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Date:         Wed, 25 Mar 1998 22:04:13 -0500
Reply-To:     "Michael J. Sullivan" <sullivan@OPENMARKET.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Michael J. Sullivan" <sullivan@OPENMARKET.COM>
Subject:      Warning! Audi and Mercedes wheels are dangerous! (long)
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Dear Volks,

I am surprised that the engineers among us haven't yet chimed in on the issue of using the proper offset wheels with our precious Vanagons. Use of improper offset wheels causes premature wheel bearing failure and delivers poor handling -- the latter especially important in a vehicle that needs all the handling help it can get!

There are many posts in the archive extolling the virtues of Mercedes and Audi rims. Most notable among them is the low cost of these wheels. Yet, neither Audi nor Mercedes wheels have anywhere near the proper offset (in spite of the fact that the bolt holes are the same as the Vanagon). The diagram below shows what happens to the track width of your Vanagon when a larger offset wheel is used -- the track width gets SMALLER (and handling suffers). Note the significant difference in track width between the 6" Audi/Mercedes rims and a 7" rim with proper offset -- the latter delivering over 2 1/2" greater track width!!!!

Besides the unique/unusual offset, Vanagon wheels are notoriously too small in width for today's aggressive tires. Most Vanagons came with 14"x5.5" steel wheels. The 5.5" width relegated us to smallish tire sizes. For those of us who wished to put "bigger" tires on our vans the only other "stock" option was the 14"x6" alloy rims. These alloy rims allowed tire sizes up to 215mm (8.5") in tread width. For larger size tires a 7" rim is required!!!! NOTE: While a 6" rim will work for 215mm (8.5") tires a 7" rim is RECOMMENDED due to the better shape of the sidewall, which delivers better handling.

AND NEVER USE 5.5" RIMS FOR 215mm (8.5") TIRES -- IT IS DANGEROUS!!!!!

Due to the serious consequences of using Audi/Mercedes wheels, I hope that all Vanagon listees will stop promoting the myth that there is a cheap solution to our dilemma. For serious tires (whether off-road or street), a 7" rim with 23mm offset is the only way to go. Both Winkler and Projectwo sell such wheels in 14", 15", and 16" diameters. Unfortunately, they are expensive. But then, so are our Vanagons.

Note; for you bargain hunters, try contacting Mangels of Brasil, makers of Vanagon-specific wheels at:

Mangels Ind. Com. Ltda Divsao Rodas Rod. Fernao Dias - Km 699 Tres Coracoes - MG - Brasil CEP.: 3710-000 Phone: (5535) 239227 Fax: (5535) 2392260

0 23 33 43 offset | | | | | | | | \ : / \____ :____/ \_______________/ \ : \ : \ : \ : \ : \: | |____ | | | | Vanagon 14"x6" wheel w/ 33mm offset |____| | | /: / : / : / : / : _________/_____ ____/ \____ / : \ / : \

0 23 33 43 offset | | | | | | | | \ : / \____ ____/ \_______________/ : \ : \ : \ : \ : \ : \: | |____ | | | | Audi 14"x6" wheel w/ 43mm offset |____| | | /: / : / : / : / : ____________/__ : ____/ \____ / : \ / : \

0 23 33 43 offset | | | | | | | | \ : / \______ : ______/ \________________/ \ : \ : \ : \ : \ : \: | |____ | | | | Winkler 14"x7" wheel w/ 23mm offset |____| | | /: / : / : / : / : _______/________ ______/ : \______ / : \ / : \

Cheers,

Michael J. Sullivan '87 GL Syncro Westfalia w/ chrome 14"x6" 23mm offset Winkler rims & 27x8.5 BFG Radial TA's


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