Another engineering question

[Skip Fix]

Got another one for you all. Most of the new Vette and F bodies wheels have a pretty larger offset on the wheel. Seems to me this would add some leverage against the bearings and even the wheel center itself over a zero offset wheel(and change the suspension pickup points to use that wheel).

So other than fitting the tire in a wider suspension track why the huge offset wheels??

[baz67]

I would bet the front is to help reduce scrub radius.

[astroracer]

Brian has the right idea... A positive offset wheel not only reduces scrub radius but it also reduces bearing wear. Moving the wheel centerline inboard of the bearings reduces side loading of the bearings as most of the load is directed to the wheel centerline. This allows the upper and lower ball studs to help carry the load as opposed to moving the wheel centerline outboard of the bearings where most of the load is carried by the bearings. This increased side load will cause premature bearing failure.
A few other pluses are longer control arms and a lower shock attachment which can be pushed farther outboard to improve the motion ratio and thus the effectiveness of the shock.
Mark