Staggered wheels on a quattro???

[itsdarrow]

so whats the verdict, ive heard its fine and ive also heard that it is bad for the diff.

thanks
----d

[3.0L AUDI A4]

Its fine.

[Craigo]

It doesn't help anything, but it definetely does a number on the differential over time... I'm running 19x8.5 all around with offset of +32 on the front, and +29 in the rear (the dishes are a little bit deeper in the rear) Everything seems to be fine...

[A4 TSCHUSS]

It is FINE, people dont know and go by hearsay and the story continues on "well I heard that it is bad" then the next person hears that and says the same thing "well I heard that it is bad" fact of the matter is, you will be 100% fine. There are many many many cars running staggered (8.5" in front 9.5" in rear) is the popular setup which myself included run.

[Craigo]

I called the main office of Work Wheels out in Cali, and the guy indeed did say staggered setups aren't the greatest things to be putting on our quattro cars...

[2k1s]

You want to have the same overall offset. If you want the staggered lip look go forged wheels. The car doesn't noticed one wheel has more of a back pad than the other...

[rimad]

i wish somebody would come up with some reasons...as of why is it bad or not bad to run staggered wheels instead of just saying you will be fine or wont be fine.

[A4 TSCHUSS]

all I have to say to this is show me ONE SINGLE instance where there was a differential problem with the car due to running staggered. I don't even know of any problems with ANY car staggered or not so its funny hearing people say that its not good for the car when there are several people that have been running staggered for many many miles and have even done rough driving with these setups and still no problems.

I myself have been running staggered for about 15,000 miles which can be considered not that much but others have ran staggered for way longer than I have.

[cuco33]

Originally posted by A4 TSCHUSS
It is FINE, people dont know and go by hearsay and the story continues on "well I heard that it is bad" then the next person hears that and says the same thing "well I heard that it is bad" fact of the matter is, you will be 100% fine. There are many many many cars running staggered (8.5" in front 9.5" in rear) is the popular setup which myself included run.

i would say more of 95% fine, 2% cuz it does affect the system in some way, although negligible for granny drivers and slight for drive em like ya stole em drivers, the other 3% cuz the internet said so

sadly to resolve this never ending issue, u have to look at the entire system at about 50k/100k constantly on a staggered setup with respect to a non staggered setup. u might see a tad more wear u might not. all depends on the driver and how staggered it is. the system's designed to be equal all around, staggering the setup pushes it slightly out of it's designed equilibrium limits. but a lot of times, doing something outside the designed limits won't do anything. the risk is where the wallet is, that would be the driver. i myself havent heard of a single issue leading directly to a staggered setup leading to the assumption it is probably safe

[Sydeshow MO]

Hands down, bottom line is that it can be bad if setup incorrectly. If setup correctly, your Quattro will never know.

There are two ways to do it.

1. True staggered would be a wider rim in the rear (we all know that). Must make sure the tire diameter is within 5% of eachother.

2. Create the look of staggered by installing a rear wheel with a lesser offset ie +35 front and +32 rear. This draws the face of the rim deeper towards the wheels centerline and giving you the look of a fatter lip. Same size tires all the way around no problems or worries for those that are hesitent.


This is the most usefull tool to use when going staggered. Use it or you might regret it.

Binding your diff sucks... this will happen over time if you are outside the 5% rule.

Im basing the 5% rule off one of 400HPA4's posts and it just made sense.

BTW... I too run 19x8.5 front and 19x9.5 rear no prablem mahn...


Good luck!

[actlsub9]

To clear some things up... the actuall "staggering" of the wheels is not the so called problem. The problem that is under debate is if using different circumference tires on the front and back will cause problems for the differential over time. Ill let you guys argue over it....

[cyclo]

So is anyone running an 18x8.5 setup with 35 offset front and 32 in the rear?