Wheel offset and rim width

[deckeda]

I've read here that our Accords "do best" with wheels having a +42 offset --- but that ignores rim width, which as it changes also changes the effective distance between the rim's inner and outer edges and the car.

It would seem that wheels wider than stock should need to have slightly less offset than stock rims, because retaining the same offset would mean it's split evenly across the rim --- and so a wider such rim would perhaps stick out too far beyond the fenders.

But that assumes a stock rim fills out the wheel well completely and already brings the tires out to the edge. Which they don't.

So here's what I'm trying to figure out:

If the +42 offset quoted is based on what the OEM 15" alloy wheels are (I assume?), then something with a little wider rim (6.5") and +45 offset will likely clear all of the suspension stuff OK and will push the tires out a little (widen the track), but too far?

The alterior motive:
I'm considering new rims for my Element, and if I do a 5-lug changeover on my Accord might gain a "free" set of 16"s for it ...

[k-mart]

Re: Wheel offset and rim width

Originally posted by deckeda
The alterior motive:
I'm considering new rims for my Element, and if I do a 5-lug changeover on my Accord might gain a "free" set of 16"s for it ...

seems like everyone attempting the 5lug get in over their head with problems, but the best of luck to you

[deckeda]

... that's why I'm hoping that f22a completes his with good news ... sounded like he'd done the fronts and fixed the rubbing problem ...

But my first problem is finding 17s or 18s for my Element, to free up the E's wheels for the Accord ... actually that isn't true. I need the cashola first.

[PakaloloHonda]

Re: Re: Wheel offset and rim width

Originally posted by k-mart
seems like everyone attempting the 5lug get in over their head with problems, but the best of luck to you

You know .. I for one cant WAIT for one of us to do this mod .. the options that will exist will be .....

Its gotta be *huge* $$$ as well ...

A Hui Hou !!!
Tomi

[AccordWarrior]

Re: Re: Re: Wheel offset and rim width

Originally posted by PakaloloHonda
You know .. I for one cant WAIT for one of us to do this mod .. the options that will exist will be .....

Its gotta be *huge* $$$ as well ...

A Hui Hou !!!
Tomi

I believe TypeSbaby has a 5 lug conversion running Racing Harts, but I could be mistaken.

[uncle_el]

Re: Wheel offset and rim width

Originally posted by deckeda
I've read here that our Accords "do best" with wheels having a +42 offset --- but that ignores rim width, which as it changes also changes the effective distance between the rim's inner and outer edges and the car.

It would seem that wheels wider than stock should need to have slightly less offset than stock rims, because retaining the same offset would mean it's split evenly across the rim --- and so a wider such rim would perhaps stick out too far beyond the fenders.

But that assumes a stock rim fills out the wheel well completely and already brings the tires out to the edge. Which they don't.

So here's what I'm trying to figure out:

If the +42 offset quoted is based on what the OEM 15" alloy wheels are (I assume?), then something with a little wider rim (6.5") and +45 offset will likely clear all of the suspension stuff OK and will push the tires out a little (widen the track), but too far?

The alterior motive:
I'm considering new rims for my Element, and if I do a 5-lug changeover on my Accord might gain a "free" set of 16"s for it ...

cb7's are typically ok with anywhere between +40 to +45 offset, regardless of the diamter or width of the wheel. the caveat is that you'd be hard pressed to find a set of wheels that are wider than 7.5 inches at that offset (+40 to +45), short of ordering a set of custom wheels.

remember, the more positive/higher the offset, the closer the wheel is to the vehicle. the difference between +42 and +45 is 3mm, i.e. 3mm closer to the vehicle. 3mm is 1/8 of an inch. (quick link on how to convert millimeters to inches in table format ).

in any event, you're probably not close to getting beyond the fender until you're using a 7.5 inch wide wheel with a low offset (closer to +40).

[porter843]

RE:Wheel offset and rim width

I just put a set of 17x7 +40mm offset with 215/45R17 wheels on my '92. I installed a set of Eibach Sportlines and KYB AGX Shocks with a full camber kit. I was pretty disappointed when I put the wheels on to find that they don't have enough positive offset to get them under the fender without rubbing. After seeing the rub pattern on the wheel and the inside of the fender there is about a 1/16" rub burn on the fender from high speed cornering. If I was able to find a 17x7 wheel with a +42 or +45 offset that would have alleviated the problem. Unfortunately I now have a set of wheels and tires that are too big for my car. I wish I hadn't had a testosterone fit in trying to get big wheels and gotten some smaller ones that would not rub. The wierd thing is that the fronts don't rub but there is a much bigger gap between the front fender and the wheel. The gap between the front wheel and the fender is 1 7/8" where the gap in the rear is only 3/4".

[AccordWarrior]

I just put a set of 17x7 +40mm offset with 215/45R17 wheels on my '92. I installed a set of Eibach Sportlines and KYB AGX Shocks with a full camber kit. I was pretty disappointed when I put the wheels on to find that they don't have enough positive offset to get them under the fender without rubbing. After seeing the rub pattern on the wheel and the inside of the fender there is about a 1/16" rub burn on the fender from high speed cornering. If I was able to find a 17x7 wheel with a +42 or +45 offset that would have alleviated the problem. Unfortunately I now have a set of wheels and tires that are too big for my car. I wish I hadn't had a testosterone fit in trying to get big wheels and gotten some smaller ones that would not rub. The wierd thing is that the fronts don't rub but there is a much bigger gap between the front fender and the wheel. The gap between the front wheel and the fender is 1 7/8" where the gap in the rear is only 3/4".

Don't worry, you're not alone on this. I was purchased a set of 17x7's without even considering the offset since they were on my friend's 96 SE-R. Much to my horror they were a +35 offset. It happens to the best of us.

[uncle_el]

I just put a set of 17x7 +40mm offset with 215/45R17 wheels on my '92. I installed a set of Eibach Sportlines and KYB AGX Shocks with a full camber kit. I was pretty disappointed when I put the wheels on to find that they don't have enough positive offset to get them under the fender without rubbing. After seeing the rub pattern on the wheel and the inside of the fender there is about a 1/16" rub burn on the fender from high speed cornering. If I was able to find a 17x7 wheel with a +42 or +45 offset that would have alleviated the problem. Unfortunately I now have a set of wheels and tires that are too big for my car. I wish I hadn't had a testosterone fit in trying to get big wheels and gotten some smaller ones that would not rub. The wierd thing is that the fronts don't rub but there is a much bigger gap between the front fender and the wheel. The gap between the front wheel and the fender is 1 7/8" where the gap in the rear is only 3/4".

is it the fender well (inside) or the fender (outside)?
if the problem is only in the rear, is it during cornering where the problem occurs, or is it with the load capacity in the rear, which is exacerbated during cornering?! unless you have 4ws, the rear tires aren't turning.

could be the camber kit...
could be the amount of toe in/out...
could be the size (i.e. sidewall height) of the tires...
could be a combination of all of the above factors...

[porter843]

same same

The rear camber was at -2.0 and the front was at 0.0 when I took it to the shop, I didn't rub on the way to the shop. When I left the shop my wheels were in specification, then the rubbing and such became real. The only thing in my trunk is a sub enclosure that is pretty heavy for me to lift up but not so heavy that it should make my car sink like it is in the rear.

The camber kits do push the tops of the wheels outward to adjust camber.
When I drive with my stock wheels on with the same suspension setup, the car rides perfectly, it just looks stupid lowered with 14" wheels. I look all through the picks here and other sites that have cars lower than mine with the wheels tucked inside the fender. I was told by a guy from a customizing shop that if I put 205/40R17 that I wouldn't have this problem but that is only going to buy me 0.6", that might be enough to stop the rubbing.

The edge of my wheels are directly below the outside of my fender, not sticking out, the rub marks are on the outside edge of the tire close to the sidewall, The rub marks on my fender are 3/16" from clearing the inside of the fender.

So to make a short story long, it appears that it is a combination of all of the above. It is a very frustrating thing to get a new set of wheels and tires and the next day have to buy new tires. Or New springs to raise the vehicle. I like how the car rides and handles now, I need to find the right combination of offset and tire size that will work correctly, unfortunatly that is an expensive thing to figure out.

[uncle_el]

The rear camber was at -2.0 and the front was at 0.0 when I took it to the shop, I didn't rub on the way to the shop. When I left the shop my wheels were in specification, then the rubbing and such became real. The only thing in my trunk is a sub enclosure that is pretty heavy for me to lift up but not so heavy that it should make my car sink like it is in the rear.

The camber kits do push the tops of the wheels outward to adjust camber.
When I drive with my stock wheels on with the same suspension setup, the car rides perfectly, it just looks stupid lowered with 14" wheels. I look all through the picks here and other sites that have cars lower than mine with the wheels tucked inside the fender. I was told by a guy from a customizing shop that if I put 205/40R17 that I wouldn't have this problem but that is only going to buy me 0.6", that might be enough to stop the rubbing.

The edge of my wheels are directly below the outside of my fender, not sticking out, the rub marks are on the outside edge of the tire close to the sidewall, The rub marks on my fender are 3/16" from clearing the inside of the fender.

So to make a short story long, it appears that it is a combination of all of the above. It is a very frustrating thing to get a new set of wheels and tires and the next day have to buy new tires. Or New springs to raise the vehicle. I like how the car rides and handles now, I need to find the right combination of offset and tire size that will work correctly, unfortunatly that is an expensive thing to figure out.

not that i'm a wheel and tire expert, but i too think the problem may be solved with a 205/40 tire.
my wheels and tires are 17 x 7, +42 offset, 215/45... and i don't have the problem you speak of. but i also don't have a camber kit, nor have i had an alignment in quite a while.

i still find it odd that only the rear wheels rub, while the front do not. it makes me wonder the exact specifications of the rear wheels... as if someone at the tire shop put on a different set of wheels or something. generally, when people have problems with rubbing, it's the front wheels, not the rear ones.