When shopping for aftermarket wheels, there's an important component that often gets overlooked but plays a crucial role in proper wheel installation: hub-centric rings. Let's break down what these are, why they matter, and how to determine if you need them for your new wheels.

What Are Hub-Centric Rings?

Hub-centric rings are precisely machined spacers that fill the gap between your vehicle's hub and the center bore of an aftermarket wheel. They're typically made of plastic, aluminum, or steel and serve to center the wheel perfectly on the hub.

Why Are Hub-Centric Rings Important?

Without proper centering, your wheels may experience:

• Vibration at highway speeds
• Uneven tire wear
• Stress on wheel studs or bolts
• Reduced handling performance

Most factory wheels are designed to be hub-centric, meaning they match the exact hub bore size of your specific vehicle. However, aftermarket wheels are often manufactured with larger center bores to fit multiple vehicle applications.

How to Determine if You Need Hub-Centric Rings

When shopping at TFS Wheels, follow these steps to determine if you'll need hub rings:

1. Identify Your Vehicle's Hub Bore Specification:
   • Visit tfswheels.com/collections/wheels
   • Enter your complete vehicle information (Year, Make, Model, Submodel)
   • Look for the "Hub Bore" specification in the detailed vehicle info section (as shown in the image below, where a BMW 540I xDrive has a hub bore of 66.6)
     
     
     
     Figure 1
     
     
     
2. Check the Wheel's Centerbore/Hub Specification:
   • Open the product page of the wheel you're interested in
   • Look for the "Centerbore/Hub" specification in the wheel specs section
   • Compare this number to your vehicle's hub bore
     
     
     
     Figure 2
     
     
3. Determine Compatibility:
   • If the wheel's hub bore matches your vehicle's (or the difference is very minimal), the wheels are considered hub-centric and you won't need rings
   • If the wheel's hub bore is larger than your vehicle's (which is common with aftermarket wheels), you'll need hub-centric rings
   • If the wheel's hub bore is smaller than your vehicle's, the wheel simply won't fit
     
     
     
     Figure 3
     
     

For example, in Figure 3, the BBS LM wheel has a centerbore of 82.00, while in Figure 2, the Vossen HF-5 has a centerbore of 66.56. If your vehicle has a hub bore of 66.6 (like the BMW 540I in Figure 1), you would need hub rings for the BBS wheel, but not for the Vossen wheel.

Why Aftermarket Wheels Have Larger Hub Bores

Most aftermarket wheels are intentionally manufactured with larger center bores to make them compatible with multiple vehicle applications. This doesn't indicate lower quality – it's a practical manufacturing decision. That's why you shouldn't worry about finding "hub-centric fitments" specifically, but rather focus on:

1. Overall wheel fitment (diameter, width, offset)
2. Style and aesthetics
3. Whether hub rings will be needed (as a final consideration)
   

Where to Get Hub-Centric Rings

At TFS Wheels, you have several options:

1. Complete Installation Kit: Includes both the necessary lug bolts/nuts AND hub rings if needed. Our experts verify all information for accuracy.
   • Wheel Installation Kit Set
2. Hub Rings Only: If you only need the hub rings:
   • Hub-Centric Rings (Set of 4)
   • Make sure your vehicle information is filled out during checkout, and we'll send the correct size for your selected wheels
3. Lug Nuts/Bolts Only: If you don't need hub rings but want quality hardware:
   • Accessories Collection
     

Important Note on Ordering Hub Rings Separately

If you're purchasing hub rings separately from wheels, please:

• Include your complete vehicle information during checkout
• Provide the part number of your wheels if possible
• Or describe your wheels in as much detail as you can

This ensures you receive the correctly sized hub rings for your specific application.

By understanding hub-centric rings and following these guidelines, you can ensure a smoother, safer ride with your new aftermarket wheels from TFS Wheels.