Wheel Offsets

[belladonna]

okay...i've been doing some looking around to see what the correct offset for older model legacies are and have come up pretty much empty handed. i have found lots of info on nasioc, but it seems most applies to impreza/wrx/sti or just new subys in general...
here is a basic guide i grabbed from the thread, but in later reading i found out this guide definately applies to 93+imprezas, but not sure about other models....

Width .... Offset

6.5" ....... +53 to +55
7.0" ....... +50 to +53
7.5" ....... +47 to +50
8.0" ....... +43 to +47

can anyone help out here? i remember there was an offset guide on the old board...could that possibly be reposted?

[Reason]

can anyone help out here? i remember there was an offset guide on the old board...could that possibly be reposted?

Gator GT or Pwise2326 posted it up.

[shazapple]

Chances are it applies to Legacys too (since WRX rims fit my legacy, and have the same specs as the stock GT rims). Only thing is im not sure how wide us 95-99 owners can go, I think its 7 or 7.5"

[fibuz]

one more thing to add, as I take it, offset regards how far off center the rim is...smaller the number, the futher out it is.

still dunno if 18x8 at 45 offset will fit a BE, but I'd sure like to know. :!:

[belladonna]

i'd like to know if this guide would apply to 1st gen. legs also....

fibuz - there's a huge thread on nasioc about it...
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=dc84a18267d1d001dbcbd0dc2ab6a620&t=335263&page=2&pp=25
lots of kids talking about putting 18s on their subys...

anyway, i tried to read through all of it last night, but it's like 10 pages of info and some of which is contradicting :?

[fibuz]

yeah, that seems to be the largest problem...some people say 18x8 fit...some say they dont.

tire-rack says its okay, subydude says no go. ion performance says okay, other people say no.

what a mess...and my car is lowered a couple of inches which doesn't help either...blah! :x

fibuz

[redlegacygt]

yeah finding wheels can be a real pain in the butt.. thats why i think i've finally giving up on buy nice wheels. I just bought some cheap tires from wal-mart, which i have to say are definetly holding up ten times better than what i thought. Now all i have to do is sell some paintball stuff and then ill be able to get some headers.. but hopefully you can find wheels that will fit and work. :!:

[belladonna]

offset formula
[(Back Space - 0.5) - (wheel width / 2)] *25.4

offset calculator
http://toy4two.home.mindspring.com/offset.html

hope these little cheats from that thread help out some guys

:?

[byebyesti]

i had 17x8 wit a 225/45 on my lowered bd and they fit great.. 48mm offset was what i had too .... just to let people know

[belladonna]

if i read the thread correctly, being a couple of millimeters off is okay, but being too far off is very damaging to suspension/wheels/etc.

[gator gt]

You are correct Bella. Too far out and you risk harming your hubs/bearings. They are designed to have the load of the tire/rim assembly in a certain geometry.

Spacers are even more damaging if not used in the correct application.

I believe that the 'chart' listed in the 1st post still applies to 90-04 Subarus (note: watch for brake clearance needs!)

Bella, you want to see if 18's fit? See if there is someone living in your area (or maybe a short drive) that will allow you to do a mock fit-up on your car.

I did that exact thing when I really felt the need :D to see if 2005 Legacy GT 5 spoke rims fit over Subaru non-brembo 4 pot fronts (and inherently, Subaru non-brembo 2 pot rears). I put a call out in the Regional Forums of NASIOC, and a very gracious member, JayBay, allowed me to drive to his place (1 hr from my house) after work one night to pick up the wheel or even offered to drop it off on the wknd.

I opted to go to his place. But there was one thorn....I hadn't installed the brakes yet. I'm not until I get closer to swap time.

Long story short, he opened his garage up to me, lent me his floor jack and I mock installed my 4 pot right there (cause I took a chance and brought a caliper with me, and usually carry all necessary tools in my trunk for possible on-road repairs) and test fit his rim over it....

YES, the 05 LGT rims fit over the FHI 4 pot brakes!!!!!

Anyway, it saved me a trip back down to bring the rim back to him, and gave me my answer right away so I could start looking for deals.

Put a call out there and the good folks will come out of the wood work and lend you a hand.

Keep in mind, there could be different rim/lip designs in 18", so the fitment may vary. Also, keep in mind that tire manufacturers may have the 'same' size tire, but they too vary slightly. So rubbing is something to keep in mind if the rim looks a little too close.

Hope this helps.
GGT

[belladonna]

you are a big help, but it was fibuz looking to put 18s on his car :)

i really don't want to go any bigger than 16s, but we'll have to see with the brake setup and all.

sounds like you got to meet one cool kid too. i love it when people are willing to help out that live kinda far away. i'd do the same thing :)

[gator gt]

but it was fibuz looking to put 18s on his car :)




oh, how right you are! DOH!

Buz, you ought to be able to find someone out there in AZ who could help you out! I mean how many folks are out there in Tucson? Give Stephen Clark a call at Innovative Automotive Performance too. He may lend a helping hand.

GGT

[subadubdub]

I unknowingly had 17x7 Motegi's with a +40 offset. I had some major tire wear on the inside edge of my Kuhmo's -to the point of the rubber breaking to expose the wires. I'm guessing the offset had a lot to do with that. Took me quite a while to figure it out- in fact, I'm still guessing whether or not that's the definitive answer to the tire wear. Anyone have problems with this?

[scottzg]

90% sure the 18x8's will not fit your car

the wrong offset will alter your alignment. If ou have inappropriate rims you need to get realligned.