Offset Question

[B 4 You]

I'm wondering what the minimum recommended offset is for our cars. I know ours is +55, but how low can we go? Obviously spacers could increase a low offset to match, but how thick of a spacer is going to cause damage? I can picture it putting strain onto the hubs and bearings. Basically there are some wheels I'm debating about that have like a +05mm offset. Obviously that's a little low. Would spacers to put that out to an acceptable offset destroy the hubs? Do I have any other options that I'm not aware of?



[/discuss]

[Blacky]

I believe the way it works is spacers decrease the +offset. Wheels with +05 offset would already be sticking out so far that they would not even fit within the fenders. I tried some 18x8 Mustang Cobra rims which were around +20 offset and they stuck out about 2 inches past the fenders.

[B 4 You]

Am I thinking this backwards? It looks like negative would make it stick out

[B 4 You]

Nevermind. I was thinking it backwards. A zero offset is already outside the fenders. Spacers would make it stick out more. I was thinking 5mm + a 50mm spacer = 55mm offset.

[oab_au]

Originally Posted by B 4 You

Nevermind. I was thinking it backwards. A zero offset is already outside the fenders. Spacers would make it stick out more. I was thinking 5mm + a 50mm spacer = 55mm offset.

Changing the offset, moves the center of the wheel off the center of the steering axis. If you go too far, either way, you will get torque steer under acceleration, and brake steering, that moves from side to side on uneven road surfaces.
A little bit won't hurt.

Harvey.

[Conn SVX]

My new are 45 offset and they look great. Thinking 35 would be pushing the envelope.

[Subachouli]

Originally Posted by Conn SVX

My new are 45 offset and they look great. Thinking 35 would be pushing the envelope.

Conn, how wide are your wheels?

Width plays a big part in making certain offsets fit. If someone was trying to fit 9" wheels, they might have trouble with the wheel clearing the suspension at the stock +55 offset. On the other hand, as someone mentioned, that 9" wheel might not clear the fender if the offset was too low.

[Conn SVX]

I have 18" 7.5 wide running 215 tires 55 wall
,

[AlcyoneSVX]

My wheels are 17x8 with a +40 offset with 235/45 tires.
It leaves me with about 1/4 inch clearance
of the rear fenders.