Proudly Canadian. 🍁 We are located in Surrey, British Columbia. We do not ship to the USA. We do not ship Canada Post. We do not ship mounted wheels and tires, all items are shipped separately.
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Proudly Canadian. 🍁 We are located in Surrey, British Columbia. We do not ship to the USA. We do not ship Canada Post. We do not ship mounted wheels and tires, all items are shipped separately.
Cart 0

Hub Centric Rings | Wheel Vibration & Aftermarket Wheels Surrey BC

If you have aftermarket wheels, proper wheel fitment involves more than just the correct bolt pattern and offset. One of the most commonly overlooked parts of an aftermarket wheel installation is the hub centric ring, also called a hub ring or wheel centering ring.

At Premier Tires & Wheels in Surrey, BC, we specialize in aftermarket wheels, tire and wheel packages, professional wheel installation and diagnosing wheel and tire vibration.

What Is a Hub Centric Ring?

A hub centric ring is a small ring installed between the vehicle's hub and the center bore of an aftermarket wheel.

Many aftermarket wheels are manufactured with a larger center bore so the same wheel can fit multiple vehicles. When the wheel's center bore is larger than the vehicle's hub bore, a hub centric ring fills that space and helps position the wheel precisely on the hub.

For example, if an aftermarket wheel has a 73.1 mm center bore and the vehicle has a 66.1 mm hub bore, the correct hub ring would reduce the wheel from 73.1 mm to 66.1 mm.

Why Are Hub Centric Rings Important?

Without the correct hub ring, an aftermarket wheel with an oversized center bore may not be perfectly centered during installation.

Even a small centering difference can contribute to vibration that becomes noticeable at highway speeds.

Correct hub centric rings help:

  • Center aftermarket wheels accurately on the vehicle hub
  • Reduce the possibility of steering wheel or vehicle vibration
  • Improve consistency during wheel installation
  • Ensure the wheel sits concentrically on the hub
  • Provide proper aftermarket wheel fitment

Can Missing Hub Rings Cause Vibration?

Yes. Missing, damaged or incorrectly sized hub centric rings can be one possible cause of vibration after installing aftermarket wheels.

A common situation is a vehicle that drives smoothly with the factory wheels but develops a vibration after aftermarket wheels are installed.

However, hub rings are not the only possible cause of wheel vibration. Other causes can include:

  • Improper wheel balancing
  • Excessive tire road force variation
  • Bent wheels
  • Out of round tires
  • Incorrect lug hardware
  • Improper wheel installation
  • Tire or wheel damage
  • Incorrect aftermarket wheel fitment

This is why replacing hub rings should not automatically be considered the solution to every vibration problem.

Hub Rings vs Wheel Balancing

Hub centric rings and wheel balancing solve two different problems.

Wheel balancing corrects weight imbalance within the tire and wheel assembly.

Hub centric rings help position an aftermarket wheel concentrically on the vehicle hub.

A tire and wheel assembly can therefore be properly balanced but still experience vibration if an aftermarket wheel is not being centered correctly on the vehicle.

For difficult vibration problems, we also offer Road Force Wheel Balancing in Surrey, BC, which can help identify tire and wheel issues that may not be apparent during a conventional balance.

Do All Aftermarket Wheels Need Hub Rings?

No.

A hub ring is generally required when the center bore of the wheel is larger than the hub bore of the vehicle and the wheel is designed to use a centering ring.

If the wheel's center bore already matches the vehicle's hub bore, a hub centric ring is not necessary.

The correct hub ring is determined using two measurements:

Wheel center bore: the inside diameter of the wheel's center opening.

Vehicle hub bore: the outside diameter of the vehicle's hub centering lip.

Both measurements must be correct to select the proper hub ring.

Plastic vs Aluminum Hub Centric Rings

Hub centric rings are commonly available in plastic or aluminum.

Quality plastic rings work well for many passenger vehicle applications and have the advantage of being resistant to corrosion.

Aluminum rings are durable and are commonly used in performance and heavy duty applications, but they can sometimes seize to the hub in areas where road salt and corrosion are common.

The most important factor is not simply the material. The ring must have the correct inner diameter, outer diameter and fitment for the wheel and vehicle.

How Are Hub Centric Rings Installed?

Installation is straightforward when the correct ring is being used.

The hub and wheel mounting surfaces should first be inspected and cleaned. The hub centric ring is then positioned between the vehicle hub and the wheel's center bore.

The wheel should sit flush against the mounting surface before the correct lug nuts or bolts are tightened to the vehicle manufacturer's torque specification.

A hub ring should never be used to compensate for an incorrectly sized wheel or incompatible wheel fitment.

Do Hub Rings Replace Proper Wheel Balancing?

No.

Hub centric rings do not balance a tire and wheel assembly. They help center compatible aftermarket wheels on the vehicle.

If your vehicle has a vibration after installing aftermarket wheels, both wheel centering and wheel balance should be checked.

For persistent vibration, Road Force Balancing can provide additional diagnostic information about the tire and wheel assembly.

Aftermarket Wheel Fitment in Surrey, BC

Premier Tires & Wheels specializes in aftermarket wheels, tires, custom tire and wheel packages, wheel installation and vibration diagnosis in Surrey, British Columbia.

If you are unsure whether your aftermarket wheels require hub centric rings, we can help determine the correct fitment using your:

  • Vehicle year, make and model
  • Wheel brand and model
  • Wheel center bore
  • Vehicle hub bore
  • Bolt pattern
  • Wheel specifications

Correct wheel fitment matters. The right hub centric rings, lug hardware, tire sizing and professional installation all work together to produce a properly installed aftermarket wheel package.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hub Centric Rings

Do I need hub centric rings for aftermarket wheels?

You may need hub centric rings if the center bore of your aftermarket wheels is larger than your vehicle's hub bore. If both dimensions already match, hub rings are generally unnecessary.

Can hub centric rings fix highway vibration?

They can correct vibration caused by an aftermarket wheel not being centered properly on the hub. If the vibration has another cause, such as tire imbalance, excessive road force or a bent wheel, hub rings alone will not solve it.

What size hub centric rings do I need?

You need the center bore diameter of the wheel and the hub bore diameter of the vehicle. A wheel with a 73.1 mm center bore installed on a vehicle with a 66.1 mm hub bore, for example, requires a 73.1 mm to 66.1 mm hub centric ring.

Are hub rings required with factory wheels?

Factory wheels are normally manufactured with a center bore designed for the vehicle they were originally fitted to, so an additional hub centric ring is generally unnecessary.

Can I drive without hub centric rings?

If an aftermarket wheel has a larger center bore and is intended to use hub centric rings, installing the correct rings helps ensure accurate wheel centering. Missing rings may contribute to vibration, particularly at highway speeds.

I had my wheels balanced but my car still vibrates. What should I check?

Wheel balance is only one potential cause. Hub centric fitment, tire road force variation, bent wheels, tire condition, lug hardware and installation should also be inspected.

Need Help With Wheel Vibration or Hub Centric Rings?

If your vehicle started vibrating after installing aftermarket wheels, or you are unsure which hub centric rings your wheels require, contact Premier Tires & Wheels in Surrey, BC.

We can help with aftermarket wheel fitment, hub centric rings, professional wheel installation, tire balancing and Road Force Wheel Balancing.

What Does Hub Centric Mean?

A hub centric wheel is designed so that the wheel's center bore closely matches the diameter of the vehicle's hub. When the wheel is installed, the center bore fits over the hub's centering lip, helping position the wheel concentrically on the vehicle.

Are Factory OEM Wheels Hub Centric?

Yes. Factory OEM wheels are designed to be hub centric for the specific vehicle application they were made for. The wheel's center bore is manufactured to match the vehicle's hub bore, so a separate hub centric ring is normally not required.

For example, if a vehicle has a 66.1 mm hub bore, its original factory wheel will typically have a corresponding center bore designed to fit that hub.

This is one reason OEM wheels generally install without additional centering rings.

Are Replica Wheels Hub Centric?

Many vehicle specific replica wheels are also designed to be hub centric.

Replica wheels are often manufactured to mimic the specifications and fitment of a particular factory OEM wheel. When the replica is made specifically for that vehicle application, the manufacturer may use the same center bore as the original wheel. In that case, a hub centric ring is not required.

However, not every replica wheel is vehicle specific. Some manufacturers use a larger center bore so the same wheel can fit multiple vehicles. These wheels may require the appropriate hub centric ring.

OEM Style Wheels vs Universal Aftermarket Wheels

The important difference is whether the wheel was manufactured with a center bore specifically sized for the vehicle.

Factory OEM wheel: Normally hub centric and does not require a hub ring.

Vehicle specific replica wheel: Often hub centric and may not require a hub ring.

Universal aftermarket wheel: Often manufactured with a larger center bore to accommodate multiple vehicle applications and may require a hub centric ring.

The safest approach is always to compare the wheel's center bore with the vehicle's hub bore rather than assuming a wheel requires, or does not require, hub centric rings based solely on the wheel brand or style.

 

 

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