Taurus Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 I know wheels and offsets have been done to death but I need some reassurance before I purchase my wheels. I am building a live axle westy using Escort axle and Cortina front uprights and hubs. I intend to use 7"x15 wheels with 195x50x15 tyres. Westfield tell me that I need 24mm offset. Does this mean that I have to find a manufacturer that supplies this exact size? I would like to buy superleggs which I can get for £449 with Toyos but they are only available in 16/22/37mm offsets. Westfield were reluctant to recommend spacers I don't know why, are there any disadvantages in using them? If I do will it mean purchasing the 37mm offsets and using 13mm spacers, are my calculations correct? If I do use spacers will it mean using them on the front wheels as well? Sorry if these questions sound simple but I don't want to spend my money and get it wrong. Thanks in advance. Peter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick M Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 What's wrong with just getting the wheels with the 22mm offset ?? I'd rather get those than mess about with spacers to be honest. 2mm isn't enough to worry about IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taurus Posted January 3, 2003 Author Share Posted January 3, 2003 Westfield were insistent that 22mm offset would not give enough clearance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 So fit a 2mm spacer..........much better than a 13mm spacer, IMO. I use spacers on the green car, with no problems whatsoever..........6mm at the front, and 15mm at the rear. Sadly I have no idea what offset my wheels are, 'cos it isn't stamped on them, and I have never bothered to measure them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick M Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 So fit a 2mm spacer But that would make things worse as it would reduce the offset to 20mm. Personally I think Westfield are talking a bit of rubbish, but only you can truly be the judge of whether you agree with them or not. 2mm is a tiny amount and I can't see them recommending an offset of 24mm if it *just* clears the arches but 22mm won't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taurus Posted January 3, 2003 Author Share Posted January 3, 2003 You're right 2mm spacer would make it worse. With no experience in these matters I would be foolish not to take westfields advice but I haven't found a wheel manufacturer that makes a 24mm offset, so maybe a spacer is a must? Westfield sell Rimstock wheels Team dynamics and 100+, I haven't been able to find a wheel of 24mm offset on their catalogue maybe Westfield get them specially made. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stanton Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 There are hundreds of wheels available to fit Westfields TSW's, OZ's, Image as well as Rimstocks from West Bromwich - it would not be cost effective to have Westfield specific rims Rimstock, 100+ and Team Dynamics are basically one Who did you speak to at Westfield Have you spoken to Mark Walker - he is the main technical ghuru Speak to him or Boardroom to Scott Scott where are you, on late shift again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick M Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 maybe Westfield get them specially made. Doubtful IMO. I genuinely wouldn't get too worried about the offset differing by 2mm. I was quoted "13mm to 19mm" for my 6x15 rims so I opted for 15mm. 2mm won't affect the suspension geometry enough to worry about and it really shouldn't give you any clearance issues. If it does then I don't think Westfield should be specifying 24mm offsets because the tyre shoulders vary from one make to another so you could still end up with "issues". As Mark said there are literally hundreds of wheels that will fit a Westfield and it's not, IMO, necessary to get hung up on a tiny difference in the offset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 But that would make things worse as it would reduce the offset to 20mm. Does it not depend on if you're looking at Compomotives web site, or Superlite's web site? We've been here before, I just jumped the wrong way............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott beeland Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 Okay Mark I s'pose I could add my bit. If the superleggera is the one in mind then a 22 is the only sensible option. Point of note here though. Make sure you get supplied with correct bolt/ spigot ring hardware for your particular application. (And try not to pay for them as they come free with the wheels to the dealer!! Incidentally Fox Racing wheels (As supplied by OZ) have 25mm offset applications in ford pcd. As has been mentioned there are plenty of wheels out there . Happy shopping!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted January 6, 2003 Share Posted January 6, 2003 I have a Westfield SE and am currently trying to sell my 14" wheels. Admittedly they are 6J but the offset is e20. Also make sure which type of shaft you have in the axle. The RS2000 shaft has a longer "hub" on the end which may affect the fitment of the wheelcentre cap. Clive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastboy Posted January 6, 2003 Share Posted January 6, 2003 "Westfield were reluctant to recommend spacers I don't know why, are there any disadvantages in using them? If I do will it mean purchasing the 37mm offsets and using 13mm spacers, are my calculations correct" I went through this "pain" about 6 weeks ago as Mr Stanton will testify. (Cheers Mark) The reason Westfield and one or two wheel suppliers gave me for not using spacers is the potential for "wheel wobble" which apparently feels like unbalanced wheels. This is caused, IIRC, by spacers which have large holes so that they are universal, not locating on the spigot diameter (63.4mm) of the axles and therefore creating an eccentric weight which, in motion would feel like unbalanced wheels. I got round this "problem" although if i'm honest I don't think it was really necessary, by having some spacers made with a 63.4mm bore and then a 72.1mm spigot on the other side (this is the bore that the wheels should come with, you then fit a locating ring depending upon Ford or Peugeot fitment). The one benefit with spacers will be that if the offset is too low you can have the spacers milled down to change it. If you buy 22 offset wheels and they are incorrect you're stuck. Remenber wheels cannot be returned to the manufacturers if you have had tyres fitted. Does you dealer have 37mm offsets in stock, could you borrow one (I did) and then make up some spacers with washers to check whether 22 is ok or spacers on a 37 a necessary. Also bear in mind that when the suspension is loaded the gap between the rear chassis and the wheel rim will increase by approx 15mm (very approx though). Sorry for the tome, I belive all the above to be correct, but some one may tell you its all pants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will maskell Posted January 6, 2003 Share Posted January 6, 2003 I to have a live axle and have an offset of et20,they are minilite 6x13 and no probs at all. I originally fitted 7x15 wheels & tyres but hated the way the car drove,since fitting the 6x13's the car is an alltogether different beast & would never go back to the bigger set up!! regards will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren E Smith Posted January 7, 2003 Share Posted January 7, 2003 Given the above remark - anyone know why the factory now (appear) to only have one 14" rim option (as the smallest) and the rest are all 15"+ options? Or did I miss out on a catalogue in Kingswinford? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick M Posted January 7, 2003 Share Posted January 7, 2003 Because the company they deal with doesn't make many, if any, 13" wheels ?? Just a guess mind. I'm surprised they don't list anything for the BEC brigade who would probably prefer 13" rims. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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