An important measuring value for the rim is the press-in depth «d». It indicates the distance between the middle of the rim and the adjacent surface on the wheel hub.
This is what a steel rim looks like for an Audi A4. You will find the following information stamped into the metal
- 1 - rim designation;
- 2 - pressing depth;
- 3 - part number.
Genuine wheel bolts for steel and light metal rims from Audi are recognizable by the notches on the bolt heads.
On the Audi A4, you can put rims with the following designations: 6 J X 15 ET 45 or 7 J X 15 ET 45. Sometimes an additional designation is also found on the rim «H2». The numbers and letters mean the following:
- 6 or 7: Rim width in inches, measured from the base of the rim flange across the direction of wheel travel.
- J: Designation for the height of the rim flange.
- X: rim recess depth.
- 15: Rim diameter in inches, measured bead to bead.
- ET 45: pressing depth 45 mm.
- H2: Double hump rim designation. Two bulges inside, in the rim bed, do not allow the tire beads to slide off its bead flange under side load (sharp turn at low air pressure).
Wheel bolts and rims are a system
Wheel bolts and rims are a structural unit and therefore cannot be separated. The tapered seat in the rim mounting holes exactly matches the taper of the wheel bolt. Other cone shapes cannot guarantee a secure fit of the bolt and thus of the wheel. for rims (steel and light metal), factory-installed on the Audi A4, only the so-called crown bolts are suitable (parts no. 431 601 139 A). They are recognizable by the notches at the top of the bolt head.
Rims for winter tires
Winter tires should be purchased immediately with matching steel rims. At first glance, this is more expensive, but, on the other hand, it eliminates the regular rearrangement and balancing of wheels. Tire shops often offer kits at a reasonable price. For winter tires, they offer standard 6 J x 15 rims. Or buy used rims.
Light metal rims can be corroded by salts to the point of being unsafe for traffic. Damage to the lacquer covering the rim must therefore be repaired as soon as possible.
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