Well, I keep seeing that wheels have an offset number. Well, I know what five lugs are but I have no clue about the other numbers.. the 5th gen Lude has a 5 x 114.3 pattern.. well, what is the 114.3, the space between the lug holes?? also what is the offset for the 5th gen lude and if its a different number, what will happen?

 

offset is how far away the actual rim (where the wheel meets the axle) is placed in relation to the center of the wheel. I'm not sure of the unit of measurement but i'm guessing it's mm. but anyway, if you had a 0 offset wheel it would stick out past your fenders, if you had a +90 offset wheel the inside would hit your fenderwells.

the 5x114.3 is the lug pattern: 5 lugs, and if one were to draw a circle that passed through the center of each lug hole, the diameter would be 114.3mm

stock setup is 5x114.3 +55 offset. wheel dimensions are 16x6.5"--when buying an aftermarket 17" wheel, (which are usually wider than OEM by .5-1") most people go with a +48 offset...

anyway all of this offset business is to prevent "rubbing" and general wheel fitment issues.

 

thanks for the info.. appreciate the help.. so if i buy 17s what should be the offset?

 

depends on the width of the wheel, but for 17x7 wheels i think anything in the low 50's high 40's will work just fine. I believe 48 is ideal?

 

I think with a 7" wide rim, 44mm is safe. With a 7.5" wide rim, 48mm is safe.

 

and if you go 18's, +48 works... and the other members have covered the above

 

the reason for my asking this is I found some wheels I like and its a 17 x 7 with +42 offset.. will this fit a 5th gen lude? thanks!

 

anyone?

 

Yeah, matching the stock +55 is HARD to do in my experience...

Most aftermarket rims that are say 15, 16 or 17 by 7 in wide have an offset of say 40, 42, 44 or 45. I cant find much greater than 45 (for 4 x 114.3 4th Gen anyway) seems like higher offsets are ONLY offered for 5 lug applications (WHY?!?!).

And I've read that not maintaining the stock offset could mess up the suspension and steering geometry etc. as well as possibly cause more torque steer?? Is this True?

So I am still in the wheel market and I wonder how you 4th Gen-ers (or 5th) w/ +40, 42 , 44 or 45 offset aftermarket rims have done - any rubbing or extra torquesteer, greater than stock?

PS: Why doesn't aftermarket wheel manufacturers...of which Honda/Acura makes up a lot of their market - provide greater offsets to match the stock values???

 

though i never liked the idea, some companies sell wheel spacers. I think it's dangerous, especially if you're going to be driving hard, but obviously some people think it's worth it.

having wheels with a lower offset would widen your wheelbase which i don't necessarily see as a problem unless you've got rubbing. though the more technically inclined might be able to answer the steering geometry question...

 

Yeah, I am not technically inclined enough either...

Any opinions out there from 4th or 5th Gen owners running 7in wide 15's 16's or 17's w/ offsets btw +40 -->+ 45? Do you notice the difference btw the stock rims? (Read: "Torque Steer")

Is turning and handling noticibly better or worse??

I want some after market rims that look good (such as bigger 16's or 17's) but that don't hurt performance...or atleast not too much.

I notice that lightweight and affordable rims such as Rota have offsets between 40, 42 sometimes +44 I think which dont seem close enough to stock or are they?

Any Issues people have had w/them?

THANKS for ANY Input!

 

PS: wheel spacers sound Scary...

 

I have a 4th gen dropped 1.7 inches, would 17x7 inch rims with a 42 offset cause me to rub? The tires are 215/40/17.

thanks,
Jose


Modified by 96whitelude at 8:25 AM 7/30/2003

 

lol! lots of questions.. no answers.. someone please give all of us some input.. btw.. the wheels i am getting are Nippon Racing GTX-10 wheels 5 x 114.3, +42 offset..