In a message dated 12/11/01 11:49:57 AM, derekdrew@rcn.com writes:

<< So, in short, I would avoid the gowesty wheels pending exploration of whether the ET turns out to be near 30 and the KG ratings turn out to be near 900. And don't put that number in their head before finding out what number *they* offer as these things have a smudge factor. >>

<< That's because all bearings are set up for a certain ET, and if you go very far away from the factory ET you will see premature bearing failures. The difference between the factory ET30 and this wheel's ET53 is large. Michael Sullivan's research (see his Web site), suggests that if the ET is to stray, it should stray into the 20s, not up into the 30s, 40s, and 50s, and our European T3 experts seem to agree, typically choosing to go into the 20s (e.g., ET25) when they do stray from ET30.>>

ET or offset is dependant on the width of the wheel. The wider the wheel, the lower the offset number-given in milimeters. A correct offset, with offset being the distance from exact center of the wheel to mounting surface-where the wheel makes contact with the hub on your bus, will always try to place wheel center line in the same general place in regards to your wheel bearings, distance your given tires will be from your suspension on the inside and distance your given tires will be from your sliding door when ope ned.

For factory 5.5 inch wide wheels, VW specs et36; For factory 6 inch wide wheels, VW specs et 30 (the 6mm differance places the slightly wider wheel back within the same general center line of the 5.5 wheel) For factory 6.5 wheels like the SA wheels, the et is also 30, why its the same as the 6 inch wide, I don’t know, but I would think they should really be more like et27 or 28. For a 7 inch wide wheel, the offset should be et24 or 25. For 8 inch wide wheels like Ronal R9‘s in 16x8, the et is 11. These will probably work best for those Double/Single cabs out there because the sliding door will probably rub on most tires used on a rim this wide.

Variances of offset plus or minus about 5mm will probably not have any disceranable effect, but I think trying to stay within the stock guideline is a target, go wider rather than narrower, and variances of 30mm without the use of spacers is not good. This reduces track by more than an two inches (about 1 1/8 on either side) and will probably wear your bearings in new and unusual ways. The EV wheels may fit and work but it is not optimum.

Raul Cisneros 87 Syncro Westy 90 Westy GL