wheel offset

[moray]

I have just had the rims replaced on my wheels with 5 inch ones.
I asked the wheel place to change the offset by 5 mm. ie move the rim 5 mm inwards. I have just measued them and they have moved them 10 mm.

I dont have the car here to check if they will still fit, particuly on the front.
Does any one know if they will still fit, or do I have to get them remade.

cheers
Moray

[rayofleamington]

The 'offset' refers to the distance between the centre of the rim and the hub face - thus if you go for a 2" wider wheel with the 'same offset' the inside edge of the rim will be 1" further inboard.
The easiest way to check would be to put a rim on the front - If you can put your thumb between the rim and the suspension upright then you have nothing to worry about - if you can just squeeze a finger in the gap, you will have to be careful about tyre choice. If there is almost no gap then you'll need spacers.
People get paranoid about using spacers because they've heard that it damages the wheel bearings, but it's best not to fall into that trap! If you use a spacer because the wheel offset is wrong, it makes no differece to the wheel bearing loads when compared to using a wheel with the correct offset.

[moray]

Thanks Ray,

I ended up taking the drive out to see the car and try the rim on it.
I could squeeze one of my fat fingers into the gap, so I painted the rims and had a set of tyres fitted and tried them on the car, it all fits.

cheers
Moray

[SR]

any pics moray?, what car did the 5" rims come off mate?

[moray]

The wheels are original morris wheels, that have had the outer rim removed and replaced with new 5 inch rims.

I don't have access to a webserver to post a picture, but they look like a standard morris wheel, only slighty deeper. As they use the original morris centers they will take the original hubcaps

hope this helps

cheers
Moray