Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 04:33:07 -0800
Reply-To: Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Audi 16 inch wheels
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I am well aware that some Audi and Mercedes wheels can be made to fit on
Vanagons and Syncros. The key words being 'some' and 'made to'. I have
done this myself with 4 sets of these wheels on my own Syncros and 2WDs.
I am not aware of any that just bolt on with no modification, but if
there are some let us know, with part numbers. Sometimes all that is
needed is larger holes for the lugs and different shape nuts/bolts.
Sometimes the center of the wheels must be machined out. Sometimes
spacers are needed along with longer studs. Sometimes all of these mods
are needed. For safety's sake make damned sure that you are engaging
enough threads and using quality hardware.
Just getting the rims to bolt on is only half the story. You then must
have tires that clear the suspension at all times. This is all related
to rim width, tire width, and tire profile. When someone asks if ET45 or
ET37 rims will fit, the answer is not just "yes". Consider the other
factors or at least mention them. Otherwise someone may buy and start
modifying wheels that you say work only to find out that the tires that
came on them don't. And yes, ET37 wheels are generally preferred over
ET45 but not if the ET37s are 7.5 inches wide and the ET45 6 inches. At
least for the kinds of tires I use.
Mark
JordanVw@AOL.COM wrote:
>
> In a message dated 3/10/00 3:46:59 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> drillock@EARTHLINK.NET writes:
>
> << Check the ET number stamped into the rims. Vanagon wheels have ET38 for
> narrow tires and down to ET23 for wider tires. There are modifications
> needed to Audi wheels to put them on Vanagons even ignoring the tire
> interference issue. This is not something for most people to do on their
> own. >>
>
> actually the A8 16" alloys are et37......the A4 16" are et45. the A8 wheel
> being the better of the two (if you can actually find some!! :<) but both
> will work. fyi, theres a pic of the A4/A8 style 5 spoke 16" alloys on a
> vanagon on my website..
>
> <<Check Michael Sullivan's web site for more info on this subject.>>
>
> D'oh.. i think we all know his take on this already....
>
> chris
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