Quote:
Originally Posted by Chikubi
ok, so I understand what offset is, how it's measured, how it relates to the rim, but what I want to know is this -- the Fit's standard rim is 15x6 +55 offset, but the average offset for aftermarket rims is always much lower, i.e. the WedsSport SA90's on your site are a 16x7 +45. I've always been told that if you stray from the stock offset you have issues like bearing wear, torque steer, heavier steering, rubbing, etc., none of which I want. What I want to know is, how can you be using a lower offset wheel and not have these problems? Why are there no rims w/ a +55 offset like the stocks? If you go to a lower offset the centerline of the wheel is in a different place than stock, regardless of wheel width, so how does this not cause damage/handling issues? I really want to get some rims for my Fit, but not if it's going to ruin the handling, or even worse, cause damage. Can anyone clarify this for me? Thanks!
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Best question here. Good.
Generally speaking, engineering concerns about bearing loads etc are minimized by keeping the inside edge of the wheel rim in the same place or inside as the stock wheel.The Fit's 6" rim width with 55 mm offset (2.16") puts the inside edge 5.16" inside the hub face ( half the wheel width, 6", plus offset). If you put a 7" wide wheel with 42 mm offset the inside rim edge will be 5.15" (7/2+42/25.4) inside the hub face so you are not going to increase bearing loads or torque steer by a noticeable amount. The weight load is distributed across the whole tread width not equally but substantially so bearings don't see a lot of difference.
However if you use a 6" wheel with 42 mm offset the inner edge will be 4.65" inside(6/2 + 42/25.4). Thats half an inch less than the stock wheel backspace of 5.16" so you will noticeably increase bearing loads and have harder steering as well as noticeable change in camber that may prematurely wear inside tire tread. Those will change handling characteristics.
That help?