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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: oggy on 23 October 2007, 10:25

Title: Alloy wheels offset
Post by: oggy on 23 October 2007, 10:25

I have seen the recommended offset for a Mk 3 1997 16v. Something like 35-38mm, which is odd, as my spare wheel - standard long beach alloys - is stamped up with ET43 on the inboard face.

However, I have my eye on some shiny new 17 inch alloys and wondered whether an offset of 45mm would cause problems. Car is absoultely standard set up.


Thanks in anticipation

Mark
 

Title: Re: Alloy wheels offset
Post by: R98 HUF on 23 October 2007, 10:27

from memory 38mm is the recomended!!

mine are 35 and i needed a 3mm spacer on the fron to clear the brakes!!

If the PCD is 5*100 id imagine 45 will go on with a full tracking after, im sure some expert will correct me if im wrong

Title: Re: Alloy wheels offset
Post by: jv on 23 October 2007, 10:38

^ that seems strangely back to front as the lower the ET the further away from the brakes they are.

I would think 45 is getting a bit high but then it depends on the width of the wheels as well. Best to try them first if you can :)

Title: Re: Alloy wheels offset
Post by: R98 HUF on 23 October 2007, 10:44

the front caught the brake pad slightly so had to chuck a 3mm spacer on, i dont understand these things but the ones i removed i believe were 38mm os i thought 35mm wheel + 3mm spacer = 38mm
am i wrong?

Title: Re: Alloy wheels offset
Post by: jv on 23 October 2007, 10:51

et35 plus 3mm spacer equals et32 :)

Title: Re: Alloy wheels offset
Post by: R98 HUF on 23 October 2007, 10:55

i thought u added it on not reduced it shows how useless i am.....

it didnt clear the brakes without the spacer but its fine with so thats good enough for me and the tracking was all done after they were fitted and it handles a lot better than it did with the 15's on!!!

Title: Re: Alloy wheels offset
Post by: oggy on 23 October 2007, 12:33

5mm spacer then to get down to 40mm? Will this work?

Title: Re: Alloy wheels offset
Post by: Len on 23 October 2007, 13:02

I have offset of 35mm and that clears the brakes by miles!

Title: Re: Alloy wheels offset
Post by: R98 HUF on 23 October 2007, 14:05

well mine didnt for some reason perhaps i have bigger brakes len  :grin:lol

Title: Re: Alloy wheels offset
Post by: Len on 23 October 2007, 15:14

Have to compare sizes some day! :wink: :laugh:

Title: Re: Alloy wheels offset
Post by: R98 HUF on 23 October 2007, 15:15

dont want to embarrass you mate  :wink:

Title: Re: Alloy wheels offset
Post by: Len on 23 October 2007, 15:17

You wont! :wink:

Title: Re: Alloy wheels offset
Post by: R98 HUF on 23 October 2007, 15:20

well see!!!!

Title: Re: Alloy wheels offset
Post by: Len on 23 October 2007, 16:54

Yea Yea!

Pop along to Oxford mate!

Title: Re: Alloy wheels offset
Post by: jaybee on 23 October 2007, 18:24

The problem here is that the offset of a wheel does not guarantee it's ability to clear your brakes, it is merely a measurement of the relationship of the bolt-face of the wheel and the centreline of the wheel,
for frontwheel drive cars offset is positive, therefore the bolt face is nearer the outside of the wheel, how the wheel is constructed has more of an impact on whether your brakes will catch, a lot of modern alloys have very curved blades in order to achieve the deep dish look that is associated with negative offset wheels (usually found on the rear of v powerful rear wheel drive cars) ie F40, these can catch your brakes if the radius is so severe that they need to be made very heavy gauge in order to have structural rigidity.

So as stated above, a spacer will reduce the measurement 'c' below, by moving the left hand red line defining 'c'  to the right.....

It's what the metal to the left of this line is doing that I would guess is causing your catchin'


(http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/wheeloffsetpositive.jpg)