Basic question: What is backspacing? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Nima · 03-11-2005, 11:07 AM

What is backspacing exactly? When do you needed and how do you measure it? Sorry if these questions sound too basic for some of you. Thanks.

Putter · 03-11-2005, 01:17 PM

If you have your girlfriend in the missionary position.....OOOOPS, wrong message board.....

71cadc10 · 03-11-2005, 01:21 PM

backspacing tells you the location of the wheel mounting surface from the inside edge of the wheel.

to measure it, you would take a rim w/o tire and lay it flat with backside facing up. Lay a straight edge across the back. Measure from the straight edge down to the surface that touches the rotor or drum when bolted up. Subtract from this the distance from the edge of the rim to the "bead" or lip where the tire would mount.

So for intance on a 8" wide wheel (8" width is measured from bead to bead), a 4" backspace means the mounting flange is exactly centered.

8" wheel w/ 3" backspace would have a deeper dish look to it from the outside.

8" wheel w/ 6" backspace would have a very shallow look to it (like most front drive cars).

much often used and confused is "offset" also. Offset is simply the difference from the mounting surface to the center of the wheel width.
so using the above examples, a 8" wheel w/ 4" backspace has zero offset

8" wide wheel w/ 3" backspace has 1" negative offset

8" wheel w/ 6" backspace has 2" positive offset

justbcuz · 03-11-2005, 01:45 PM

^^Good job.

busterwivell · 03-11-2005, 02:02 PM

Yes, very well done, 71CadC10.

Nima, never be afraid to ask anything here, regardless of how basic you feel it might be. Remember, the only stupid question is the unasked one. You'll be much better off with answers than problems.

67chevemall · 03-11-2005, 02:13 PM

nice job! That helps alot!
Putter!LOL

krue · 03-11-2005, 03:12 PM

Think I will post that on the FAQ page. Thanks.

Nima · 03-11-2005, 04:46 PM

Thanks to all esp 71cadc10.

curbyk · 03-11-2005, 04:50 PM

Great Info!!!

67chevemall · 03-11-2005, 10:29 PM

Ive been waiting 4 years for that!
FAQ is a good idea.

crawdad · 03-11-2005, 10:42 PM

Shoot, I thought he was talking about that little button on the keyboard with an arrow pointing to the left.

03-11-2005, 11:07 AM	#1
Nima Blue 67 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western WA Posts: 1,179	Basic question: What is backspacing? What is backspacing exactly? When do you needed and how do you measure it? Sorry if these questions sound too basic for some of you. Thanks.

03-11-2005, 01:17 PM	#2
Putter More Cowbell.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, MS Posts: 3,569	If you have your girlfriend in the missionary position.....OOOOPS, wrong message board..... __________________ *There once was a member from Puckett.....Who ( fill in the blank blank blank* ) bucket**

03-11-2005, 01:21 PM	#3
71cadc10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boiling Springs, PA Posts: 435	backspacing tells you the location of the wheel mounting surface from the inside edge of the wheel. to measure it, you would take a rim w/o tire and lay it flat with backside facing up. Lay a straight edge across the back. Measure from the straight edge down to the surface that touches the rotor or drum when bolted up. Subtract from this the distance from the edge of the rim to the "bead" or lip where the tire would mount. So for intance on a 8" wide wheel (8" width is measured from bead to bead), a 4" backspace means the mounting flange is exactly centered. 8" wheel w/ 3" backspace would have a deeper dish look to it from the outside. 8" wheel w/ 6" backspace would have a very shallow look to it (like most front drive cars). much often used and confused is "offset" also. Offset is simply the difference from the mounting surface to the center of the wheel width. so using the above examples, a 8" wheel w/ 4" backspace has zero offset 8" wide wheel w/ 3" backspace has 1" negative offset 8" wheel w/ 6" backspace has 2" positive offset __________________ 71 C10 long bed, 2003 6.0L, 06GTO E40, T56, 12bolt 4.10 rear

03-11-2005, 02:02 PM	#5
busterwivell Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sahuarita, AZ USA Posts: 2,033	Yes, very well done, 71CadC10. Nima, never be afraid to ask anything here, regardless of how basic you feel it might be. Remember, the only stupid question is the unasked one. You'll be much better off with answers than problems. __________________ Bill - Tucson, AZ 47 Chevrolet 2 dr sedan 56 Chevrolet 210 2 dr sedan 66 Chevrolet Malibu 2 dr 4 speed 71 Chevrolet C30 Longhorn 86 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (Sold) 01 Chevrolet Tahoe IM - BUSTERWIVE@aol.com

03-11-2005, 02:13 PM	#6
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	nice job! That helps alot! Putter!LOL __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD

03-11-2005, 01:45 PM	#4
justbcuz Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: SD_Ca Posts: 26	^^Good job.

03-11-2005, 03:12 PM	#7
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Think I will post that on the FAQ page. Thanks. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

03-11-2005, 04:46 PM	#8
Nima Blue 67 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western WA Posts: 1,179	Thanks to all esp 71cadc10.

03-11-2005, 04:50 PM	#9
curbyk 69 C-10 project Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Eastern, NC Posts: 184	Great Info!!! __________________ 69 C-10 Work is complete

03-11-2005, 10:29 PM	#10
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	Ive been waiting 4 years for that! FAQ is a good idea.

03-11-2005, 10:42 PM	#11
crawdad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 614	Shoot, I thought he was talking about that little button on the keyboard with an arrow pointing to the left. __________________ 2012 Silverado LT 1500, 5.3, 6 speed auto '86 SWB C-10 Silverado

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