Wheel offset, backspacing, etc

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Wheel offset, backspacing, etc

Postby Roddy Riggs » Sun Feb 12, 2006 5:55 pm

OK, I know one of you guys out there can answere this question. When purchasing wheels, what is the difference between backset, offset and inset. Everyone I go to for wheels has a different method of determining how to measure wheels from the hub face. thanks, Rod
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Re: wheel depth

Postby Steve_Cox » Sun Feb 12, 2006 6:05 pm

Roddy Riggs wrote:OK, I know one of you guys out there can answere this question. When purchasing wheels, what is the difference between backset, offset and inset. Everyone I go to for wheels has a different method of determining how to measure wheels from the hub face. thanks, Rod


Hey Rod,

Wheel offset
The wheel's offset is the distance from its hub mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel. To determine wheel offset:
Position the wheel on a flat surface and measure its overall width.
Subtract the backspace and divide by two.
The offset of a wheel can be one of the following three settings:

Zero offset:
The hub mounting surface is even with the centerline of the wheel.

Positive offset:
The hub mounting surface is toward the front or wheel side of the wheel. Positive offset wheels are generally found on front-wheel drive cars.

Negative offset:
The hub mounting surface is toward the back or brake side of the wheel's centerline. "Deep dish" wheels are typically negative offset.

Backspacing:
The distance from the inboard edge of the rim to the mounting face on the inside of the wheel. Backset is a consideration for frame clearance, or in some cases brake clearance.

Hope that helps

Steve 8)
Last edited by Steve_Cox on Sun Feb 12, 2006 8:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby mikeschn » Sun Feb 12, 2006 6:34 pm

Good job summarizing those points Steve.

As a designer I use the wheel offset most often. But people on the floor, seem to use back spacing more, because it's readily available! You might want to consider adding back spacing to your list of terms! ;)

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Postby Steve_Cox » Sun Feb 12, 2006 8:21 pm

mikeschn wrote:Good job summarizing those points Steve.

As a designer I use the wheel offset most often. But people on the floor, seem to use back spacing more, because it's readily available! You might want to consider adding back spacing to your list of terms! ;)

Mike...


No Problemo ;)

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Postby mikeschn » Sun Feb 12, 2006 8:23 pm

That's perfect Steve...

Thanks...

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Postby SmokeyBob » Sat Mar 04, 2006 4:39 pm

To Steve and Mike

Steve
Your examples of offset and backspacing look great but forgive me for being ignorant, I cannot picture in my mind what you just wrote.

Mike
Maybe in the forum index you could start a topic called definitions. For example you could include cad drawings showing what a offset is. And there are a lot of other terms that you experienced builders us that make no sense to me. For a lot of us new people a picture is worth a thousand words.

This might be more trouble than what it's worth, but would you consider it.
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Postby Steve_Cox » Sat Mar 04, 2006 5:26 pm

SmokeyBob wrote:To Steve and Mike

Steve
Your examples of offset and backspacing look great but forgive me for being ignorant, I cannot picture in my mind what you just wrote.

Mike
Maybe in the forum index you could start a topic called definitions. For example you could include cad drawings showing what a offset is. And there are a lot of other terms that you experienced builders us that make no sense to me. For a lot of us new people a picture is worth a thousand words.

This might be more trouble than what it's worth, but would you consider it.




Bob,

Here's a thousand words worth. You don't have to know all that stuff to build a trailer, you just have to have enough room that the tires don't rub on the frame, trailer side or fender.

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Postby Mitheral » Sat Mar 04, 2006 8:14 pm

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Postby SmokeyBob » Sat Mar 04, 2006 11:43 pm

Steve and Mitheral
Thanks for the pics. :thumbsup:

Now I see what your talking about.
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Bolt Pattern

Postby owenmpk » Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:00 am

Not sure where to post this info so I will do it in this thread
Bolt Patterns

6 Bolt Wheels ----------------------------------------------------------

6 on 5-1/2"
Chevrolet - all to '48
Chevy/GMC - P.U., van to '70
- 4x4 P.U., Blazer '71-'89
- LUV 2WD '72-'84
Dodge - D-50, Ram 50 P.U. '79-'87
Ford - Courier PU '72-'84
Mazda - P.U. '72-'89
Nissan/Datsun - P.U.. Pathfinder '67-'89
Toyota - SR5, 4WD P.U., Landcruiser, 4-Runner (some) to '89


5 Bolt Wheels ----------------------------------------------------------

5 on 4
64-69 Mopar "A" 13"
65-76 Mopar "A" 14"
Dodge - Aspen, Dart, Demon, Swinger (w/o discs) '63-'72
Plymouth - Barracuda, Duster, Valiant (w/o discs) '61-'74


5 on 4-1/4
Volvo 140, 164 15"
Volvo - all to '89
Ford - T-Bird '89


5 on 4-1/2 (114.3 mm)
AMC Gremlin, Hornet, Pacer, Javelin, Matator, AMX
AMC - most models (exc. Jeep) '40-'89
Chrysler/DeSoto - all full size RWD cars (exc. Imperial) '37-'89
Datsun/Nissan - 1600-2000 '65-'73
- 300ZX, 200SX V6 (some) to '89
Dodge van
Dodge 1/2 ton PU
Dodge - all full size cars & P.U.'s '37-'89
- Dart, Demon, Swinger '73-'80
Ford 1/2 ton van
Ford Granada, Monarch
Ford - All full size cars '49-'72; '79-'85
- Fairlane '62-'79
- T-Bird '55-'71; '77-'79
- Mustang (5-bolt) '65-'73
- Maverick 5-bolt all
- Mustang SVO '85-'86
- Ranchero '68-'84
- Aerostar, Probe, Bronco II/Ranger to '89
Hudson - all '48-'56
Lincoln - all '70-'72; '80-'89
Mazda - RX7 Turbo, 626, 929, MX6 '86-'89
Mercury - all full size cars '52-'54; '61-'72; '79-'85
- Cougar '67-'79
Mopar '73-up "A" body
Plymouth - all full size cars '37-'89
- Barracuda '70-'74
- Duster, Valiant, Volare '73-'80
Pontiac - Tempest, LeMans '61-'63
Studebaker - all '51-'66
Toyota Crown, Hilux PU
Toyota - 2WD P.U. '69-'89
- Supra Turbo '86-'89
Volvo 122, 1800


5 on 4-3/4
Buick - Regal, Century, Special (most mid-size) '64-'80's
Chevy van
Chevrolet - all (exc as noted elsewhere) '49-'89
Corvette all
Corvair '65-'69 5-bolt
GM compact and midsize
Oldsmobile - 442, Cutlass, F-85, Toronado
(most mid-size) '60's-'80's
Pontiac - GTO, LeMans, Firebird, Grand Prix
(mid size) '64-'80's

5 on 5
Austin-Healy 3000
Buick LeSabre, Centurion, Riviera, Electra
Buick - Electra, LeSabre, Riviera, (most full-size) '35-'87
Cadillac - DeVille, Fleetwood '38-'89
- SeVille '77-'79
Chevrolet 3/4 ton vans
Chevrolet - Bel Air, Biscayne, Impala, Caprice, Kingswood
'71-'76
- above w/HD package wagons '77-'89
- Blazer 2WD '71-'83
Chrysler - Imperial '67-'71
Ford, LTD '73-'75
Ford - T-Bird '72-'76
- Galaxie, LTD, Custom '73-'78
Lincoln - all (exc Versailles) '60-'67; '73-'79
Mercury - all '55-'60
- Cougar, XR7 '73-'77
Oldsmobile - all full size RWD '40-'87
Packard - all '51-'55
Pontiac - all full size RWD '40-'86
Rover


5 on 5-1/2
AMC - Jeep (5 bolt) '42-'89
Chrysler - 8 cyl. & wagon '46-'55
- Imperial '54-'66
Ford 2 ton van
Ford Bronco, F100
Ford - all '28-'48
- full size P.U., van, Bronco '49-'89
International Scout, Travelall
Lincoln - all '52-'60
Mercury - all '39-'51
Suzuki - Samurai '86-'89


5 on 100mm
Buick - Century, Skylark, Skyhawk FWD '79-'87
- LeSabre, Riviera, Somerset '85-'88
Chevrolet - Beretta, Citation, Cavalier, Celebrity, Corsica
'80-'89
Chrysler - Laser, Lebaron '85-'87
Dodge - Daytona, Aries, Charger, Lancer, Caravan '85-'89
Oldsmobile - Calais, Ciera, FWD '82-'87
- Firenza, Omega FWD '79-'86
Plymouth - Sundance '87-'89
Pontiac - 6000, Grand Am, J2000, Sunbird, etc. FWD '82-'87
- Fiero '82-'88


5 on 112mm (4.409)
Audi - 5000 Turbo, Quattro '86-'87
Mazda - RX7 GSL '86-'87
Mercedes - all '77-'89
VW - Transporter, Vanagon '71-'89


5 on 115mm
Buick - Century, Electra, LeSabre, Regal, Riviera (some) '83-'89
Cadillac - Allante, most others '84-'89
Chevrolet - Celebrity '85-'89
Oldsmobile - Regency, Ciera, Cutlass, Delta 88 '84-'89
Pontiac - 6000 '83-'89
- Bonneville, Grand Am '86-'89


5 on 120mm (4.72)
BMW 2500, 2800, 3.0, 520, 530, 630, 730
BMW - all 5 bolt to '89


5 on 130mm
Porsche - 911, 912, 944 to '89


4 Bolt Wheels --------------------------------------------------------

4 on 3-3/4
Austin Marina
Triumph Spitfire, TR7
Lotus


4 on 98mm (3.858)
Alfa Romeo Alfetta
FIAT
Lancia


4 on 100mm (3.93)
Acura - Integra to '89
Audi - most models to '89
Audi Fox
BMW 1600, 2002
BMW - 2002, 300-series to '89
Chevy - Chevette '76-'87
- Spectrum, Nova '80-'89
Dodge - Omni, Rampage, Aries, 024 '79-'85
- Charger, Daytona (FWD) '82-'89
Honda - all (except '76-'80 Accord, Civic) to '89
Isuzu - Impulse, I-Mark to '89
Nissan - Pulsar, Sentra '87-'89
Opel Kadett
Plymouth - Horizon, TC3, Reliant, Voyager '78-'89
Renault - all to '89
Toyota - Celica, MR2, Tercel '86-'89
VW - Dasher, Fox, Jetta, Rabbit, Scirocco to '89


4 on 4
Austin-Healey Sprite
Crosley - all '39-'52
MG Midget
Jensen Healey
Opel Manta, Kadette
GM L-body
Buick Skyhawk '75-'81
Chevrolet Vega, Monza '71-'81
Pontiac Sunbird, Astre '76-'81
Oldsmobile Starfire '75-'81


4 on 4-1/4 (4 on 108 mm)
Alfa Romeo (exc. Alfetta)
Ford - Fairmont '78-'86
- Mustang 4-bolt patterns '74-'93
- T-Bird '80-'88
- Pinto '71-'80
- Fiesta '78-'85
- Escort all (RWD and FWD)
- Cortina all
- Taurus, Tempo, EXP to '89
- German-built Capri I, II, III '69-'8?
Mercury - Capri '71-'88
- Cougar '79-'88
- Merkur, Topaz, Lynx '80-'89
- Zephyr '78-'86
Plymouth Cricket
Porsche - 924 '77-'84
Sunbeam - Tiger, Alpine '65-'70


4 on 110mm (4.33)
Mazda - RX2, RX3, RX4, GLC, 626, P.U. '71-'82
- RX7 to '85

4 on 4-1/2
Acura - Legend '86-'89
Buick - Special '61-'63
Chevrolet
Corvair all 4-bolt
Chevy II all 4-bolt
Sprint '85-'87
Nova ('61-'70)
Datsun/Nissan - most models to '89
Dodge Colt '79-'88
Dodge Colt (early)
Ford
Mustang all '65-'68 4-bolt
Falcon, Maverick, Granada all 4-bolt
Mazda - 626, RX7 '83-'87 ????
MGA, MGB, MGC
Olds - F-85 '61-'63
Plymouth - Arrow, Sapporo '79-'88
SAAB all ???
SAAB - 900 to '87
Toyota - most exc. MR2 and P.U. to '89
Triumph TR 1..6


4 on 110mm (4.724)
Honda


4 on 130mm (5.11)
Porsche - 914 '71-'82
VW Beetle, 411, 412, 1500 Sedan, Transporter/Vanagon
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Postby GuyllFyre » Sat Oct 09, 2010 3:49 pm

Additional VW 4x100 detail:
1978-1984
Rabbit/Golf/GTi and Jetta came with a variety of 13" and 14" 4x100 wheels.

Scirocco - All years and versions came with 4x100.

Cabriolet and Rabbit Convertible up to 1992 - All years and versions came with 4x100.

1985-1992
MK2 Golf and Jetta came with a variety of 13" and 14" 4x100 wheels.

1993-1998.5
MK3 Jetta, Cabrio, and Golf 4 Cylinder typically use 14" 4x100.

Wheel offsets vary from ET35 to ET45.

You can see quite a few of the OEM VW alloy rims in this database:
http://www.4130-products.com/wheels/
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Re: Wheel offset, backspacing, etc

Postby Irmo Atomics » Sat Mar 09, 2013 6:10 am

Is there a way to determine the optimum offset based on the size of the inner and outer bearings? The reason that I ask is that I read that Dexter nev-r-lube bearings require a zero offset, and that got me thinking... one of my trailers has a straight axle with inner and outer bearings the same size, another trailer has a stepped axle with inner bearing larger than outer bearing. Both have zero offset wheels on them (not original equipment). Has anyone had wheel bearing problems that may have been due to improper offset?
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Re: Wheel offset, backspacing, etc

Postby Sidekick » Sun Aug 07, 2016 11:05 am

I got my wheels and tires from a snowmobile trailer. My mechanic friend said they are too small to use on my trailer. I figured if they could haul 2 snowmobiles on the trailer, my little wooden box and fiberglass topper should be ok. 120822 Am I in trouble?
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Re: Wheel offset, backspacing, etc

Postby dancam » Wed Aug 02, 2017 11:26 pm

Irmo Atomics wrote:Is there a way to determine the optimum offset based on the size of the inner and outer bearings? The reason that I ask is that I read that Dexter nev-r-lube bearings require a zero offset, and that got me thinking... one of my trailers has a straight axle with inner and outer bearings the same size, another trailer has a stepped axle with inner bearing larger than outer bearing. Both have zero offset wheels on them (not original equipment). Has anyone had wheel bearing problems that may have been due to improper offset?

For a trailer its almost always zero offset with basically no exceptions. Thats what trailer axles are designed to take and thats what all trailer rims are.
My question is has anyone used wheel spacers with success?
I would want/need about 1/2in thick spacers, or maybe even just 1/4inch.
Going on a 3500 pound axle with 13in trailer tires, trailer should never be loaded over 1800 pounds but will see rough roads.
Any opinions on that? Thanks.


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Re: Wheel offset, backspacing, etc

Postby KCStudly » Thu Oct 12, 2017 11:10 am

It's not so much about imminent failure as it is about longevity; at least not within the practical range of common wheel spacers and rim offsets.

For your extremely modest proposed offsets (1/4 to 1/2 inch) and your well over rated axle hubs/bearings, you will never have an offset related problem. Sure, if you don't grease them properly, or do it in a dirt bowl of a sand pit and fill your bearings full of junk (I exaggerate... maintaining cleanliness during service is paramount) you could still have bearing failures, but they won't be due to unreasonable offset forces.

There are lots of examples here on the forums of people using wheel spacers or non-std wheels, and I don't recall any failures that were directly attributed to non-zero offset.
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