RIM SWITCH

Tiny
BIGSTEELE
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 CADILLAC ELDORADO
  • V8
  • FWD
  • 75,000 MILES
Is it possible to replace a rim size 14x5.5 with one thats size 14x6?Will there be any side effects to this?
Sunday, August 21st, 2011 AT 3:03 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,743 POSTS
The size difference is not significant, but it will change an alignment angle called "scrub radius". The IS significant on front-wheel-drive cars that use the split-diagonal brake hydraulic system. I'm not sure if yours uses that design. That means that one front wheel and the opposite rear wheel are on the same circuit so if one pops a leak, you'll always have one front brake still working.

Scrub radius affects which way a tire wants to pull during braking, toward the center of the car or away from it. Logic tells us it will always pull away, but by designing the suspension system with a few minor changes, it will want to go straight when the brake on the other side of the car isn't producing a counteracting force.

By installing wheels that are wider, you could be changing scrub radius. It depends on which way the center of the tire tread moves, toward the car, away from it, or it stays the same.
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Sunday, August 21st, 2011 AT 8:31 PM

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