Wheel offset and suspension geometry

[googe]

I'm looking at some aftermarket wheels, and previously have never paid attention to offset other than to ensure clearance. I was unfamiliar with scrub radius and the effects on suspension geometry until recently. Although it usually "works" fine (I've never noticed much), handling characteristics change, and deviating from stock can cause premature wear.

So how many mm is worth worrying about? If I want to stay as close to stock as possible, do you have to be exact, or will something like 5mm smaller make a difference? I'd prefer to avoid the premature wear even if I can't "feel" a significant difference. My stock offsets basically don't exist for aftermarket though, so I have to compromise somewhere (or get OEM take-offs, don't want).

This is for winter wheel/tires, not anything where performance matters, if that changes anything.

[mr2mike]

If it doesn't rub... use it.
www.willtheyfit.com

[ExtraSlow]

Get yourself some poke, it is dope.

[HiTempguy1]

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. I was unfamiliar with scrub radius and the effects on suspension geometry until recently. .

For a street driven vehicle, it doesn't matter. You have to go pretty crazy to notice a difference or have it affect tire wear. Tire wear will be much more of an issue with incorrect toe/camber than affecting the scrub radius.

I'm talking you have to go 20mm+ to start to notice a difference if a normal person driving on the street would even notice then.

[mr2mike]

Agree. I would say, lowering your vehicle changes these dynamics more-so than wider stance. And people have been lowering their vehicles for 20+ years all without question.

[ercchry]

I’d be more worried about wheel bearings than scrub radius

[Tik-Tok]

So is this ok, or not?

[HiTempguy1]

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I’d be more worried about wheel bearings than scrub radius

I wouldn't be worried about either of them. People who think wheel bearings give a shit about offset shouldn't be listened to. Any failures that do occur are likely extenuating from other issues already with the wheel bearing, and little to nothing to do with the forces placed on a bearing by having odd offsets. It's not to say that there is no affect, it is to say that there is such little affect on a daily driven street vehicle that it might as well be nothing.

And when we are talking +- 1 or 2 inches, it is literally fuck all. Unless you are some MB snob jerking himself off over a cars body panel gaps, then I guess it may matter for snobbery purposes

[ercchry]

I’ve killed a few rear wheel bearings... but we’re talking 6j to 11-13j and massive shift in offset... and on those damn full size Lexus, which is a common issue anyways (well, in my corner of the tuning world)