I Should Get New Wheels But I Don't Know Which Ones

"Raphael Orlove" (orlove)
12/15/2013 at 19:21 • Filed to: CMRBB, Baja Bug

I need to replace a wheel. specifically the front passenger side one, pictured. Problem is, I don't know what size wheel I need.

Why am I replacing the wheel? Because I flushed $80 in Willets Point on an attempt to weld an air-leaking spoke.

As you can see, they're four lug 15 inchers. What remains mysterious is that I don't know how wide they are.

I'm not sure I can tell exactly how wide they are based on the tire size alone. I forget the size, but I can go check next time I see the car.

The thing is, I'm not sure I don't want to replace the fronts, as there are wheel spacers on them, which was a surprise to me when I first had to take the wheels off the car.

I would like to get a set of wheels that didn't need spacers, as spacers are a bitch when you have to put the wheel back on. The question is (again) what size should I get? Ideally I'd get something like !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , but I'm hoping to keep the price in two digits and something probably local.

DISCUSSION (77)

offroadkarter > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 19:24

Obviously if it has spacers, you can run wheel with a deeper dish and higher offset to negate the need for spacers.

Find out what the stock wheel specs are, and work from there. That will put you in the ballpark.

Desu-San-Desu > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 19:24

How thick are the spacers and what size are the tires?

Josh Welton > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 19:30

Kinja'd!!!

Those welds make my eyes hurt.

Rainbow > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 19:31

Less spokes means this will happen less often, right?

Kinja'd!!!

Jonathan Harper > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 19:32

Tri-spoke.

Raphael Orlove > Desu-San-Desu
12/15/2013 at 19:34

Not sure how thick the spacers are (they're not super thick, but they're not thin) but the tire is a 215/70R15, judging from the picture above.

I can double check the tire size and check the spacer next time I see the car.

Raphael Orlove > Jonathan Harper
12/15/2013 at 19:35

::pukes::

Raphael Orlove > Josh Welton
12/15/2013 at 19:36

It's worse in the daylight, you have no idea. Later I'll post more welding porn, or whatever the opposite of porn is.

Raphael Orlove > Rainbow
12/15/2013 at 19:36

now we're talkin

Raphael Orlove > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 19:38

I should also add, generally speaking, that I'm an idiot and everything I do is terrible.

Goggles Pizzano > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 19:38

Your pic shows a 215/70 15. A 215 is okay on anything from a 6 inch wide to an 8 inch wide rim. The bolt pattern should be 4x130. The last 3 in this link should give you a starting point, but the new ones look like they might be deeper dish so some figuring will be needed when it comes to offset/spacers.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 19:38

in my experience, the rim width will be stamped somewhere on the inside of the rim.

that said, 215 wide tires means you're probably running 6-7" wide rims on the front.. which is common for Baja bugs

Desu-San-Desu > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 19:39

Ok. So far it sounds like you're at an 7.5" wheel with the spacers. Depending on how thick the spacers are, that will dictate how much of a thinner wheel you'll need to avoid using spacers.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 19:39

Are you looking for more of the same or just something to keep you rolling?

Raphael Orlove > Desu-San-Desu
12/15/2013 at 19:40

do you mean a 7.5" wheel counting the width of the spacer? pardon the clarification

Blondude > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 19:40

Black junkyard steelies for everyone!

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 19:40

I approve of the white steelies.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 19:43

Steelies are the answer to every wheel question. I think some nice grey or white ones would look awesome.

Kinja'd!!!

Josh Welton > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 19:44

Like welding snuff pics? Bummer, that sucks.

Raphael Orlove > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
12/15/2013 at 19:45

how wide could I go without needing new tires? or maybe I should just spring for new tires anyway

Desu-San-Desu > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 19:45

Hai.

The spacer is because the current-width wheel wouldn't fit without rubbing. The spacer doesn't change the width of the wheel, it just allows you to install a wider wheel than would fit otherwise.

Raphael Orlove > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
12/15/2013 at 19:46

I initially thought I wanted more of the same, but first off that's hard to find and second off this seems like a good time to get rid of my spacers.

Who needs sway bars anyway > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 19:48

You defiantly have to go for white steelies, Something like bellow. Not only should you avoid wheel spacers for the inconvenience, but adding wheel spaces to the front wheels increases the amount of stress of the steering components. From the pictures it looks like the current wheels have very little backspacing which means you have plenty of room for a wheel with more. There is a good write up on measuring backspacing here:

https://www.rsracing.com/tech-wheel.htm…

You could guess the width sizing from what you know off hand about the car but to do it right you would really want to take the wheel off an measure everything.

Kinja'd!!!

Raphael Orlove > Goggles Pizzano
12/15/2013 at 19:51

That's extremely helpful! It looks like these would be a perfect replacement, at a good price, and close! And also blue!

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds…

I think I'll call the guy tomorrow.

Goggles Pizzano > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 19:57

I remember those wheels from many years back. A friend bought some for his Ranger. They don't look great on everything, but if you have something that calls for them (like you do), there's little choice out there. It's a huge bonus they're so affordable.

Raphael Orlove > Desu-San-Desu
12/15/2013 at 19:57

that's what I thought you meant, just checking to be sure.

I emailed this guy offering to buy these:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds…

oh and thank you, this has been very helpful

Raphael Orlove > Josh Welton
12/15/2013 at 20:01

it's not like sad bad, more like hilarious how unbelievably awful these welds are bad

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 20:02

Good points :) I suppose it depends on if you can stretch to swapping all 4 for something different, or whether you don't mind dossing around with one odd wheel.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 20:02

uh it depends on the tire manufacturer, Yokohama state 7.5" as the max width for 215/70R15..and Goodyear state 7" as the max for their tires in that size.

To be safe I wouldn't go any wider than 7" if you can't find specific info on your tires.

also, the top picture makes it looks like you're running a staggered setup, so keep that in mind when shopping around,

For Sweden > Who needs sway bars anyway
12/15/2013 at 20:02

My Baja has these; nothing else will do

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 20:03

Kinja'd!!!

The tires make the Baja Bug, not the wheels but the things you're rolling on aren't just ugly, they're unsafe. I like these wheels. and thing the tires would look cool on your car too.

Desu-San-Desu > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 20:03

No problem.

Raphael Orlove > Goggles Pizzano
12/15/2013 at 20:03

I definitely like the look of the white steelies like the ones you linked to better, but yeah, it's hard to beat the price

twinturbobmw > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 20:05

Black steelies! Everything is better with black steelies!

Raphael Orlove > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
12/15/2013 at 20:08

I found a great set of 15x8s near me:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds…

and emailed the guy to buy them. What size tires do you think would be ideal for them?

I should also clarify I only plan on swapping the front wheels out and mounting the third as a spare. I'd keep the extra fourth for, I don't know, a really nice set piece in my apartment.

Bandit > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 20:08

That weld looks terrifying. I just watched the petrolicious video with you in it and you seemed as giddy as a little girl. I vote black or white steelies.

Frank Grimes > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 20:09

Kinja'd!!!

oh crap 4 lug.

deez!

Kinja'd!!!

Raphael Orlove > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos
12/15/2013 at 20:09

what's wrong with my tires? I'm not trying to be a dick, I'm just asking. I mostly drive on the road, not off, and when I do, it's on dirt not sand.

Raphael Orlove > Bandit
12/15/2013 at 20:10

the car makes me very happy, and I want to make sure it gets proper treatment, too

Frank Grimes > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
12/15/2013 at 20:13

Those are centerline or the like aluminum wheels...I think.

Bandit > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 20:14

Did you fix the "I have no more keys for my car" problem?

rwd&v8 > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 20:19

I'm just kidding. How about these:

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 20:19

I wasn't talking about your tires, I was talking about your wheels. That weld... gives me nightmares.

The wheels you posted a link to would fit the car nicely.

I was just mentioning the aesthetics of tires are almost as important to me as the wheels. I love aggressive tires, be they for street or dirt.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Frank Grimes
12/15/2013 at 20:20

As soon as I posted this picture I realized they were aluminum wheels, but I still like them regardless.

Raphael Orlove > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos
12/15/2013 at 20:21

ah, I see what you mean. Yeah, the weld is a like it came from a planet populated only by people with no hands.

Raphael Orlove > Bandit
12/15/2013 at 20:23

I hotwired it and yanked the steering wheel until the steering lock broke. The problem is that it feels like there are bits of the steering lock still grinding around in there, and sometimes when you're turning there's some resistence. Now I'm trying to find a mechanic who can swap out the ignition lock and fish out the kinda-broken bits presumably in there.

All Motor Is Best Motor > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 20:23

And I thought I needed new wheels . Eeesh.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Raphael Orlove > Frank Grimes
12/15/2013 at 20:24

those are sweet! I'm gonna go with these, I hope: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds…

Raphael Orlove > All Motor Is Best Motor
12/15/2013 at 20:26

oof! what're you gonna do?

Bandit > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 20:27

You could always go and buy a new column, may be cheaper.

All Motor Is Best Motor > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 20:32

Unlike you, I'm going to continue not having new wheels because I can't afford any.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 20:34

I love when people take on things out of their comfort zone, but man, sometimes you gotta step back and admit there are some thing a professional should do.

Kinja'd!!!

There are lots of awesome things you can do to a Beetle.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 20:36

15x8" you'd want tires starting at 235/70R15.. keeping in mind that a 235/70 has a larger rolling diameter than 215/70.

that is if the 8" fit without any clearance issues. I couldn't tell you for certain as I've never had a bug.

Raphael Orlove > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos
12/15/2013 at 20:36

yeah, the weld came when I handed the car over to a 'professional,' but I know what you mean. There's something wrong with the engine (vacuum leak, probably) that I'm just gonna take in to get looked at.

Raphael Orlove > Bandit
12/15/2013 at 20:36

hm. hadn't thought of that. We'll see what the mechanic says.

Raphael Orlove > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
12/15/2013 at 20:38

I sure hope they fit, but since there are spacers on the current wheels, I think I'll be okay.

And thanks for the 235 recommendation, I'll have to look where I can get a good set.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Raphael Orlove
12/15/2013 at 20:41

I should have been more specific- I meant you should get your welding done by a professional welder . Not just any professional will do- no dance instructors or chefs or anything like that should work on your car.

Raphael Orlove > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos
12/15/2013 at 20:49

Kinja'd!!!