Date:         Thu, 26 Mar 1998 11:06:12 -0500
Reply-To:     Michael Sullivan <sullivan@OPENMARKET.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Michael Sullivan <sullivan@OPENMARKET.COM>
Organization: Open Market
Subject:      Re: Go Jump...Re: Warning! Audi and Mercedes wheels are
              dangerous! (long)
Comments: To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Any auto engineers out there wish to chime in on this?

My own experience with over half dozen german cars is that ANYTHING that deviates
from their specifications is indeed dangerous -- even if only to your wallet!
However, common sense dictates that a smaller width track will adversely affect
handling and that in itself is truly dangerous -- especially on an automobile
whose handling is already marginal. And that's good enough for me. The increase in
wheel bearing wear due to improper offset is a side-issue as far as I'm concerned
-- but others might want to be concerned about this more than I am.

What I find amusing is how people will defend the indefensible.

Cheers,
MJS



JordanVw wrote:

> well, if the're "so dangerous"  then what will happen?  you have to use the
> longer studs for the rear, and just use audi lug bolts for the front, and a
> miniscule spacer up front on some wheels.  what can happen?  there is no way
> for the wheels to fall off.. the van handles the same.  have you ever run audi
> or mercedes wheels on your Vanagon???  I have.  i have done this conversion
> twice, and am about to do it again, to put some 15" audi turbo wheels on my
> '84.
>
> dont complain about something if you havent tried it yourself to see how it
> really works..
>
> let me reiterate, people...  there is NOTHING unsafe about running audi turbo
> or mercedes wheels on your vanagon if you use the proper lug nuts.   these are
> the same wheels used on the turbo quattro... they've been run thru all kind of
> off-road road rallies... they are VERY strong wheels..
>
> chris



--
Michael J. Sullivan
Director of Catalog Design
Open Market Inc.
******************************************
   work: http://www.openmarket.com
   play: http://www.hsdesign.com
******************************************