| WHEEL FITMENT GUIDE, April 03
By: Lanner Khan, B.Eng
Spacer and Hub machining:
There has been much hype about the whole "do not
machine'" cliche lately; advertisers are calling remachined hubs
as unsafe. In my opinion, remachining the hub does not affect its structural
integrity. Customizers have been machining hubs for decades. Remachining
was the status quo before the availability of pre-machined hubs. In my
opinion (and I have lots of those), all those ranting about the 'do not
machine' cause are perpatuating a marketing angle, and nothing more.
Also, a word on spacers. P-cars such as the 944 came
with stock spacers in the rear suspension. The point is that if you use
quality spacer (billet aluminum, not cast) in conjunction with a quality
wheel stud there will be no ill effects. If a spacer will help your particular
application, then use quality components and go for it. In T1 applications
with big modern wheels, I find it is best to narrow the beam and then
space between the hub/wheel to minimize the effects of wheel fouling on
the suspension, aswell as helping with turning.
Article:
Overview: Outlined
below are general wheel fitting guidelines. Check Lanner's wheel
fitment article in the June/03 issue of VWTrends. Click on the pages
on the right to enlarge. If these outlines do not clear things up,
please feel free to email Lanner about your application.Email:
lanner@vdubengineering.com
   
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Strut Front Suspension (Super Beetle):
Strut front suspensions will easily accommodate
up to a 7" wide rim as long as the offset is greater than 38mm.
The biggest hurdle to overcome is the coil spring. The stock spring
is very wide, and will interfere with the wheel/tire. The strut has
to be exchanged for an aftermarket strut that utilises narrower coil
springs. Alternatively, rear Honda CRX coils springs very closely
match the spring rate of a stock Super, while being significantly
narrower(see here). Shown on the right
is a 16x7ET40 with 205/45 tires on 72 Super. The front disk (stock
VW) was redrilled to 4-100mm pattern and 1/8" spacers are used
for coil clearance. The above mentioned Honda coils replaced the original
coils. |
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Ball Joint (BJ) and Link Pin
(LP) front suspension:
Ball joint and link pin suspension can fit a 7"
rim as long as the offset is greater than 38mm. The drums can be
redrilled to fit the wheel. However, the rims will be on the edge
of the fender and will interfere on lowered vehicles. It is suggested
that the front beam be narrowed by at least 2" to prevent fender
rubbing issues. On the right shows a 17x7ET38 rim with 205/40 tires
on 74 standard. Front BJ beam narrowed 3" and lowered via adjusters.
The stock drums have been redrilled to 4-100mm.
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Rear suspension:
Some small modifications are required to fit 7"
rims on the rear suspension of T1's. The upper bump stop plate will
have to be trimmed slightly to provided tire clearance. Also, the
forward most springplate bolt on IRS cars will have to be replaced
by either a button-head screw or countersunk flat head screw.
Swingaxle cars with short axles (66 and
earlier) will render the wheel too far into the fender and the tire
will rub on the springplate. Therefore, you can either switch to
long axles, or use a wheel spacer with longer studs. |
Upper bumpstop plate trimmed. |
The front screw here has been countersunk for tire clearance. |
17 x 7 ET 38with 225/45 tire on rear of 72 Super.
Stock drums redrilled to 5 -100 mm |
16 x 7 ET 40 with 205 /45 Tires on IRS Rear.Stock drums redrilled
to 4-100mm. |
17x7 ET 46 with 215/45 tires on swingaxle bug. Drums redrilled
to 5-114.3mm and 1" spacers used. |
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