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How To Choose Wheel Offset
By: harrysacz( 1221Feedback score is 1000 to 4,999) Top 1000 Reviewer
181 out of 191 people found this guide helpful.
Guide viewed: 26540 times Tags: wheel|rim|wheels|rims|offset

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This is to help you understand what offset means when referring to wheels or rims for your car. This guide refers to all wheels, wire wheels alloy rims OEM wheels Dubs etc... 

Overview:

Offset on wheels is basically a measurement on the location of the mounting surface of a wheel, where it bolts to a car, compared to the centerline of the wheel. Offset is a big factor in determining whether or not the shiny new set of wheels you are looking at will fit your car. Offset will determine whether the wheels will stick out too far and rub your fenders, whether they will be too far toward your frame and not fill your wheel wells, or fit nicely filling up your wheel well with chrome.

Offsets:

There are three basic offsets, Negative offset, positive offset, and zero offset. Negative offset is the when the mounting surface is closer to the center of the car compared to the wheel centerline. Positive offset is the opposite, and refers to when the mounting surface of the wheel is farther away from the car than the wheel's centerline. Zero offset refers to a wheel that is neither positive or negative offset. The mounting surface is centered in the wheel.

 

Wire Wheels:

Wire Wheels come in three offsets, standard, reverse, and front wheel drive offset. Standard offset is the offset that will best fit on most rear wheel drive vehicles. Standard offset is a positive offset, but not a high positive offset wheel, like FWD wheels. Standard offset is mostly used on large diameter wheels so that they will tuck in the wheel well of most vehicles.

Here is an example of a Standard offset wheel.

Reverse offset, also known as deep dish is a negative offset. That means the spokes sit farther back in the wheels. This offset gives the deep lip look that a lot of people want on their cars. Most of the time people use reverse offset on smaller diameter wheels that will not rub their wheel well, although reverse offset is available up to 22 inch wire wheels. Reverse offset wire wheels are the main wheel used on lowriders.

Here is an example of a Reverse offset wheel.

Front wheel drive offset, also known as FWD, is a high positive offset wheel. FWD wheels are designed specifically for front wheel drive vehicles. The hubs on most FWD vehicles stick out farther than rear wheel drive vehicles. The FWD wheels are used so that the wheels do not stick out on FWD vehicles. Using any other offset on a FWD vehicle can wear out suspension parts prematurely and is generally not recommended. 

Here is an example of a FWD wheel.

Determining your offset:

If you look inside almost any wheel you should find a set of numbers/letters stamped inside the wheel. The markings will be somewhat similar to the following: 20x8 135-5-38 these markings will tell you quite a bit about the wheels you have. Here is how the numbers break down...

20x8 - Diameter and Width of wheels. 20" tall, 8" wide

135 - P.C.D., or bolt pattern in mm

5 - Number of bolt holes

38 - Offset measurement in mm

This number will obviously vary from wheel to wheel. Depending on your car or wheel size. This should be used to help determine if the wheel will fit your car or not.

Hopefully this guide will help you understand wheel offset a little better, and also help you in making an informed wheel purchase. You can also check out Wheels 4 You's guide to mounting wire wheels. Keep checking back for more wheel related guides.

THANKS FOR LOOKING!

www.stores.ebay.com/wheels4you

Please remember Wheels 4 You when it comes to all your wheel needs. We offer the best prices, and warranty on all brand new, first line wheels. We take pride in helping customers make informed wheel buying decisions. We have the fastest answers to emails, friendly service, and lowest prices.

www.stores.ebay.com/wheels4you

PLEASE RATE THIS GUIDE HELPFUL!!! THANKS!!!

PLEASE RATE THIS GUIDE HELPFUL!!! THANKS!!!

PLEASE RATE THIS GUIDE HELPFUL!!! THANKS!!!

PLEASE RATE THIS GUIDE HELPFUL!!! THANKS!!!

 


Guide ID: 10000000001639843Guide created: 08/18/06 (updated 11/10/09)

 
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