mazda3 wheel offset and premature bearing wear?
Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 9:14
Is it inadvisable to run Enkei J10 16x7 +38mm wheels with 205/55R16 tires for winters on the Mazda3?
I did exactly that last winter, Nov-April for about 4.5K miles, then back to OEM 17" wheels and non-winter tires in April. About 5.5K later, early Sept., both front wheel hub bearings failed (at about 18K on the odometer). They were replaced under warranty by dealer.
I'm worried that could they have died prematurely because they were shifted 14mm to the outside by these Enkeis and I'm trying to decide whether or not I should run them this year and risk another premature wheel hub bearing failure.
Do you think I am overthinking things, or should I start shopping for replacement wheels?
I did exactly that last winter, Nov-April for about 4.5K miles, then back to OEM 17" wheels and non-winter tires in April. About 5.5K later, early Sept., both front wheel hub bearings failed (at about 18K on the odometer). They were replaced under warranty by dealer.
I'm worried that could they have died prematurely because they were shifted 14mm to the outside by these Enkeis and I'm trying to decide whether or not I should run them this year and risk another premature wheel hub bearing failure.
Do you think I am overthinking things, or should I start shopping for replacement wheels?