[ZychronZ]

is this the way you see it?

There is ABSOLUTELY no more load on the bearings or studs than without an adapter (assuming the tire is in the same position as drawn). Think about it. Has the load path changed at all?

This is exactly the way I see it. It does not mater how the wheel is shaped, as long as the tire is in the same place and the wheel bearings and studs are in the same place, everything is the same. I don't know where the idea that spacers cause more stress on the bearings.

Is there some other way to "see it"?

 

[73-84 IMSA W]

It would appear the stress forces are being tranferred to your original points in the drawings. I would think the biggest stress changes wound be increased torque on bearings if the tire "location" is changed not the amount of wheel offset.

Wider or softer tires will grip more causing increased torque in turns.

We ran 1" to 2.5" offsets on Sterling wheels but ran soft racing compound 14" wide front and 20" wide rear tires. The tires created tremendous torque on the wheels and bearings.
Our suspension set ups barely resembled a vette but the physics remains the same.

Hey Nebraska......welcome to the Big Ten:thumbsup:

 

[Slow & Leaky]

Is there some other way to "see it"?

The reputation developed in the days before front wheel drive offset wheels. Put this discussion in the context of 1975 rim availability and yes, adapters will increase bearing loads by moving the tire outward.


This nugget of wisdom becomes accepted, then wheels change available offsets and folks don't understand the physics of it all.

The other angle is once you move away from factory performance cars like vettes the reason for adapters is to install tires which are huge when compared to originals. (like VW bug in the 70s) Those cars will see increased bearing loads just because the tire sticks twice as hard before sliding. The layman then associates increased bearing failure with the adapter. It's definitely involved but not really to blame.

 

[blckslvr79]

Biggest problem with adapters is that they have to be retorqued ever so often. Some are worse than others.

Not according to the manufacturer I bought from. If installed correctly and torqued correctly from the beginning, they need not be retorqued anymore than your wheels would. The hub does not know the difference between a rim and a properly built adapter.

 

[lsejlowe]

Hey Nebraska......welcome to the Big Ten:thumbsup:

hey, thanks! We'll miss some of the history and tradition with schools like Oklahoma and Kansas but looking forward to some new traditions with you guys in the Big Ten. :thumbsup: