For all you wheel experts please

[Audime]

Hi guys/gals,

Bought four OZ alloys recently with Offset ET35 5x112. One wheel was delivery by mistake as ET50.

OZ company in Italy no longer make ET35 offset so have said ET50 would be sent to me as a direct replacement. Now, isn't ET50 toooo excessive for an A6 C5 platform estate (1999)?

They (OZ) assured me it would be ok but I have my reservations! Could ET50 cause undue stress on bolts and suspensive being closer to the center of hub?

Thanks for any feedback,
Chris.

[adamss24]

Just get 10-15mm spacers and keep the other 35mm offset alloy as a spare ! If you go for 15mm spacers make shure they are hubcentric ...

[Audime]

Thanks, I'll mention that to the garage.

[MikkiJayne]

It depends on the size of the wheel, but ET50 is really pushing it. I'm running 8x18 ET43, and there isn't really any more space to move the wheel in any further.

Like Adamss24 said, just use 15mm hubcentric spacers on the ET50s and you should be fine Plenty of those listed on fleabay.

[Audime]

Ok guys, heres the score. Alloywheels.com have put on 4 ET50's with no spaces (apparently didnt need them). Drove up from Southampton to Essex to get this done.

On the way home, still noticed judder coming through the sterring wheel, so popped over to an alignement shop (Pro Tyre). The tracking was spot on but the wheels did need balancing. This has now been done.

Still getting wheel judder however! at around 60 - 70 MPH. What do you guys think maybe the casue of this? Didnt have this problem before the new wheels!.

Do I really need spacers? The wheels fit quite nice under the arch.

[Shroud]

As mentioned on the other forum and also by other members, you should have stayed clear of such a significant offset.

I would suggest going straight back to your alloy wheel supplier and explaining your concerns and ask them to run the car with an alternate set of wheels that have the correct ET35 offset and see if this resolves your problem. If it does then you have your proof that the ET50 wheels are the root cause of your judder.

[Audime]

So with simply just placing spacers on the wheels to lower the offset isnt going to help then?

[Shroud]

I think it is the size of offset difference that is a concern. I have run with spacers on a previous car, but to correct a different offset going the other way, and the advice i had at the time was to avoid anything over 5mm.

As i mentioned, if you get your supplier to try wheels with your standard offset then you can prove whether this is what is causing you a problem.

I would be inclined to do some serious internet research to fully understand the potential issues you are likely to face (if any).

best of luck.

[Audime]

ok thanks. Sorry to keep harping on about it. I am just fed up now with people telling me no, ET50 no good, OZ saying yes thats fine, garages saying everything is fine! OK, but did you take it above 60 MPH? I think not. Steering wheel is off center but knowbody is listening to me. Tracking and alignement is fine sir! Yes, ok but have you actually looked at the orintation of the f'ing steering wheel!!! grrrr

I'll get this night shift out of way and do some more digging. I'm going to get the car into another garage too. Sent email off to Alloywheels.com already but they take an agggeee in replying!

Chris.