Hub-Centric Wheels
So, what are hub-centric wheels?
Hub-centric wheels are designed for the center bore of the wheel to be a perfect match to the vehicle's hub, sometimes called a hub pilot. This allows the wheel and tire assembly to be centered on the hub, which is the most accurate way to install your wheels.
Most original equipment (OE) wheels are hub-centric because they're designed by manufacturers specifically for their exact vehicle.
Following the red lines in the diagram to the right, you can see that the wheel's center bore is exactly the same size as the vehicle's hub.
Lug-Centric Wheels
While most of your OE rims are hub-centric, almost all aftermarket rims are lug-centric. So, what's a lug-centric wheel?
As opposed to hub-centric wheels, lug-centric wheels are centered on the vehicle using the lug holes. Most aftermarket wheels are lug-centric because this allows the manufacturer to make the wheel with a larger hub bore, so the wheel can fit a wider array of vehicles.
As indicated by the dotted red lines in the diagram, the wheel's center bore is slightly larger than the vehicle hub.
While you can fit a larger hub bore on a smaller hub, you can’t fit a smaller hub bore on a larger hub. Be sure you have the correct hub bore size before installing your rims!
While lug-centric wheels are centered around the lug nuts rather than the hub bore, they can be safely installed without worry. But if you prefer the ride of a hub-centric wheel, you can simply install your lug-centric wheels with a hub ring!
Hub-Centric Rings
Hub-centric rings, AKA hub rings, can be installed on lug-centric wheels, filling the gap between the bore and the hub. This effectively centers the wheel around the hub rather than the lugs. While hub rings aren't required, they can help eliminate any high speed vibrations by creating a seamless bond between your vehicle and your new rims.
As you can see in the diagram, the yellow ring fits in the bore of the wheel and connects directly with the vehicle hub
Now that you know everything about hub-centric wheels, lug-centric wheels and hub rings, you’re all set to hunt down a new set of rims! Check out our huge inventory of aftermarket wheels!
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Whether you’re looking for new rims or fresh rubber, we’ve got you covered. Stop by any of our America's Tire locations and we'll get you taken care of! Customers who buy and book online save time in-store!
