Offset, Track and Width - the differences explained, myths busted 

Thanks, that's really interesting, always wondered why it was Patrol wheels tended to fall off, this explains it!!!

Its the same for my series 2 GQ. I might go check the nuts before i spend the 500 bucks on bushes. But ive probably screwed the bushes with the loose wheels lol.

Thanks again!

Glad I could help! Please share :-)

Yes I can, but that was long enough already. Might do another. Basically, the main reason is to fit wider tyres, but wider tyres do not give the offroad performance people think they do (more on that soon too). There is a microscopic reduction in tendency to roll thanks to a wider track, but then you have greater moments as the wheel is further outboard which creates extra stress, potential scrub radius/alignment issue as you mentioned..it's a complex subject.

@@L2SFBC it is complicated and there is none better than you to tackle the subject. I am sure of that.

@@L2SFBC Scrub is dependent on tire width, hight and offset. Will make for a good follow-up vid explaining how they affect each other. Often see 4x4s with big offsets and wide low profile tires. Ball joint killers.

Glad it was helpful! please share :-)

Glad it was helpful! please share :-)

Yes...it's confusing and you're right. If the offset number decreases the track gets wider so there's more offset.

Toe does not affect track

that is a problem yes

yep!

It will stress the bearings and axles more so yes. Use the original offset if you can.

@@L2SFBC Thank You for your reply. I would like to know whether it causes severe issues , as originally the ride came with steelies which I hated for its looks 😂. No 2 Any fix for this and how much offset deviation is safer.

Depends on the vehicle and if you mean another 15mm, or 15mm total and if the latter, what the offset was to begin with.

@@L2SFBC Thank you for your response. I use a Maruti Celerio with 45 ET in stock rims which I replaced with alloys having 30 ET, effectively popping tyres 15 mm out.

Probably no effect you'd notice then

A few companies offer replacement axles which fixes the track, or go for the Mark's Adaptors portal.

I would suggest wider offset wheels instead. Spacers just add another thing to go wrong, they may not fully seat the lug nut (did you know that it is a legal requirement for aftermarket wheels to have the same thread engagement as OEM? well it is, and it was a surprise to an aftermarket company when I showed them the doc). Spacers often give a LOT of offset/track increase which can cause significant problems, and it'll lower something called the roll centre of gravity and while lowering that sounds good, it's not always. Most spacers aren't hub-centric, so the weight of the wheel is taken on the studs, and it should be on the hub. And how do you check the tightness of the space bolts, like you would the actual studs? It's really complex. Also, in Australia track increase limits can be achieved with different wheel offsets, so there's no reason to go for spacers except for cost, and when it comes to the interface between wheel and hub...it's not an area to skimp on.

@@L2SFBC This one answer right here is it's own video. Especially when so many American car modification YT channels use spacers which may lead to a misunderstanding of their application in Australia and the risks of spacers generally as it's not often discussed whatever country the source material comes from. They are cheap compared to wheels and can easily be mail ordered from the US so I'd like to see a video on basically the answer you gave above.

@@L2SFBC I appreciate your reply. In the past I’ve heard about wheel spacers being bad, but in recently I see many guys using them and saying they’re not as bad as the claims and companies now a days make them better. As you mentioned cost is usually the reason.

Thanks, there's SO many topics I have on the list but unfortuately, I don't have the necessary team of 100 to knock even 1% off! That answer was the brief one btw :-)

Both greater offset and spacers will increase wheel bearing loads and often reduce bearing life dramatically.