What Is The Backspacing On A Wheel?

When it comes to customizing your ride with aftermarket wheels, understanding the technical aspects is crucial. One of the key terms you’ll often come across is "backspacing." But what exactly is backspacing, and why does it matter for your vehicle? At Velgen Wheels, we believe that knowledge is power, especially when it comes to making the right choices for your car. Let’s break down what backspacing is and how it affects your vehicle's performance and appearance.

What Is Backspacing?

Backspacing refers to the measurement from the mounting surface of the wheel (where it attaches to the hub) to the back edge of the wheel's inner lip. In simpler terms, it’s the distance from the wheel’s mounting point to the innermost part of the wheel that faces the suspension or brake components. This measurement is typically given in inches and is a crucial factor in determining how your wheels will fit on your vehicle.

Why Backspacing Matters

Understanding backspacing is important because it directly impacts how your wheels sit in relation to your vehicle’s suspension, brakes, and fenders. Get it wrong, and you could end up with wheels that rub against the suspension components, or worse, don’t fit at all. On the flip side, getting the backspacing right ensures a perfect fit, maintaining both the functionality and aesthetics of your ride.

Here’s why backspacing matters:

• Clearance: Proper backspacing ensures that your wheels don’t rub against the suspension, brake calipers, or fender wells. This is especially important if you’re running a wider tire or have aftermarket suspension components that take up more space.
• Stance and Fitment: Backspacing plays a big role in how your wheels sit in the wheel wells. Too much backspacing can cause the wheels to sit too far inside the fenders, giving your car a tucked-in look. Too little backspacing, on the other hand, pushes the wheels outwards, which can give your car a more aggressive stance but could also cause rubbing against the fenders if not properly calculated.
• Handling and Performance: The right backspacing can help optimize your car's handling. If your wheels are too far in or out, it can affect the way your car drives, potentially leading to poor handling or uneven tire wear.

How To Measure Backspacing

Measuring backspacing is straightforward but requires precision. Here’s how you can do it:

• Remove the Wheel: First, remove the wheel from your vehicle. Lay it face down on a flat surface.
• Measure the Width: Measure the overall width of the wheel from the back edge to the front lip. This gives you a baseline to work from.
• Locate the Mounting Surface: Identify the mounting surface on the back of the wheel where it attaches to the hub.
• Measure the Backspacing: Using a straight edge, lay it across the back edge of the wheel. Then, measure from the straight edge down to the mounting surface. This measurement is your backspacing.

For example, if the distance from the mounting surface to the back edge of the wheel is 5 inches, then your wheel has a backspacing of 5 inches.

Backspacing vs. Offset: What’s the Difference?

While backspacing and offset are often mentioned together, they’re not the same thing. Offset refers to the distance between the wheel's mounting surface and the centerline of the wheel. Positive offset means the mounting surface is closer to the outside (street side) of the wheel, while negative offset means it’s closer to the inside (brake side).

Backspacing is all about how the wheel sits relative to the hub and suspension components, while offset gives you an idea of how the wheel sits within the wheel well. Both are important for ensuring proper fitment, but they measure different aspects of the wheel’s design.

Conclusion

Understanding backspacing is essential when selecting aftermarket wheels for your vehicle. It’s a key measurement that affects everything from fitment to performance. At Velgen Wheels, we offer a wide range of wheels with varying backspacing options to ensure you get the perfect fit for your ride. Whether you’re looking for a flush, aggressive stance or just want to make sure your wheels clear the suspension, knowing your backspacing is the first step to achieving that ideal setup.

Ready to upgrade your wheels? Contact us today to find the perfect set for your vehicle and get the fitment dialed in just right.