the inevitable alloy wheel question (newbie)

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nanosecond
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the inevitable alloy wheel question (newbie)

Post by nanosecond »

Hi,

Picking up my camper on the weekend (autosleeper trident). I am interested in a subtle (30 - 45 mm) lower and some alloys, but think I have ended up confusing myself with all of the possibilities..

Like the idea of Silver Empi's, but am not sure what spacer I need if any(?) If my van has an ET of 39 and the Empi's have an ET of 12 I am assuming a 20mm spacer. Is that right, or can you get 25mm? Will I just need longer bolts and studs?

The nearest place to me that can supply the wheels and fit them is Big Boyz Toyz in Thurrock. Anyone able to recommend them?

Finally, tyres. Will a van specific tyre (195/70 x 15) go onto the Empi's. I want to make sure that the tyres are up to the job as the van is a lot heavier than stock.

Sorry for all the questions and cheers if you can help with any / all of them

:D
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Westy.Club.Joker
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Post by Westy.Club.Joker »

The offset (ET) is way to low, you need to be looking for at least 30mm, preferably 35-40mm. Spacers won`t cure a low ET, it works the other way, spacers will correct a high ET.

Reliably informed that the Empis at that style don`t work on T25s.

As for tyres, the LOAD rating should be at least 97 according to the VW manual, so I wouldn`t go any less than that. Load rating is the nember after the tyre sizes eg 215/60 x 16 99W (215mm wide, 60% side-wall profile ratio, 16" rim, 99 load rating)
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nanosecond
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Post by nanosecond »

thanks for that...

High lights the issue tho' cos when I spoke to BBT they said the Empi's would fit no problem. Good job this forum exists, otherwise I could end up shelling out for rubbish!

I already knew about the load rating thing, which is why I want to go for van tyres, although it seems that quite a few people on here are happy to go for a car specific tyre if the load rating is high enough.

Cheers for the reply!
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nanosecond
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Post by nanosecond »

Have found a site for a wheel supplier in Essex: www.alloywheels.com They have 5 different 15" alloys that fit the T4.

They have a couple of styles that appeal, one with an ET of 42, another with an ET of 35. They will not fit the ET 35 wheel to my van without machining it first (although they will sell it to me, for me to do).

I'm wondering if machining the wheel will put additional stresses on it. In which case, would the ET 42 wheel be better with a spacer?

Beginning to think I should just keep an eye our for some Whitestars.

For anyone that is looking for wheels and tyres its a good site btw
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BigTam
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Post by BigTam »

Have a look on some of the other sites, The Bickyard etc, always lots of wheels for sale, here's one example,

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/forum ... 19412&PN=1

best of luck, :ok
Last edited by BigTam on 30 Sep 2007, 10:25, edited 1 time in total.
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Westy.Club.Joker
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Post by Westy.Club.Joker »

It`s the centre bores that need machining, T4 has a smaller centre than a T25
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Dubkopfeyellow
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Post by Dubkopfeyellow »

Stick with a big merc rim (as big mercs are very heavy) and just get the bolt holes drilled out from m12 to m14 (centre bore is the right size for vans already)

I have merc rims on my van and they've been fine for a good 6 months or so
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Post by ding-dang-dhu »

Dubkopfeyellow wrote:Stick with a big merc rim (as big mercs are very heavy) and just get the bolt holes drilled out from m12 to m14 (centre bore is the right size for vans already)

What sort of establishment would give that service? Would it have to be an engineering sort of place or could a local garage to it?
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Post by Sir Chad »

I drilled my merc rims with an electric drill, the holes have to be clearance for M14. you'll see that the original holes for M12 bolts are quite a bit bigger than 12mm, choose a drill bit that has similar clearance for M14. Only try this if you're confident you can drill the holes square to the face of the wheel. If you're not experienced take them to an engineering firm and ask them to drill them using a pillar drill.
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nanosecond
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Post by nanosecond »

cheers to big tam!

should be picking up some wheels from that link on Saturday
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nanosecond
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Post by nanosecond »

Now have the new (well to me anyway) wheels fitted and the van lowered care of Brickwerks...

Pic in the Garage

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/garage.php? ... ge_id=1091
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Post by BigTam »

No probs mate, looking good, glad you got sorted, 8)
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