Do I need hub rings for aftermarket wheels?

When upgrading to aftermarket wheels, you may come across the term hub rings and wonder whether you need them for your new setup. Here is everything you need to know about hub rings and how to determine whether they are right for your build.

What are hub rings?

Hub rings, also known as centering rings or hub centric rings, are small rings that fit between the center bore of your aftermarket wheel and the hub of your vehicle. Here is how they work:

• The center bore is the opening in the center of the wheel that slides over the hub of your vehicle when the wheel is installed
• Most aftermarket wheels are mass produced with a larger center bore than your vehicle's hub to accommodate as many different vehicles as possible
• When there is a gap between the wheel's center bore and your vehicle's hub, the wheel is centered by the lug nuts alone rather than by the hub itself
• Hub rings fill this gap and allow the hub of your vehicle to properly center the wheel, just like your factory wheels were designed to fit

Do I need hub rings?

Whether or not you need hub rings depends on the specific wheels you purchased and your vehicle. Here is what to know:

• If the center bore of your new aftermarket wheels matches your vehicle's hub diameter exactly, your wheels are considered hub centric and hub rings are not needed
• If the center bore of your new aftermarket wheels is larger than your vehicle's hub diameter, hub rings are recommended to fill the gap and ensure proper centering
• Hub rings are typically made of hard plastic or aluminum and are sized specifically to fit between your wheel's center bore and your vehicle's hub

What happens if I do not use hub rings?

If your aftermarket wheels have a larger center bore than your vehicle's hub and you do not use hub rings, here is what can happen:

• The wheels will be centered by the lug nuts alone, which is known as lug centric fitment
• In most cases, lug centric fitment is safe as long as the lug nuts are properly torqued
• However, some vehicles are more prone to vibration with lug centric fitment, and hub rings can help eliminate this issue
• If you are experiencing vibration after installing new wheels and tires that cannot be resolved with balancing or alignment, adding hub rings may be the solution

How do hub rings work once installed?

Hub rings are a passive component that do their job simply by being in place. Here is what to know:

• Once your lug nuts are tightened and your wheel is secured to the vehicle, the hub rings no longer serve a structural purpose and will spin freely between the wheel and the hub
• Hub rings do not need to be replaced at any specific interval unless they become cracked or damaged
• They are typically made of hard plastic or aluminum and are very durable under normal driving conditions

How do I know what size hub rings I need?

Hub rings are sized based on two measurements. Here is what to know:

• The outside diameter of the hub ring matches the center bore diameter of your aftermarket wheel
• The inside diameter of the hub ring matches the hub diameter of your vehicle
• To find the correct hub ring size, you will need to know the center bore diameter of your new wheels and the hub diameter of your vehicle
• You can measure your wheel's center bore using a micrometer or vernier caliper. Hub bore measurements are taken in millimeters for accuracy
• If you are unsure what size hub rings you need, contact us and our team will be happy to help

Are hub rings included with my order?

Hub rings are not automatically included with every wheel order, as not every application requires them. Here is what to know:

• If you are unsure whether your new wheels require hub rings, reach out to us before placing your order and our team can confirm whether they are needed for your specific vehicle and wheel combination
• Hub rings are available as an add on if needed for your setup

Still have questions about hub rings?

Contact us with your vehicle details and wheel information and our team will be happy to confirm whether hub rings are needed for your setup and help you find the right size!