The 3D interplay between femoral component placement on contact stresses and range of motion of hip resurfacing was investigated with a hip model. Pre- and post-operative contours of the bone geometry and the gluteus medius were obtained from grey-value CT-segmentations. The joint contact forces and stresses were simulated for variations in component placement during a normal gait. The effect of component placement on range of motion was determined with a collision model. The contact forces were not increased with optimal component placement due to the compensatory effect of the medialisation of the center of rotation. However, the total range of motion decreased by 33%. Accumulative displacements of the femoral and acetabular center of rotation could increase the contact stresses between 5–24%. Inclining and anteverting the socket further increased the contact stresses between 6–11%. Increased socket inclination and anteversion in combination with shortening of the neck were associated with extremely high contact stresses. The effect of femoral offset restoration on range of motion was significantly higher than the effect of socket positioning. In conclusion, displacement of the femoral center of rotation in the lateral direction is at least as important for failure of hip resurfacings as socket malpositioning.