Hi All,

After much deliberation, I bought a 2002 V70XC. I was swayed by the fact that the PO must have been really anal! The factory floor mats were in the cargo area and there was factory original plastic stuck to the carpeting in the front. Judging from the condition of the mats, I think I was the first to install them.

A check of the service records showed that all oil changes that weren't done by Volvo were listed in the margins of the service pages and all of the major service was done by Volvo.

Anyway, I have a set of 16" Borbets that are on my 745 T (for sale, by the way) that would really look good on the '02. The problem has to do with the offset. The bolt pattern is the same but, according to Tire Rack, the XC needs a 40mm offset but the 740 has a 20mm.

I've considered H&R spacers but, I am worried about the effects of the additional bearing load and possible accelerated wear to the AWD system.

Any ideas?

Thanks for any help,

Greydog
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Greydog....'90 Turbo Wagon.....really sweeeeeeeet!

Thanks everyone for your input.

This weekend I'll try to fit the Borbets to the XC. In the mean time I'll call Tire Rack to see what they have to say.

Thanks again....I'll let you know how it turns out.

Greydog
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Greydog....'90 Turbo Wagon.....really sweeeeeeeet!

Call the tirerack (www.tirerack.com) and ask for Oscar...he'll be more than glad to answer your questions. He is very knowlegable about Volvo's.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

Find a ruler with MM on it, then realize how little difference there will be with your old wheels. The Borbets should work just fine.

Klaus
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(1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

Are the 16-in Borbets marked 20mm?

Reasons for asking are that:
1) Aftermarket wheels are frequently not quite OEM spec -- the manufacturer makes compromises to broaden the applications of his product.
2) In fact, the 700's original equipment wheels are actually 25mm offset; it's the 240s that had 20mm offset.

Anyway, I'm somewhat unsure what you're asking, re "...considered H&R spacers but, I am worried about the effects of the additional bearing load...." Clearance inboard would certainly be something to check, but as for bearing loads, these lesser offset wheels (20 or 25mm) will bring the wheels' centerline more inboard, not outboard.

Remember that Volvo's RWD wheel offset is the opposite of conventional (e.g., GM cars') RWD offset. Offset values go the 'other' way :-).

Usually, bearing load problems occur when the wheel is farther outboard (it puts more load on the end of the spindle, where the outer bearing is located) -- the inboard end of the spindle is always stronger. Greater offset will put the wheel farther outboard, so the lesser offset of these wheels would be expected to be kinder/gentler to your more vulnerable outer bearings, making the much more robust inner bearings do more work.

I think that your main concern is most likely inboard clearance, as I noted above.

Good luck.