centering rings

**rurso01** · 12-03-2012 08:20 PM

what size centering rings did you need to put the steelies on the wrx? I was told i need the centering rings or else it throws the alignment out. I went to 2 local shops and was told that they wont know the size of the centering rings until they go to put the rims/tires on the car. I am having a buddy do it for free at a local shop but they do not carry the rings.

**Heide264** · 12-04-2012 07:52 AM

Not using correct centering rings on aftermarket wheels will normally cause vibrations similar to unbalanced wheel/tire. It could also cause lug nuts to come loose long term and a few other unwanted odds and ends.

I'm not sure how the steelies work - they may be fitted to the axle and use the lug nut holes, similar to the stock wheels. I know I needed them for my enkei's. Maybe somebody with some more experience will pitch in.

Where are you getting the steel wheels from? If its an online store, ask them about it.

**drkhead** · 12-04-2012 07:58 AM

Thought I'd add... although it's technically a different scenario.

Recently ordered a set of Enkei EDR9s through tirerack. These came with the necessary centering ring.

I would assume that if I had ordered steelies through them, they would also come with the proper equipment?

**rurso01** · 12-04-2012 09:33 AM

I ordered from discounttiredirect and they didn't come with them. Since they are a generic rim they need them. I'm surprised not one person knows what size this ring has to be. Surely someone has to know

**Heide264** · 12-04-2012 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by rurso01

I ordered from discounttiredirect and they didn't come with them. Since they are a generic rim they need them. I'm surprised not one person knows what size this ring has to be. Surely someone has to know

It's not something you remember unless you order wheels. I bet it has to deal with the specific wheels ordered as well.

I'd still call discounttire and see what they suggest. I don't even know whether the STi uses the same size as the WRX.

**rage-wrx** · 12-04-2012 09:54 AM

No one can tell you the size of the ring. Depends on the steelies. You can take the steelies to a tire shop & they can measure it for you & sell you the rings.

Or you can measure the hub size of your car ,& measure the center bore of your wheel & this will give you the size of the ring you need. & you can order them online.

**mmiller2002** · 12-04-2012 10:27 AM

Releated thread, FYI. There's some debate of the function of the rings after the wheels are mounted properly.

How do I know if I need hubcentric rings?

**jimbo058** · 12-04-2012 02:54 PM

Vehicle hub size is 2.211"/56.15mm. Wheel bore size is 2.874"/73.00mm, from my MB Wheels that I got at Discount Tire.

**Sinister** · 12-04-2012 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by rurso01

what size centering rings did you need to put the steelies on the wrx? I was told i need the centering rings or else it throws the alignment out. I went to 2 local shops and was told that they wont know the size of the centering rings until they go to put the rims/tires on the car. I am having a buddy do it for free at a local shop but they do not carry the rings.

They are 73mm. I have a set of volk hubcentric aluminum rings that are brand spanking new. You could take the junk plastic ones off your current wheels, and throw these on there, and put the plastics on your steelies

**Heide264** · 12-04-2012 09:15 PM

I thought he was coming from stock wheels? In which case they use the lugs to center the wheel under torque to my understanding.

Either way, I may have missed that above. Good to see some numbers start to come about in this thread for the OP

**Sinister** · 12-04-2012 09:22 PM

^^ All subarus use a 73mm bore.

**rage-wrx** · 12-04-2012 10:32 PM

Surely wheels of different makes don't have the same center bore diameter.

**rurso01** · 12-05-2012 04:01 PM

I have purchased a pair of 16" steel rims. They are universal rims which is the reason that I was told I would need those centering rings.

I called Discount Tires Direct and they told me that I do not need centering rings as the rim should be a good fit without it. He said IF i feel any vibration, it would be exceeding 65-70 mph.

But when I went to several tire shops around town, they told me that I would probably need them so idk what to do...