I know that stock Euro rims has 50mm offset. When I put on my 17" wheels (7,3kg) with 45mm offset, I definitively notice a change in handling. It's a lot more torque steer, and lift throttle oversteer is worse. I know this might be because of the weight of the rims and the width of my tires (205), but I wonder how changing offset can affect the handling? Which is better.. more of less offset?? And why?

 

having a wheel further away from the hub should change the wheel rate's spring rate

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dan GSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">having a wheel further away from the hub should change the wheel rate's spring rate</TD></TR></TABLE>


what does 'wheel rate's spring rate' mean?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dan GSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wheel rate's spring rate</TD></TR></TABLE>



wheel has spring rates?

 

He means "wheel rate".

Wheel rate = (spring rate / (motion ratio squared))


Read this if you don't know the difference between spring rate and wheel rate:

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=60839

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dan GSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">having a wheel further away from the hub should change the wheel rate's spring rate</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm not quite sure I understand..... you're saying the lesser offset the better?


Modified by Pompiuses at 8:29 PM 6/10/2003

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Pompiuses &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I'm not quite sure I understand..... you're saying the lesser offset the better?</TD></TR></TABLE>

No - keeping stock suspension geometry is better. Stock offset is 50mm - changing to 45mm offset increases front track by 10mm - depending on your alignment setup (camber,toe) this 10mm can make a difference in handling characteristics.

 

The wheel offset also affects the scrub radius: http://www.familycar.com/align...adius

And the scrub radius affects the amount of kickback in the steering. But you should compare an 15" 50mm offset with an 15"45 mm offset. You're now also feeling the difference between 15" and 17".