Running 17'' Wheels

[Graaf]

When purchased my car has 17'' alloys with a 40mm offset.

I've notice some 'tramlining'

Would this be more attributable to the diameter or the offset do you think?

I am considering changing the wheels for 17'' Pro Race 1.2 as they are available with a 55mm offset which much closer to the 60mm standard.

Thanks

[dapinky]

The wheel diameter in and of itself will have no effect on anything, but taken as a whole, with the tyre, it may do.

If you are running 205/40r17 tyres, then the overall rolling circumference is so close to the OE 15" or 16" wheels with the recommended tyres that they can be considered the same.

However, there will probably be far less flexing of the sidewall of the tyres on cornering due to the lower profile, but again, this is somewhat dependent on the exact tyre you have fitted.

The offset will have a negative effect on the whole situation, but as to whether or not it would induce or exagerate tramlining I couldn't say.... the scrub radius will be different to the OE design, and that can cause some tramlining, but if the rest of the adjustments on the suspension are addressed, it can be minimised.

The OE settings are great for a car in OE condition, but as things wear, or are replaced with 'new' items of inexact specifications, it may actually drive better with different settings.

If you are keeping the wheels/tyres, then I'd suggest setting it up as per OE specifications, and then changing things gradually until you get it driving how you want (or as best as you can).

[Graaf]

I’ve just had the car set up at Unit 4 - wheel alignment, tracking, ride height, etc all put back to standard.