wheel offset

I'm planning on using a set of Fuchs 15x6 on my car but I'd like to get just a bit more clearance.

Anyone see any problems with having a machine shop mill about 1/4 inch or so off the back side of these wheels to create a bit more offset? There seems to be lots of material there.

Brian

Those are forged heat treated wheels. Personally, I wouldn't mess with them.

Brian:

You been reading old PCA newsletters?? Old timers used to do that from time to time, rather than get custom rims made. I've seen them take more than 3/8" off the back but, personally, I wouldn't mess with more than 1/4". Sure, they look plenty beefy, but it's YOUR neck on the line if they should fail, Want to risk THAT? I'm still looking forward to a big SOC get-together when you retire to Niagara falls, CA, and want to see YOU there, too!

gn

narrow your trailing arms. i just did.

search Thesamba for the "Narrow 101" i did.

for the lazy folks:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=274359&highlight=narrow+101

I think narrowing the trailing arms is the way to go. The more I look at the rims I think that even taking just 1/4 inch off is risky. Guess I'll stay with the 7 inch steel rims for now as I don't have the time to narrow the arms....that can be a retirement project.

I'm still thinking about these wheels...

The 6" Fuchs have an offset of 4.75" and from the mating surface to the outside of the rim is 2". Total of 6.75" as I measured from the outside of the rim. The steel 7" wheels have an offset of 5.75" and 2.375" to the outside. Again measured from to the outside of the rim.

My thinking is that the split is essentially the same for both wheels....70% offset and 30% to the outside of the wheel. Does it not make sense that any tire mounted on either rim will have the same % of its width both inboard and on the outside of the mounting surface?

Current tires are 205/55 and they just fit (car is lifted a bit in the rear). I mounted one 195/60 on the Fuchs and then dropped the car back on ground. It appeared that the tire on the Fuchs stuck out about a 1/4 inch more than the 205/55 on the steel wheel but it was really hard to tell and I wasn't able to drive the car to get it to settle down.

Does any of this make sense??

If the body has the same tire clearance on each side in the back. They should fit (6" Fuchs). (Ive seen some Speedsters that have different side to side clearance)
Mine is a fiberfab\CMC era Standard body. IRS suspension with drum rear brakes.
The wheels are 6"x16" Fuchs (these have the same offset as the 15").
The tires are 205/50/16 in front and 205/55/16 rear.
The lip of the rear wheel wells were trimmed to aprox 1/8". That was the only modification I had to do.

Greg

Thanks Greg. I believe you're correct so I'm going to go ahead with it. First have to send the Fuchs out to get them refinished. Worst case scenario is I convert brakes back to 4 lug VW and remount the new tires on the old steel 7" wheels.

if the rear wheel clearance is different side to side - the body is on wrong. it took me two days to get my body front and rear exactly the same (within 2mm)

Total PITA.

Greg?
Them puppies look sweet on you car. and the red just set them off that much more. If I ever build another it will haveum