New Rims Mounted & Question

[speedomodel]

This morning I mounted these Konig Holes (17x7) on my "winter" car, a '90 GSX...

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The Konigs were lighter than anticipated. Unfortunately, they do show how small the brake rotors are and the polished lip only emphasizes the fender gap.

The tires are Pirelli P7000 Supersports (225/45 ZR-17) -- my favorite all-seasons.

QUESTION:

When mounting the wheels, there was a gap between the rim bore (center-hole) and the hub. Is this serious? Do I need to install hubcentric rings on a 1G? Thanks in advance.

 

[jtmcinder]

I, personally, would not drive my 2G on wheels that didn't have the right centerbore or didn't have the proper centering ring.

But I'm a gutless wimp.

I mean, I have a wife and two kids and would like to live long enough to see at least two of these people grow up.

- Jtoby

ps. Hi, honey. Just kidding.

 

[wret]

The jury's still out on the hubcentric ring issue. I have them. They are about a quarter inch wide piece of plastic. And these are critical for keeping my wheel from wobbling around? I don't think so.

I'd say as long as your lug holes are chamfered / beveled or whatever the proper term is, or they fit with a tight tolerance, you should have nothing to worry about.

 

[wret]

I didn't meat to immediately contradict. Jtoby types faster than I do. The point is that opinions vary widely on this issue. Use the rings to err on the side of safety.

I'm not exactly an advocate but I have them and I'm not going to take them off anytime soon.

 

[speedomodel]

Thanks for the feedback.

If only to avoid litigation, I'd imagine DSM put strong enough lugs on their cars to permit a lugcentric fitment. Regardless, I'm going to order some hubcentric rings just to be safe.

JustForWheels.com has a hubcentric ring search. Plastic rings for an Eclipse with Konigs: $35

 

[TSiAWD666]

For what it's worth, since we're all spouting anecdotal evidence, the one and only time I forgot the hubcentric rings on my Ronal LV Series 18x8.5 rims I felt lots of vibration at speed. Didn't make sense since the lug nuts are conical in shape, but putting the ring in there eliminated the problem.

 

[DSMWillyb]

If you do decide on getting some hubcentric rings, which I suggest, eBay always seems to have them for ~$20...

 

[TechT]

What do the rings do?.How do you know you need them with your wheels or not? I have ADR's and never noticed any rings on them.

 

[wret]

Depending on whom you believe, this is either a critical concern or not even worth worrying about. Most aftermarket wheels have a center bore that is at least as big as the hub of any car it is likely to be used for. This means that any aftermarket wheel you buy will likely have a larger center bore than your DSM hub. Some “experts” claim that it is highly important that this gap be filled with something called a hubcentric ring, keeping all the stresses on the hub and not the wheel mounting studs. Others will say that this is ridiculous and that the studs are up to it. You decide for yourself. You can get rings for around $20. DSM’s have 67mm center bore. Get rings 67 mm ID and “x” OD, “x” being the center bore of the wheels you have chosen. I orederd them and after seeing them, I have a hard time believing that a thin plastic ring is critical to supporting the weight of my 3000+ lb vehicle.

 

[TechT]

Thanks wret,this is the 1st time i've heard about the rings.I'v brought so many sets of wheels between my 2 dsm's, my lowrider truck and ever knew about them.

 

[speedomodel]

I ended up getting hubcentric rings on eBay from Discount Tire Direct for $12, shipping included. They're gold anodized aluminum and look something like this:

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Now, I only have to wait until temps finally get above freezing to install them.

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[TechT]

Sweet speedomodel,i'll check into a set my wheels i guess.

 

[wret]

Nice rings, speedmodel.

I should mention that some have reported excessive vibration with wheels mounted without HC rings. Their importance may be more significant in aligning the wheels during mounting than in actually supporting the weight of the vehicle.

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by wret
Depending on whom you believe, this is either a critical concern or not even worth worrying about.

Exactly. Back in the Olden Days, we never used them- on many cars, particularly with drum brakes, there's nothing to locate the wheel other than the studs. Steel wheels, and many of the better alloys, have tapered stud holes and tapered noses on the lug nuts to locate them. Of course, the the Olden Days we didn't have Fearsome Struts for suspension, either- we had real links and axles and A-arms and gangs of grease fittings (19 on the front end of the Datsun roadster, no shit).
Plastic or aluminum rings wouldn't do crap for holding up the car, but they would be able to accurately center-up the wheel to the hub. Then you'd just have tire out-of-round to deal with. Which is often 1/16" or more.

Still, I can't see anything getting hurt by using them.

Do any manufacturers put them on at the plant? (Obsessed Germans don't count, of course. As always.)