Wheel Adapters
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Paris Ontario
Wheel Adapters
I know the wheel adapter thing has probably been covered more than anyone cares to remember, but... What is the difference between a hub centric and a standard adapter?
I recall reading a post on here (somewhere) suggesting I buy only hub centric adapters. I see the price difference is approximately $20/pair for a wheel adapter vs. hub centric.
I'm putting them on an '84 to bolt on a set of '99 wagon wheels (17/18 staggered) I'll be using 1" front 1.25" rear.
Here's what I'm looking at:
Adapter: http://cgi.ebay.ca/Wheel-Adapters-S-...ht_4136wt_1139
Hub Centric: http://cgi.ebay.ca/Wheel-Hub-Centric...ht_4201wt_1139
I recall reading a post on here (somewhere) suggesting I buy only hub centric adapters. I see the price difference is approximately $20/pair for a wheel adapter vs. hub centric.
I'm putting them on an '84 to bolt on a set of '99 wagon wheels (17/18 staggered) I'll be using 1" front 1.25" rear.
Here's what I'm looking at:
Adapter: http://cgi.ebay.ca/Wheel-Adapters-S-...ht_4136wt_1139
Hub Centric: http://cgi.ebay.ca/Wheel-Hub-Centric...ht_4201wt_1139
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
With the tapered acorns that Chevy uses, you really don't need hubcentric, but I bought mine that way anyways. If anything, it helps you set the wheel on prior to getting a couple lugs going. Of course, put the lugnuts on properly, hand tight and cris/cross star shaped, then light wrench, then torque 50ish, then again at 100.
Cars like BMW and any other using straight type lug nuts need hubcentric or the car will shimmy and shake no matter how many times you balance the wheels (ask me how I know).
Cars like BMW and any other using straight type lug nuts need hubcentric or the car will shimmy and shake no matter how many times you balance the wheels (ask me how I know).
Last edited by socalman; Feb 28, 2011 at 07:39 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,448
Likes: 27
From: Valparaiso
I did the 3/4 for over a year but if i knew before 1" would be better.-
i bought from rigged.up seller on ebay
pretty good quality ,prices and service !
Ask him for 3/4 but i would go with 1" hands down !!!
In fact i got 1.25" on fronts and 1" on rears
for my C5 Fikse wheels
The 1" adapters i mentioned above are perfect,the stock studs do not have to be grinded or shortened at all, and this includes the recess to hide the nuts.
i bought from rigged.up seller on ebay
pretty good quality ,prices and service !
Ask him for 3/4 but i would go with 1" hands down !!!
In fact i got 1.25" on fronts and 1" on rears
for my C5 Fikse wheels
The 1" adapters i mentioned above are perfect,the stock studs do not have to be grinded or shortened at all, and this includes the recess to hide the nuts.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 10
From: New York New York
Dude, get these hub centric adapters. They have that extra piece in the middle circle that sticks out and you will feel safer driving and they are stronger. Standard adapters do not have that extra piece in the middle circle. For a few dollars more and safety I go with hub-centric.
I bought these 1" "Hub-Centric Adapters" for my car:
http://www.ezaccessory.com/Hub_Centr...475-5475hv.htm
I bought these 1" "Hub-Centric Adapters" for my car:
http://www.ezaccessory.com/Hub_Centr...475-5475hv.htm
Last edited by uptown193; Mar 1, 2011 at 10:00 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Paris Ontario
Those are what I'm looking at, from ezaccecessory. Why are they better and/or stronger? I don't understand how the lip around the hub makes them any different? The guys at ezaccessorry told me it's only for clearing your wheel hub, and is not necessary on all cars.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 10
From: New York New York
For me I feel like they are locked in more and they just make me feel safer when driving, especially with having any size wheel adapters on your car. It is just the feeling of extra support and like I said for $6 more why not get hub centric. In the end, to each is own. 
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 10
From: New York New York
I would also like to add that when you put on a set of hub centric adapters you get that extra sense of security and feeling of them kinda locking into the hub compared to basic adapters that do not give you that sense of security. I hope you understand what I am trying to say here. Like I said only $6 more each. Safety is important to me at 120 mph. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 168
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From: Paris Ontario
It's a $15-$25 difference per pair. I'm honestly clueless when it comes to why one is better than the other? All the vendor can tell me is that I may need hub centric to fit properly.
From what I can find researching the differences, the center bore is large on hub centric (in this case anyway) and they have the lip to help keep the wheel centered. But like was stated earlier given the GM flared wheel nuts they center the adapter up well. (according to the vendor this is the case also) Apparently some wheel adapters require mag nuts with the long shank to help keep them centered, these apparently do not require that.
From what I can find researching the differences, the center bore is large on hub centric (in this case anyway) and they have the lip to help keep the wheel centered. But like was stated earlier given the GM flared wheel nuts they center the adapter up well. (according to the vendor this is the case also) Apparently some wheel adapters require mag nuts with the long shank to help keep them centered, these apparently do not require that.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Paris Ontario
@uptown. I get what you're saying and I appreciate your feedback. Thank you.
This is exactly why I posted this question. I honestly don't know which way to go and if one is better than the other. Seems to be one of those things that everyone has an opinion on, and I don't know if one way is better than the other or not?
This is exactly why I posted this question. I honestly don't know which way to go and if one is better than the other. Seems to be one of those things that everyone has an opinion on, and I don't know if one way is better than the other or not?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 10
From: New York New York
It's a $15-$25 difference per pair. I'm honestly clueless when it comes to why one is better than the other? All the vendor can tell me is that I may need hub centric to fit properly.
From what I can find researching the differences, the center bore is large on hub centric (in this case anyway) and they have the lip to help keep the wheel centered. But like was stated earlier given the GM flared wheel nuts they center the adapter up well. (according to the vendor this is the case also) Apparently some wheel adapters require mag nuts with the long shank to help keep them centered, these apparently do not require that.
From what I can find researching the differences, the center bore is large on hub centric (in this case anyway) and they have the lip to help keep the wheel centered. But like was stated earlier given the GM flared wheel nuts they center the adapter up well. (according to the vendor this is the case also) Apparently some wheel adapters require mag nuts with the long shank to help keep them centered, these apparently do not require that.
I was told to buy hub-centric and that is what I did, mostly for safety reasons. I am using the nuts that came with the adapters and haven't have any problems. I also like hub-centric because it keeps the wheel centered as well. Just get those and you will be happy.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
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From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
If you get them they won't hurt anything but they aren't needed and they are no safer. They make it a little easier to line the wheel up when you put it on but that's about the only gain.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 10
From: New York New York
Like socalman said above, there are many types of cars where this would be true and hub-centric is a must. Our Vettes are not among those types of cars.
If you get them they won't hurt anything but they aren't needed and they are no safer. They make it a little easier to line the wheel up when you put it on but that's about the only gain.
If you get them they won't hurt anything but they aren't needed and they are no safer. They make it a little easier to line the wheel up when you put it on but that's about the only gain.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
regardless of how little, there MUST be SOME clearance between the 'hubcentric' protruding ring and the wheel...if there was '0' clearance the wheel either would not go on, or would 'make room'...the lug nuts ('bulge' acorn type, only, please) DO go to '0' clearance when tightened, precisely locate the wheel on the hub face, and (if made correctly) leave the hubcentric ring 'lost in space' and useless.
