Determine the original dimensions of the wheels that came with your car when it was manufactured. You can fit smaller or larger wheels and tires, but it is important to know what size wheel and tire the maker originally intended to go on the car so that you have an idea of what will fit. Wheel dimensions are measured by two criteria, width and diameter. For example, if a wheel measures 15 by 7 inches, it is 15 inches across the face of the wheel and 7 inches from the outside edge to the inside edge. Find out the proper offset of your wheels. The offset refers to where the hub-mounting surface is in relation to the centerline of the wheel, which in turn locates the wheel in relation to the vehicle. The proper offset wheel is crucial when it come to installing the proper wheels.
If the wheels stick out too far from the hub, the tires may interfere with or rub on the bodywork. Wheels that are too far from the hub and axle can also create excess wear on wheel bearings, hubs and suspension components. If the tires are too far in, they may interfere with the brakes and suspension. Incorrect offset wheels can also negatively affect a car’s handling. Find out the bolt pattern of your hub and wheels. Another important criteria in determining whether a wheel will fit on your car is the bolt pattern, which refers to how many lug nuts or bolts fasten the wheel to the hub and how far apart the holes for the lug nuts are. For instance, if a wheel pattern is 4-by-100 (a common VW bolt pattern), there are four lug holes and the distance from the center of one lug hole to the hole directly across from it is 100 mm.
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If a wheel has an odd number of holes, five for example, the distance is measured from the center of the hole to the area between the two opposite holes.
Apr 25, 2011 Whatever you end up buying, make sure you test one as the rims can hit the brake caliper and the hub holes can be the wrong size too. Also pay attention to the hub hole, rims should be a tight fit around the hub and not loose as all road shocks should be pushed through the hub and not the wheel.
Use you tape measure to find out what the stock dimensions of your wheels are. Wheel dimensions are measured in diameter (15,16-17-inches, etc.) and width (6,7, 8-inches). Replacement wheels that are the same size as stock should go on without a problem. You can fit larger diameter and wider wheels, but you may run into clearance issues. If you are fitting larger diameter wheels you will have to install lower profile tires to keep the outer dimensions of the wheel and tire package the same. Likewise, if you use a wider wheel, you may have to install wider tires. Determine the offset of your original wheels.
A wheel’s offset refers to where a wheel sits in relation to the hub. Offset is determined by where the wheel mounting pad is located in relation to the centerline of the wheel. A negative offset wheel’s mounting pad is on the outside (away from the vehicle) of the centerline and is commonly used on rear-wheel drive vehicles. A positive offset wheel’s mounting pad is towards the inside of the centerline of the wheel and locates the wheel closer to the body. If you use wheels with the incorrect offset, a couple of different problems can occur. If the wheels stick out too far from the bodywork, the tires may rub on the edge of the wheel openings. If the wheels are located too close to the suspension and brakes, there may be interference between the wheels and the suspension and or brake components.