Austarion

I have a really nice set of Auscar 16" wheels from my Prelude that fit onto the hub perfect, but rub on the suspension! I was told it was something to do with the offsets!? Can I get these wheels on or what?

lol. yup,they would do that..:P
you could get some big spacers....

Yeh as tom sed, chances are that there is slim to no chance that u will be able to fit these wheels on. That being sed, try to find out what the offset of the wheel is (ive forgotten how to physically measure it, but u could try looking for the wheel online...most good manufacturers have the offset listed).

If the offset is more than 20mm greater than 18-20mm then u have no chance to get these on (legally that is, not sure about physically)

Less than 20mm greater, u may be able to fit the wheels and depending upon state law, it may be legal (need spacers) but i kno in NSW this would be illegal as spacers are not good at high speed i am told.

HTH

they wont fit, but talk to a brake and clutch or wheel place about bolt on spacers, these are more expensive but legal.

As CussCuss said, try bolt on spacers - actually hub extensions.
Normal spacers are dangerous as they put the weight on the studs and not the hub. The wheels you have - in fact any wheel can be made to fit if it has more offset than standard, but it needs to be done proeprly.

Have a look at Cookies website, his vehicle has proper hub extensions fitted.

The problem is you're trying to put rims with an offset of 38~45 on a car that has an offset of 20. This means (as you found out) the rims will sit 18-25 mm closer to the suspension. Get rid of them and buy something with a more appropriate offset. Whatever money spacers etc will cost, put it in to another set of rims or shipping if the new ones are interstate. And your insurance/police can't get you.

Al - with properly engineered extensions there would or should not be any problems with police. Perhaps the rules in Aus are different but the stresses involved are no different to having a wheel that is manufactured with a mounting face that is the equivalent length of the existing one plus an extension.

The other problem is locating wheels with a suitable offset without paying stacks for them.
Hub extensions in NZ will cost $500-600

Second hand wheels of any style and size $300 +

The sums speak for themselves but like I said maybe youre rules are different to ours.

kiwistar wrote:Al - no different to having a wheel that is manufactured with a mounting face that is the equivalent length of the existing one plus an extension.

Um Ill try that again
Have a look at an XF Fairmont wheel - the face of the wheel sits near the outside edge. In a similar fashion to a front drive offset wheel.
The mounting face is manufactured with a 6mm offset. This means that the mounting face is some 75mm (guestimate) from the outside edge of the wheel.
This would be no different than having a wheel with a 30mm offset with a 45-50mm hub extension.

Hub extensions are legitamate but only if made properly, this does not include extra long studs and big ass spacers.

Like I said have a look at Cookies website, this shows how it is properly done.

Just realised that i cant get on Cookies site at the moment.

Kiwistar, I know what you are saying, but why spend $600 on hub extensions when you could sell the wheels you have then spend $1000 on a set of wheels you don't need to root around with. I also believe if you did it here you'd need to get an engineers certificate to prove it's safe etc. Anyway, if you absolutely adore the rims you have and couldn't bear to part with them then get extensions. If not, save yourself the hassle. :roll:

Bolt on spacers are about $80 each at a place here in canberra but they only go up to 25mm i think

Cheers
Ben

lol and personally i wudnt wanna be putting all the weight of my car on 25mm spacers and the bolts instead of the entire hub...imagine what could happen at high speed if one of those spacers gave in to the weight :S

fr335tyl3r bolt on spacers are safe, they transfer the weight to the hub aswell, you couldnt get them engineered if they were not safe.

thats right, normal spacers put all the weight on the studs where as the bolt on spacers distribute the weight as normal.

and as cuss cuss said the bolt on spacers are safe.

Cheers
Ben

Think of the extra force your putting on your wheelbearings tho. Torque is force*distance, the weight force of the car will remain the same, but the distance at which it is applied is increased. I never had any problems with the wheelbearings on my old car, but when i sold it, the fool that bought it put on 30mm bolt on spacers, and Lenso 17" mags (FWD offset, not sure exact number). All the wheelbearings started complaining, loudly. The wheels were still way to far inside the guards and looked silly anyway. This is the reason for dished mags i think, they give you the extra width, but keep the load point of the wheels where it needs to be.

Then again, its 1:50am, im sick as a dog and just worked a 12 hourday at 2 different jobs, so i could be rambling like a crazyman!

I do agree that there will be more load on the wheel bearings.
isn't the legal maximum spacer width 25mm?? not sure but thats what i was told.

Cheers
Ben