offset versus scrub radius Options

[r_towle]

Does it make a difference what the offset is on a wheel with regards to scrub radius?

It does not seem that it would, given the stock suspension, no custom struts etc.

Aside from that, what is the reason (aside from cost and availability) for using large spacers versus getting wheels that mount up with no spacer, yet are wide for flared cars?

rich

[J P Stein]

Let's keep it simple.
A certain amount of Scrub is built into suspensions......split hairs if you want but it is measured as scrub radius.....the radius describes the arc of the center of the wheel rotating around the pivot point as located by (on a 914) strut.

SR provides steering feed back to the steering wheel and gives resistance to the act of turning the steering wheel....a good thing (in smallish bites) to prevent the "numb" feeling of a 58 Buick.

For track/DE guys, excessive SR is no big deal. When LARGE (AX style) steering input comes to the fore, things change for the worse.
My experience comes from here:


A 10 inch wide wheel with 5 inches of backspace.
A previously non-existent push in the tight stuff.,,,,that I was unable to eliminate thru normal methids....or abnormal, for that matter.
Sure, I got heaps of oversteer on the wide sweepers....but....

After fighting it for a season, I switched to 8 inch wide front wheels and problem solved.....the car responded to normal suspension tuning ...not perfectly, but something I could work with.. Do your own math as to the increase of SR over stock(a 5.5 inch wide wheel) & make up your own mind about the cause/effect.