steelies and centering ringa not necessary?!

[rurso01]

After much debate on whether I needed centering rings with my new winter set up, I called discount tires direct where I got them from. They told me they do not need the rings and if there were to be any vibration at all, it would occur above 70mph.

I know many of you stated that I would be needing them... who to believe? Tires plus said I may need them but they are a universal rim I figured the lug nuts would hold it tight with no concerns..

[KHP]

From what I've read around if you tightened the lug nuts while the wheel is still raised off the ground then centering rings may not be necessary. The lugnuts will force the wheel to center on the hub without load. Make sure to tighten progressively (I believe OEM torque spec is 72.5ft/lbs) in a star pattern to aid in centering. Make sure to re-torque the lug nuts after about 100 miles of driving.

If the lug nuts are tightened with the wheel resting on the ground without a centering ring then the wheel may not be forced correctly into proper position. This will create vibrations and other negative side effects while driving.

[rurso01]

Good info bro I'll do that thanks

[Heide264]

From what I've read around if you tightened the lug nuts while the wheel is still raised off the ground then centering rings may not be necessary. The lugnuts will force the wheel to center on the hub without load. Make sure to tighten progressively (I believe OEM torque spec is 72.5ft/lbs) in a star pattern to aid in centering. Make sure to re-torque the lug nuts after about 100 miles of driving.

If the lug nuts are tightened with the wheel resting on the ground without a centering ring then the wheel may not be forced correctly into proper position. This will create vibrations and other negative side effects while driving.

Normally only stock wheels will do this. It's a property of the wheel that forces it to center as the lugs tighten.

Most aftermarket wheels won't do this. It's mainly due to the fact that the lug nuts have some give in them radially.. so you can move the center of the wheel so that it is not quite centered over the axle.

I know it's not helpful, but I would still be concerned. If these were factory wheels for another car, you may be fine. If they weren't, I'd be hesitant.

[rage-wrx]

rurso, can you take a pic of the wheel's center bore?

[rurso01]

rurso, can you take a pic of the wheel's center bore?

Sure will. Posting in a few

[rurso01]

Attachment 110350

[rurso01]

[rurso01]

The top 2 are from the front side and the bottom picture is from the inside of the rim. I assume that is probably the best picture. What do ya think rage? any help is greatly appreciated. Girlfriend is sick of seeing the tires stacked in the living room lol...

[rage-wrx]

I would agree with the Discount Tire. You do not need centering rings.

What you do need to do is torque the acorn lug nuts with the wheel still in the air. Do it in stages till the wheel is properly positioned on the hub.

[rurso01]

I am having Tires Plus do it since I deal with them a lot with my work at Enterprise. Do you think they would know the proper way to do it or should I give them input on the proper way? I don't want to offend but I want it done right.

[rage-wrx]

I am having Tires Plus do it since I deal with them a lot with my work at Enterprise. Do you think they would know the proper way to do it or should I give them input on the proper way? I don't want to offend but I want it done right.

I'm sure they know how to torque a wheel since they do it for a living. Plus they probably do it on a lift. Just tell them to torque to spec & not go crazy with the wheel gun.

[rurso01]

Sounds good! I appreciate your help man. I'm gonna get em put on tomorrow

[Calvinball]

I would agree with the Discount Tire. You do not need centering rings.

What you do need to do is torque the acorn lug nuts with the wheel still in the air. Do it in stages till the wheel is properly positioned on the hub.

How exactly did you determine this?

I bought my steelies used and am still trying to figure out if I'll need centering rings.

[rage-wrx]

How exactly did you determine this?

I bought my steelies used and am still trying to figure out if I'll need centering rings.

If you look at the center bore of the alloys vs the steelies, you will see that on the steelies there is no space to insert the hubcentric rings.

OEM wheels are manufactured to accommodate the hub size of the car. The thing with aftermarket wheels is they have to be made to fit different hubs(it is cheaper that way to manufacture vs making a wheel for every specific car). So they are made with a gap that is filled by the hubcentric rings. All they do is ensure proper seating of the wheel in relation to the hub,so that the wheel does not go off center.

The steelies on the other hand are lug centric vs aftermarket wheels that are hubcentric. Why,you ask? I have no idea. I am sure there should be some travel on the wheel if you hit a good sized pothole. But then you would have other things to worry about.