Stupid Offset Question
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Stupid Offset Question
I was just sitting here wondering why is there a minimum offset? I understand that the maximum, or at least I think I do, is to clear the brakes right? But what would happen if you used say a zero offset? Would it just be fender problems, is that the only reason there is a minimum? Dexter I am sure you can help here.
Stephen
Stephen
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Car Info: 03WRX=sold 08STI=newhotness
Offsets that are too small put too much stress on the hub and wheel bearings and all that stuff, you'll have to replace em like hotcakes... throws off your alignment too I believe.
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An offset of zero would move your tire out about 2 inches and hit the fenders as well as stress your bearings and suspension bushings. This would be a "deep dish" type of wheel.
Last edited by Dexter@tirerack; Jul 31, 2003 at 01:58 PM.
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Alright, I thought the only problem with different offsets was just the rubbing fender. So what if I was to say go to like a 35 offset, that would stress the bearings but I can't imagine it would be much more stress than stock. Is this correct? Like how important is the exact offset for cars, how far off can you be?
Stephen
Stephen
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From: Warsaw, Indiana
Car Info: 02 WRX Wagon White
It stresses them more to a degree. Picture a negative 2 foot offset. The tires would be about two feet out of the wheel wells. Does this seem like it would stress the bearings? It's all about leverage - like putting a pipe on the end of a wrench to effectively lengthen the handle - it puts more "stress" on the nut with the same measure of force from you. You can fudge a few mm on offset with acceptable results, but the further the center the wheel is from the center point between the two bearings, the stress increases exponentially.
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Yeah but I am just thinking about older muscle cars. I have a 65 dart gt that is built and it has a zero offset. but then you get dragsters with deep dish and from what I understand they don't do anything diff. with their axle set up. So why are there not catastrophic failures of bearings on dragsters and older muscle cars? Just a question.
Stephen
Stephen
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Posts: 681
From: Warsaw, Indiana
Car Info: 02 WRX Wagon White
There are differences between inner and outer bearing spacing - most drag cars have a straight axle. With a straight axle, the torsional load is all but removed because of the solid link to the differential in the center.
Last edited by Dexter@tirerack; Aug 1, 2003 at 09:54 AM.
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