Wider offset = broken wheel bearings... true/false

Post by **V8 Middy** » Sun Oct 10, 2004 2:58 pm

About to mount 35inch tyres and after SEARCHING decided that wider offset rims would be good as opposed to spacers which sound problematic for a daily driver. Recently, someone told me that a wider offset creates the risk of breaking wheel bearings. Is this true???

If yes, how do I mount 35x12.5 inch tyres in place of 31x10.5 without reducing my steering lock too much

If No, which rims give the best offset while still easily mounting easily to a 73 series cruiser. Also what size is best? 15 or 16 x ???wide?

Thanks

Post by **Big Red Toy** » Sun Oct 10, 2004 3:04 pm

u won't break a wheel bearing, it can how ever put more stress on them & therefore u might need to perform a bit of maintance on em more often. A better solution would be to fit nissan axles as they are strong

.
You should be fine going with the 'toyota' offset rims considering it is 4 a toyota

Post by **spazbot** » Sun Oct 10, 2004 5:31 pm

you can get the centersof your rims flipped for alot more offset and a 15 or 16x 8 should do you fine

Post by **DAWSO 4x4** » Sun Oct 10, 2004 11:02 pm

you will put more stress on wheel bearings and trujon bearings and also the stearing nuckles

Post by **My Lil Lux** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 4:54 am

I've got 15x10's and they've been flipped, with 14.5 boggers, lot of stress on the steering knuckles, have shown up a few more probs, but mainly steering, when I leave home my steering wheel is straight, by the time I come home after day in bush has turned nearly 90 deg, I'm hoping a hi steer fixes this, and brake discs etc. are pretty well exposed, Hypolux had some spacers that he was keen to sell, if your thinkin of goin that way.

Post by **stumped** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 11:49 am

on mine (yeah, i know it's only a zook

) i've got 2.5" offset rims, have gone thru a set of wheel bearing in the rear, but i dunno if they've ever been changed in the life of the zook before i owned it

don't think u'll ever break them, just wear out ...

an offset that is too wide is also illegal tho...

Post by **80UTE** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 12:43 pm

I have broken wheel bearing in the past on square edged rutts of a narrower track than my 80 forcing the wheels in at the bottom to the point where the bearing failed this has happened twice to me. Also increasing track is good for stability but the best way to acheive this is to increase the track width on the axle not the wheel offset. I keep wheel ofset to absolute minimum so to reduce bumpsteer at speed and wider wheel offset drastically increases the load on steering components.

Wally

Post by **brumby runner** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 1:29 pm

I use 40mm rim spacers from Snake Racing and find them perfect for my needs. Bump steer is a pain but tyre clearence is spot on for 37x12.5x16 on 16x8 GXL rims on 78 series. Consider this option if you want to return to stock offset without buying new rims. I havent busted any wheel bearings yet (6 months).

Post by **V8 Middy** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 1:38 pm

I've read (here) that spacers can work themselves loose and aren't so good for a daily driver, but great if you swap tyres when you go out to play.

I'm hoping that someone knows of a type of rim that will give me enough space for the 35s without loosing too much turning circle.

It sounds like it'll be harder for a landcruiser as the rims already have quite a bit of offset compared to other makes.

Post by **bazzle** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 1:44 pm

The extra side load will load the wheel bearings.
The problem "may" show its head when your running down the highway at 110kph and the outer overheats and chews up.
Try to keep the loading square over the bearings as possible.
6 months down the track may be OK but 2 years may be too much. Somethings just are not worth it.

Bazzle

Post by **grimbo** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 1:53 pm

I have some pretty aggressively offset 15 x 7 rims on my Suzuki. They have been cut and flipped and pushed back as far as possible. I have had them like this for a couple of yeras now and wheel bearing life hasn't been too bad as they are holding 34' Swampers and my maintenance schedules are probably not as good as they could be :oops:

they give you a bit of an idea of the offset. I don't find there is any bumpsteer problems and the turning circle is ok

Post by **brumby runner** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 2:17 pm

You wont find an off-the-shelf rim that offers any better offset than the std. rims.
I actually ordered new custom offset rims from Eastern Wheel Works but they must have closed down or something so I got onto Snake Racing. I havnt had any loosening problems with my spacers but they are steel not alloy.
My ute never does anywhere near 110kph with 37"!

I am prepared for (and expecting) front end problems, especially with the little front diff and difflock. Probably go with custom width Dana 60 or Patrol diff with std. offset rims if I have too many breakages.

Post by **4sum4** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 4:27 pm

My front front is 3.5" wider each side and havn`t had any probs yet,My main worry is bending the housing were the nuckle is,going through bearings won`t really bother me

Post by **stumped** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 4:55 pm

brumby runner wrote:You wont find an off-the-shelf rim that offers any better offset than the std. rims.
I actually ordered new custom offset rims from Eastern Wheel Works but they must have closed down or something so I got onto Snake Racing. I havnt had any loosening problems with my spacers but they are steel not alloy.

what do ya mean? u talking vehicle specific? cos speedywheels offers a 15x8 with -28 offset, heaps more offset than standard rims

http://www.speedywheels.com.au/steel.htm

Post by **V8 Middy** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 7:01 pm

grimbo: Are these rims legal for use on road? How much for the mod?

Website · Post by **murcod** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 9:30 pm

IIRC ADR's only allow a 25 (or 26mm?) increase in track width measured rim centre to rim centre. So most of the above mentioned mods aren't legal. Wheel spacers of any kind are illegal too.

It would pay to check with your local registry office for the exact laws in your state.

Post by **brumby runner** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 6:15 am

stumped wrote:
brumby runner wrote:You wont find an off-the-shelf rim that offers any better offset than the std. rims.
I actually ordered new custom offset rims from Eastern Wheel Works but they must have closed down or something so I got onto Snake Racing. I havnt had any loosening problems with my spacers but they are steel not alloy.

what do ya mean? u talking vehicle specific? cos speedywheels offers a 15x8 with -28 offset, heaps more offset than standard rims

http://www.speedywheels.com.au/steel.htm

I thought I needed a 16" rim to clear the brakes.........turns out with all the offset that a 15" rim would do it easy. I do need a 5 stud rim to fit the new 'Cruiser patten and 7" is prob stretching it on a 12.5" wide tyre.

Post by **TOY-08V** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 8:14 pm

im not sure if u know this V8 Middy but yes wider wheels will put more stress on ur bearings, but so will the tyres u are planning on fitting due to the increase in unsprung mass as will wheel spacers. BUT the sizes u are talking about arnt exactly massive loads and as long as u do some general maintainence on ur bearings it shouldnt be a problem, i run 35x15.5x15 superswampers on 15x 10 rims and only replaced my wheel bearings after 2 years of running this combo because i had to get new rotors(had a heat crack in one) so i did them at the same time.

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Wider offset = broken wheel bearings... true/false

Wider offset = broken wheel bearings... true/false

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