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Subject:Re: Mercedes rims...I have a question
From:TJ Hannink
Date:Mon, 28 Feb 2005 16:35:06 -0800

The ET number is the amount of offset in millimeters.

Measure the overall width of the rim (it should be about 1" wider than the listed wheel width) and divide it by two; measure the distance from the wheel mounting surface to the inside edge of the wheel, subtract the second number from the first number then convert it to millimeters.

AFAIK, a 14" x 6.5" wheel would have to have an offset of 23 mm in order to have the same amount of clearance as a stock steel or alloy wheel has on a 2WD Vanagon.

BTW I installed custom wheels on my Camper for two reasons - so I could mount a wider tire and because they look good. :>)  I haven't had any wheel bearing failures in 80k miles, AFAIK they are still the original wheel bearings (240k miles)

Good luck

Tim

Denmiester <jolliffe@MGL.CA> wrote:
Hi Gang...

I've been preparing to mount a nice set of these on my bus for some
time...have sourced the tires, correct wheel nuts and longer
studs...BUT...where does the ET figure come from...I've looked
everywhere on my rims and can only find the following information on the
inside fin edge...

6 1/2JX14H2
1084001002

1272 is stamped on the flange contact area

AS162 is on the inside of another fin..

Stock rim has a 4 3/4" offset measured from the inside edge of the
mounting point to the inside edge of the rim

The rims off the Mercedes have a 5" offset measured the same way, but
since only 1/4" of this is inside will I really have an issue with
clearance...

What a great resource this thread has been...sorry to ask this in case
I've missed an earlier reply, I can't find one if I did..

Thanks, Den.

TJ Hannink
Goldibox - 1987 Vanagon Camper, Wolfsburg Edition
1981 Bluebird Wanderlodge, FC-33
Winter Park, Florida
http://home.earthlink.net/~tjhannink/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wolfsburg_campers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wanderlodge
FAVOR website:  http://home.earthlink.net/~clubvanagon

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