Date:         Sun, 6 Mar 2005 12:38:33 -0800
Reply-To:     mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: [syncro.org] Wheel offset
Comments: To: Michael Knight <vwdormer@HOTMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <BAY22-F26F892A1D805AB15AD1B00CD5E0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

AFAIK, the stock 15" Audi wheels always need to be machined to fit over
the center grease caps in the front. Then you will need spacers to
correct the ET. How much correction depends on the tire size, since the
tire wants to rub at the upper control arm area. Then you need longer
studs and/or lug bolts so you have enough threads left using the
spacers. I have run Audi wheels on my 2wd before, ET45. With the correct
fitting VW South African 15" wheels available for the last several years
it is probably not worth the trouble to make the Audi Turbo wheels fit.
Simpler to use Mercedes wheels since these don't need the center holes
enlarged but they do usually need the lug holes enlarged. Some 15"
Mercedes rims don't need spacers, some need thin spacers, some need huge
spacers. Longer studs/lugs are generally needed even without spacers
since most non-VW alloys are thicker at the hole area than the Vanagon
studs and lugs can safely work with. Not enough threads stick through.

Mark

Michael Knight wrote:

> Diameter 15, Width 7, 45mm offset, Bolt Pattern 5 X 112mm, Audi A4 1.8T
>
> Does all this mean that I can't run these Audi A4 wheels on my 85 2WD GL?
> With Spacers?
>
> Michael Knight
> '77 Westy Deluxe, "el Verde"
> '85 Vanagon GL, nameless
> http://photos.yahoo.com/electrictrain@sbcglobal.net
>