Stock wheels (need help with offset)

[KarenTheBug]

I'm finally replacing those damn eight spoke wheels on my Bug with stocks :

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp ... 10-6622-KT

I have a question on what offset I need (I also posted a message to another forum that my mechanic / previous owner of the Bug read, since they spend more time under the Bug than I do, but figured I'd try here too). The back end has stock drum brakes, the front end has disc brakes. Which one of these do I need for the front & which do I need for the back ... or does it matter? Recommendations in the face of my ignorance are appreciated.

CHROME 15" x 4-1/2"WIDE STEEL WHEELS (4x130)
CHROME 15" x 5-1/2"WIDE STEEL WHEELS (4x130)

I finally decided to bite the bullet & buy some steel wheels, not just because I hate how the eight spokes look, but after hearing about a crack forming in a friend's eight spokes (same ones I'm rolling) ... just seems like a good idea to get rid of these while the tires are still low mileage & in great saleable shape.

[Marc]

It'd be nice if CIP1 would publish either the backspace measurement or the offset number ("ET" number, how many millimeters the lugbolt plane is out past the center of the rim)....guess you could ask them.
For a Standard Beetle it's not as critical as it is for a Super, `Ghia, or Type III so you probably won't have any problems with fender/suspension clearance with these wheels. If the 5½" ones have a lot of offset they might rub the front lower control arms at full lock, necessitating cranking in the Pitman arm stops a bit and living with a bigger turning circle.

Stock rims for a `70 Bug were only 4" wide; in Mid`72 they went to 4½". There were a few limited-edition Beetles that came with 5½".

[KarenTheBug]

I've got a '71, which I was told was stock at 4.5". I just want to make sure the difference of disc brakes won't cause any issues, since she had drums to begin with.

Guess I'll just have to put on some 4.5" rims & see Thanks

[Chris V]

Chinese wheels...hmmm. I've seen Mangles that fouled on the calipers - a little grinding was necessary.

I personally have more faith in the 'Empi 8's'...or genuine German steel wheels.

[Bruce2]

Chinese wheels...hmmm. I've seen Mangles that fouled on the calipers ....

You bring up a good point Chris. A local car builder in the past used lots of Mangles. He used to constantly complain about Mangles having ½-¾mm runout. Now, Mangles are NLA and he has to use crappy Chinese made wheels. They are so bad, he wishes for the day when he could get Mangles!

If you buy new wheels, before you mount the tires, spend the time to measure both radial and axial runout. VW's spec is 1.5mm. Every other car maker I have checked calls for less than 1mm.

[Marc]

I've got a '71, which I was told was stock at 4.5"...

You were told wrong (but 4½" should fit fine regardless).
The width is measured bead-to-bead, and stamped into the center of stock rims. Overall width will be at least ½" greater, but that's only of interest when comparing backspace measurements between wheels of different manufacture.

4x130 Beetle rims from `68 through Feb`72 were 4Jx15, ET40; from then through July of `73 they were 4½Jx15, ET34. August `73-up were 4½Jx15 ET41.

The "sport" rims (steel with 4 "spokes" in the center, similar to 914/4 rims) were 4½" ET34 or 5½" ET26 through July `73; later ones were 4½" ET41 or 5½" ET34.

`Ghias and Type III/IV had 4x130 4½" rims which were all ET46 (for better fender clearance). Those'll fit a Bug too.

Given the rim width and backspace you can calculate the ET (or conversely the backspace can be figured from width and ET). A 4½" rim that measured 5" overall would have 2½" backspace with zero offset. If ET41, you'd add 41mm (1.61") to that - the backspace would be a little over 4".
For a 4" rim (4½" overall width) the corresponding numbers would be 2¼" and 40mm (1.57") for a backspace of a little over 3¾" - that's logical, the offset's only different by 1mm and so about half of the added width of that 4½" rim goes to the inside and about half to the outside.
The 4½" ET46 puts the whole extra ½" to the inside - the backspace measures over 4¼", while the 4½" ET34 puts most of it to the outside.
A 5½" ET26 has about the same backspace as the 4" ET40 - the entire extra 1½" goes to the outside.
A 5½" ET34 has 8mm (5/16") more backspace, putting that much less of the added width to the outside.

[rockerarm]

You can locate and buy used wheels also. The classifieds on this site as well as thesamba must have lots to choose from. I bought a pair of the Mangels at a VW event out here in L.A. for $25/ pair. I compared them with my custom made 5 1/2" steel wheels welded up by Perfect Wheel in Gardena, Ca, only because all four wheels did not have tires on them and I was moving them around. Boy those Mangels wheels were noticeably lighter, so if ultimate safety is a concern, I wonder if the Mangels wheels have to meet any DOT standards? I will look and see if I see any markings on either wheel. You know Karen, that yellow car would look nice with a set of those 5 1/2" Sports Bug wheels used in 1973. Hint-hint.
And just to add this, those cast 8 spoke wheels are noticebly thicker than the OEM steel wheel. Thus, the lug bolt does not get full engagement into the drums threads. I have used stock 914 steel lug bolts, which were the proper length, and are available from a few suppliers.

[Lotrat]

Here's a handy reference

5 lug stock wheels:
http://web.archive.org/web/200412260605 ... steel5.htm

4 lug stock wheels:
http://web.archive.org/web/200412260616 ... steel4.htm