physically oriented technician: It was my perception that a lower offset meant the wheel is mounted further away from it's "centric ideal", putting additional stress on the axel-hub-bearing assembly contributing to failure of the weakest component (the bearing). Is this correct?

In your last paragraph, who is talking? The engineer or the SVX owner or both?

The wheels are five spoke which means easier access to high pressure water, hence easier to clean the well and metal there during salty winter season. Could one say that what I lose in bearings I save in rust?