Date:         Fri, 27 Mar 1998 14:14:17 -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: MB/Audi rim dangers.....?
Comments: To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I made a mistake!

The 6" Vanagon alloy wheels have 30mm offset, not 35mm. Thus the revised
calculation below clearly show the detrimental effect of using 45mm offset
wheels:

6"=152mm /2 = 76mm - 45mm = 31mm
   versus
6"=152mm /2 = 76mm - 30mm = 46mm

which is a 15mm difference (for each wheel) times two for a total 30mm shorter
track -- definitely NOT "dick all" at all. In fact, a 1 1/4" shorter track is
considered significant by those who autocross. For a 6000lb vehicle I want all
the handling I can get.

Cheers,
MJS



Tim Smith wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I've added the Audi rims, in 15x6" size.  They are 45mm offset, vs the 35?
> for stock vanagon.  The rims are 6" vs 5.5", a difference of 12.5mm wider.
> So if I look at where the tread centre line on the stock rims was compared
> to the 15" Audi's I get (45-35)-12.5/2 = 3.75mm. A hair over 1/8" shift,
> more technically known as dick all.
>
> Keeping the SAME offset while going to WIDE tires is a problem, tire
> centreline moves way out, bearing forces do go up, tracking/stability and
> steering effort may all change.
>
> I'm keeping my wheels on, the choice of tire types/brands in 15" is worth
> the 1/8" ;)
>
> bye, Tim
>
> PS:  I'd be most concerned about rough machining of the rim centres, clean
> that up with a file and emery cloth to get it radiused and smooth.  Sharp
> corners start fatigue cracks more easily.


Michael J. Sullivan
Director of Catalog Design
Open Market Inc.

'87 GL Syncro Westfalia
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