can different size wheels (offset backspace) affect alignment ?
say if you have oe rims and tires on your car/truck, and get the front end aligned. for arguments sake,
the rims are 16x6.5 with 245/75-16
toe = 0.05° or 1/16" in
camber = + 0.1°
caster = 3.5°
now lets say you put on different rims/tires where the rim is now 16x7 having a different offset and backspace than OEM. The wheel now sticks out from the vehicle compared to the OE rim by 1 inch, 2 inches, and so on. Does this affect camber and toe? If so, how and is it significant to worry about ?
the rims are 16x6.5 with 245/75-16
toe = 0.05° or 1/16" in
camber = + 0.1°
caster = 3.5°
now lets say you put on different rims/tires where the rim is now 16x7 having a different offset and backspace than OEM. The wheel now sticks out from the vehicle compared to the OE rim by 1 inch, 2 inches, and so on. Does this affect camber and toe? If so, how and is it significant to worry about ?
No, your alignment specs will not change unless you change components that locate the wheel mounting hub. Anything that attaches outside of that will be irrelevant to alignment.
how far past OEM specs can you go with a rim swap b4 you throw things way off? I went from stock 16" 4th gen rims on my 98 to OEM 5th gen Camaro 19's.
Not to thread jack, but I too am concerned since there was an offset difference.
Not to thread jack, but I too am concerned since there was an offset difference.
The wheel diameter doesn't effect the alignment settings. As already stated changing the wheel offset only changes Scrub Radius, which also doesn't effect the alignment settings.
Here's a video clip that explains what Scrub Radius is:
http://www.racecartuner.com/03/307.html
Here's a video clip that explains what Scrub Radius is:
http://www.racecartuner.com/03/307.html


