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WHEEL FITMENT GUIDE, April 03
By: Lanner Khan, =
B.Eng
Spacer and Hub machining:
There has been much hype about the whole "do =
not=20
machine'" cliche lately; advertisers are calling remachined hubs =
as=20
unsafe. In my opinion, remachining the hub does not affect its =
structural=20
integrity. Customizers have been machining hubs for decades. =
Remachining=20
was the status quo before the availability of pre-machined hubs. =
In my=20
opinion (and I have lots of those), all those ranting about the =
'do not=20
machine' cause are perpatuating a marketing angle, and nothing =
more.
Also, a word on spacers. P-cars such as the =
944 came=20
with stock spacers in the rear suspension. The point is that if =
you use=20
quality spacer (billet aluminum, not cast) in conjunction with a =
quality=20
wheel stud there will be no ill effects. If a spacer will help =
your=20
particular application, then use quality components and go for it. =
In T1=20
applications with big modern wheels, I find it is best to narrow =
the beam=20
and then space between the hub/wheel to minimize the effects of =
wheel=20
fouling on the suspension, aswell as helping with turning.
Article:
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Overview: Outlined below are general =
wheel=20
fitting guidelines. Check Lanner's wheel fitment article in =
the=20
June/03 issue of VWTrends. Click on the pages on the right =
to=20
enlarge. If these outlines do not clear things up, please =
feel free=20
to email Lanner about your application.mailto:lanner@vdubengineering.=
com
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Strut Front Suspension (Super=20
Beetle):
Strut =
front=20
suspensions will easily accommodate up to a 7" wide rim as =
long as=20
the offset is greater than 38mm. The biggest hurdle to =
overcome is=20
the coil spring. The stock spring is very wide, and will =
interfere=20
with the wheel/tire. The strut has to be exchanged for an=20
aftermarket strut that utilises narrower coil springs.=20
Alternatively, rear Honda CRX coils springs very closely =
match the=20
spring rate of a stock Super, while being significantly =
narrower(see =
here).=20
Shown on the right is a 16x7ET40 with 205/45 tires on 72 =
Super. The=20
front disk (stock VW) was redrilled to 4-100mm pattern and =
1/8"=20
spacers are used for coil clearance. The above mentioned =
Honda coils=20
replaced the original coils. |
![](3D"http://www.vdubengineering.com/technical/WHEEL-FS.jpg"=20) |
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Ball Joint (BJ) and =
Link Pin=20
(LP) front suspension:
Ball joint and link pin suspension can =
fit a 7"=20
rim as long as the offset is greater than 38mm. The drums =
can be=20
redrilled to fit the wheel. However, the rims will be on the =
edge of=20
the fender and will interfere on lowered vehicles. It is =
suggested=20
that the front beam be narrowed by at least 2" to prevent =
fender=20
rubbing issues. On the right shows a 17x7ET38 rim with =
205/40 tires=20
on 74 standard. Front BJ beam narrowed 3" and lowered via =
adjusters.=20
The stock drums have been redrilled to 4-100mm.
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![](3D"http://www.vdubengineering.com/technical/WHEEL-FB.jpg"=20) |
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Rear suspension:
Some small modifications are required to =
fit 7"=20
rims on the rear suspension of T1's. The upper bump stop =
plate will=20
have to be trimmed slightly to provided tire clearance. =
Also, the=20
forward most springplate bolt on IRS cars will have to be =
replaced=20
by either a button-head screw or countersunk flat head =
screw.
Swingaxle cars with short axles =
(66 and=20
earlier) will render the wheel too far into the fender and =
the tire=20
will rub on the springplate. Therefore, you can either =
switch to=20
long axles, or use a wheel spacer with longer studs. =
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![](3D"http://www.vdubengineering.com/technical/WHEEL-CU.jpg"=20)
Upper bumpstop plate =
trimmed. |
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![](3D"http://www.vdubengineering.com/technical/WHEEL-BO.jpg"=20)
The front screw here has been countersunk for tire=20
clearance. |
![](3D"http://www.vdubengineering.com/technical/WHEEL-RE.jpg"=20)
17 x 7 ET 38with 225/45 tire on rear of 72 Super.
Stock drums redrilled to 5 -100 mm |
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![](3D"http://www.vdubengineering.com/technical/WHEEL-2.jpg")
16 x 7 ET 40 with 205 /45 Tires on IRS Rear.Stock drums =
redrilled=20
to 4-100mm. |
![](3D"http://www.vdubengineering.com/technical/dave2.jpg"=20)
17x7 ET 46 with 215/45 tires on swingaxle bug. Drums =
redrilled to=20
5-114.3mm and 1" spacers used. |
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![](3D"http://www.vdubengineering.com/vdub-decal.jpg")
=20