Quick answer: A hub-centric ring is a spacer ring that fills the gap between your car's hub and a wheel's larger centre bore, so the wheel is centred on the hub and not just on the wheel nuts. Every SpeedWorks passenger wheel has a 73.1 mm centre bore, so if your hub is smaller than that, you need a ring with a 73.1 mm outside diameter and an inside diameter that matches your hub. Our rings come in 56.1, 60.1, 64.1, 66.1, 66.9, 67.1, 70.3 and 70.7 mm inner sizes.
Why the centre bore matters
The centre bore is the large hole in the middle of the wheel that slips over the raised lip (the hub spigot) on your car's hub. Factory wheels are usually machined to match their car's hub exactly, so the hub carries the wheel and holds it perfectly centred.
Aftermarket wheels have to suit many cars, so they're made with a larger bore. SW passenger wheels use 73.1 mm. On most cars that leaves a gap between the hub and the wheel. With nothing filling it, the wheel is centred only by the tapered seats of the wheel nuts. This is called lug-centric mounting.
Lug-centric mounting can work if the nuts are tightened carefully in a star pattern with the car's weight off the wheel. But it's easy to tighten a wheel slightly off-centre, and that can cause a vibration through the steering wheel at highway speeds. A hub-centric ring removes the guesswork: the wheel locates on the hub every time, just like a factory wheel.
Ring sizes
All our rings have a 73.1 mm outer diameter to suit SW passenger wheels. Choose the inner diameter that matches your car's hub.
| Inner diameter | Alloy rings | Plastic rings |
|---|---|---|
| 56.1 mm | Yes | Yes |
| 60.1 mm | Yes | Yes |
| 64.1 mm | Yes | Yes |
| 66.1 mm | Yes | Yes |
| 66.9 mm | Yes | Yes |
| 67.1 mm | Yes | Yes |
| 70.3 mm | No | Yes |
| 70.7 mm | Yes | Yes |
Not sure of your hub size? Both the alloy rings and the plastic rings have a "Pick for me" option. Tell us your car and we'll choose the right ring.
Common hub sizes
These are typical factory hub bores for popular makes. Always confirm the figure for your exact model before you order, because some makes use more than one size.
| Make (typical) | Hub bore | Ring to order |
|---|---|---|
| Subaru | 56.1 mm | 73.1 to 56.1 |
| Toyota / Lexus passenger cars | 60.1 mm | 73.1 to 60.1 |
| Honda | 64.1 mm | 73.1 to 64.1 |
| Nissan | 66.1 mm | 73.1 to 66.1 |
| Mitsubishi, Mazda, Hyundai | 67.1 mm | 73.1 to 67.1 |
| VW / Audi | 57.1 mm | Not in our list. Message us |
| BMW (E46, E90, E92) | 72.6 mm | Not in our list. Message us |
If your hub size isn't one of our ring sizes, message us before ordering and we'll talk you through the options.
When you need hub-centric rings
- Your hub is smaller than 73.1 mm. This applies to most passenger cars. A ring is strongly recommended.
- You have a vibration after fitting new wheels. If the tyres have been balanced and the vibration is still there, off-centre mounting is a common cause, and rings usually fix it.
- Your hub is exactly 73.1 mm. You don't need a ring. The wheel is already hub-centric.
Rings don't apply to our 4x4 wheels. The SW11 and SW21 have a 110.1 mm centre bore, and our rings are made for the 73.1 mm passenger bore. Message us about 4x4 centring.
Alloy or plastic?
Both do the same job of centring the wheel. Alloy rings are more rigid and stand up better to heat and repeated fitting. They suit track days, hard driving and cars that get their wheels changed often. Plastic rings are a light, cost-effective choice for street cars and are the only option in the 70.3 mm size. Whichever you choose, the ring must fit snugly on the hub and in the wheel. A loose ring won't centre anything.
How to fit hub-centric rings
- Step 1: Clean any rust and dirt off the hub spigot and the wheel's centre bore.
- Step 2: Push the ring into the back of the wheel's centre bore, or onto the hub, until it sits flush.
- Step 3: Lift the wheel onto the studs and check that it sits flat against the hub face.
- Step 4: Start all the nuts by hand, then tighten them in a star pattern to your vehicle manufacturer's specified torque.
- Step 5: Re-check the torque after a short drive.
A ring centres the wheel, but it doesn't carry the car's weight on its own. The clamping force of correctly torqued wheel nuts does that. Rings are a fitting aid, not a substitute for proper tightening.
Frequently asked questions
What size hub-centric ring do I need for SpeedWorks wheels?
The outer diameter is always 73.1 mm. The inner diameter must match your car's hub. Our rings come in 56.1, 60.1, 64.1, 66.1, 66.9, 67.1, 70.3 (plastic only) and 70.7 mm.
Can I drive without hub-centric rings?
Many cars can run lug-centric if the nuts are tightened carefully. But rings make centring consistent and are the simplest fix if you feel a vibration. We recommend them whenever your hub is smaller than 73.1 mm.
Do hub-centric rings come with the wheels?
Wheels come with free SpeedWorks centre caps. Hub-centric rings are a separate item: alloy or plastic.
What if my hub size isn't on your list?
Message us with your make, model and year. Don't fit a ring that's even slightly the wrong size.