ok reading this http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.raceandroad.com/images/ns-offsetexplained.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.raceandroad.com/offset.asp&h=121&w=96&sz=25&tbnid=47AWcxVrF8gJ:&tbnh=121&tbnw=96&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwheel%2Boffset&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=1&ct=image&cd=1 offset is measured in mm. so therefore the wider/narrower the wheel offset being same the wheel position will be different as offset is measured from centre point of wheel positive or negative so what effects will this have ?

Positive offset will push the outer rim into the car and negative will push the outer rim out of the car. Zero offset will put the centreline of the wheel directly on the mating face of the hub.

indeed but what impact will that have on driving if they are different to stock? If you had say for example as some do 10J on back(or wide body kits with spacers) and 8J on front with +35 offset thats not gonna line up the same when cornering

My offsets are +24mm front, -31 rear, this makes no difference, it only increeces grip and handling due to the increace in footprint on the rear width

doesn't it change the turning circle though ? or are the outside lines of the tyres the same ?

no the lines are different but not enough to worry about

this is interesting and confused me even more http://t3hclap.com/archives/10 think I gonna stick to stock sizes and just get pretty wheels one day not worried so much about rubbing more of have the car react differentlly cheers for help I suppose driving the wheels is the answer

Dose it worry you that on a three wheeler the wheel tracks dont line up?

If i had a three wheeler i'd be worried yes :D not so much about the wheel tracks though

On a wide arch the difference between the front track and the rear is 60mm per side.

so would that feel very different to drive? and what tolls would it have on stock suspension/tyre wear ?

It has more grip thats for shure, as for geometry, just a small amount of change as you are making the swinging arm longer so your camber will change very slightly but no enough to worry about. The problem occures when you lower as the geometery changes a lot, that is when you need ajustable camber arms to put it back in to tollarance to stop tyre wear and over/ under steer faults.

I hope this helps, it might be better if you tell me what you want to do and I will tell you the out come of your actions.

 

Allan

Not in the very immediate future but would like to go for 18" slightly wider at the back come out more flush with arches if poss and maybe a bit lower. you input has beeen greatly appreciated even if only as a learning curve(excuse the pun lol) cheers dude

When you increace the diameter of the wheel you have to deceace the profile of the tyre to keep the rolling diameter the same, or as near as can be. This will keep your speed readings correct at the clock. becomming wider will effect the offset but a 10" or 9.5 will not effect the offset that much You have to do the math working on the standard off set to where the outer rim will be. remember if you have a smaller offset or negetive it will push the outer rim outwards

thats where my concerns were working out the outer postion of the wheels if I can gain an inch out on each wheel front and back without noticing a huge difference in steering all's good I undestand the rolling diameter speedo thing no probs just the turning circle concerns. Thanks for your help off to bed now as I have more circles to get back to tommorrow just constructing a large circular window for an award winning designers garden display for the chelsea flower show.....f###ing wheels arrrrrggh

remember an inch in with is only 1/2 on inner and outer overall, in other words only 1/2 inch each way

sorry meant an inch out going up to 9.5j say with a lower positive offset

I would aim for a wider track, so you want to alter the offset depending on the width of the wheels to push them out towards the aches more, stock wheels sit too far in.

 

Wider track will improve grip, stability and looks much better.