Do my adapters need to be wheel-centric?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 859
Likes: 8
Do my adapters need to be wheel-centric?
I'm buying a set of wheel adapters to fit C6 wheels on my 85. The seller says the adapters are already hub centric, but if I want them to be wheel-centric, I will need to pay $100 extra. Is this necessary? I'm sorry, I'm a newbie to wheel adapters, so I really have no clue what "wheel centric" means. Thanks.
BTW here's the link to the adapters I'm thinking about. Let me know what you think of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...3AAAQ%3AUS%3A1
BTW here's the link to the adapters I'm thinking about. Let me know what you think of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...3AAAQ%3AUS%3A1
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Wtf?
Adapters (or spacers) are either hub-centric or not. I've never heard of "wheel centric".
Hub centric simply means theres a flange around the center hole of what you're buying. This gives the wheel something to stay centered on after moving the wheel out past the existing hub. The flange can only be created when the adapter/spacer is wider than the factory hub's thickness. For my '89 vette, it's 1/2".
How important is being hub-centric? The experts say very. I can't personally say. When 5 bolts are held in line by traveling through the wheel backing plate AND a thick spacer, I would think this would do a pretty good job of keeping the wheel centered by itself.
Hub centric simply means theres a flange around the center hole of what you're buying. This gives the wheel something to stay centered on after moving the wheel out past the existing hub. The flange can only be created when the adapter/spacer is wider than the factory hub's thickness. For my '89 vette, it's 1/2".
How important is being hub-centric? The experts say very. I can't personally say. When 5 bolts are held in line by traveling through the wheel backing plate AND a thick spacer, I would think this would do a pretty good job of keeping the wheel centered by itself.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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How thick?
Maybe most importantly - how thick of a spacer do you need to do the conversion? I had mine manufactured as a "thru-spacer" 18mm thick and it's hubcentric to the spindle hub.The spacer is what I think he's trying to explain to you as "wheel-centric"! My spacer flange is more snug to the wheel than the wheel was to the factory hub. I had the dimensions I had mine done to on paper and the fellow who did them is a great guy. I can't put my hands on the paper but I sure liked the final product. I used some longer studs and the spacers were drilled to 12mm stud "fit"! They weren't inexpensive! A pair for $160 but to my specs!
The thickness required will dictate just what you really need and how to go about it. Most spacers with studs in them like the link has pictured start at 3/4" and get thicker. Post what you believe you need in thickness and I'll give you an opinion and send you in the direction of the fellow who did mine!
The thickness required will dictate just what you really need and how to go about it. Most spacers with studs in them like the link has pictured start at 3/4" and get thicker. Post what you believe you need in thickness and I'll give you an opinion and send you in the direction of the fellow who did mine!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by WVZR1
Maybe most importantly - how thick of a spacer do you need to do the conversion? I had mine manufactured as a "thru-spacer" 18mm thick and it's hubcentric to the spindle hub.The spacer is what I think he's trying to explain to you as "wheel-centric"! My spacer flange is more snug to the wheel than the wheel was to the factory hub....
On your 18mm spacer, do you have a 1/2" flange sticking out from it?
Originally Posted by WVZR1
Most spacers with studs in them like the link has pictured start at 3/4" and get thicker. Post what you believe you need in thickness and I'll give you an opinion and send you in the direction of the fellow who did mine!
An adapter attaches to the factory studs. And, it has its own pressed in studs to which the wheel attaches. In other words, an adapter bolts to the car -- while the wheel bolts to the adapter. A spacer is more like a giant washer with holes for the studs in it.
It is important to understand the difference in terminology if/when placing an order. I understand this may sound like nit-picking but I want to make sure the original poster understands there's a difference!
gp
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Seattle Area WA
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
87vette bought from this guy and had a bad experience.
Ask him first. I think the seller just disappeared for a month or something without contact.
Ask him first. I think the seller just disappeared for a month or something without contact.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
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From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Originally Posted by USAsOnlyWay
I would stay away from this guy.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
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I emailed the guy asking what he meant by "wheel centric" and this is what I got back:
Wheel centric means the adapters will have a lip to slip inside of the centerhole on the wheel.
Still not quite sure what this means. Anyone?
Wheel centric means the adapters will have a lip to slip inside of the centerhole on the wheel.
Still not quite sure what this means. Anyone?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
..."How important is being hub-centric? The experts say very. I can't personally say. "
I can personally say this...I got adaptors on my 86 Coupe, mainly so that I could use HD 2-piston 13" brakes while retaining the stock 16" wheels. The by-product was that fr. and rear track increased, which I don't think is a bad thing.
With mine, all is good until I hit about 130mph, then there is a fierce vibration coming from the front end....
Upon close inspection, I found that one of the adaptors was not sitting 100% in the middle of the hub...There is a little free-play between the adaptor and the nuts that secure it to the hub, and with patience, they can be centralised. But it seems to be a hit and miss affair...loosen off the nuts, make a small adjustment, tighten, check, then do it again until it is right.
I was lucky, as it was only the left side that was out, which seemed right, as when I felt the vibe it seemed to come from that part of the car.
As for centralising the wheel on to the adaptor...mm...you got me there....as the stock nuts for my stock wheels are "counter-sunk", and automatically centre themselves on to the adaptor...
I can personally say this...I got adaptors on my 86 Coupe, mainly so that I could use HD 2-piston 13" brakes while retaining the stock 16" wheels. The by-product was that fr. and rear track increased, which I don't think is a bad thing.
With mine, all is good until I hit about 130mph, then there is a fierce vibration coming from the front end....
Upon close inspection, I found that one of the adaptors was not sitting 100% in the middle of the hub...There is a little free-play between the adaptor and the nuts that secure it to the hub, and with patience, they can be centralised. But it seems to be a hit and miss affair...loosen off the nuts, make a small adjustment, tighten, check, then do it again until it is right.
I was lucky, as it was only the left side that was out, which seemed right, as when I felt the vibe it seemed to come from that part of the car.
As for centralising the wheel on to the adaptor...mm...you got me there....as the stock nuts for my stock wheels are "counter-sunk", and automatically centre themselves on to the adaptor...
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by gregm999
I emailed the guy asking what he meant by "wheel centric" and this is what I got back:
Wheel centric means the adapters will have a lip to slip inside of the centerhole on the wheel.
Still not quite sure what this means. Anyone?
Wheel centric means the adapters will have a lip to slip inside of the centerhole on the wheel.
Still not quite sure what this means. Anyone?
If, after reading it, you still don't understand, take the front wheel off your car and look at how the wheel slides over the center hole. Then imagine a piece of metal thick enough to eliminate the center hub by sitting out flush with it. To get the centering "post" back, you need an adapter with a center flange ("post") on it.
Quite fooling with this ebay guy. Do a search on wheel adapters and contact two or three of the top sites. Talk to them. You'll understand better and get a handle on pricing.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
I've never heard of "wheel-centric".
Hub-centric means the adapter/spacer is bored to fit snugly on the car's hub AND has a raised flange around that bore to fit snugly into the wheel, thereby centering the wheel to the hub.
Why an adapter/spacer would have the bore to fit the hub but not the flange to fit the wheel is beyond my understanding.
It would accomplish nothing.
I think the guy is just trying to get an extra hundred bucks out of you.
Tell him you are buying 'hub-centric' units and expect them to have both the proper bore and the proper flange that hub-centric units have. (the supplier will need to know the bore of the wheel that you are going to use) If they can't supply them at a reasonable price, go elsewhere.
Is the hub-centric feature required?? I've put aftermarket wheels on cars that absolutely required them to be hub-centric.....and I've put aftermarket wheels on vehicles that worked fine without them. If it were me making the decision; I'd always get the hub-centric feature.
That way there'd be no regrets.
If you have problems, try these guys: http://www.prestigewheel.com/
They aren't cheap, but they seem to know what they are doing. I've used them and can recommend them.
Larry
code5coupe
Hub-centric means the adapter/spacer is bored to fit snugly on the car's hub AND has a raised flange around that bore to fit snugly into the wheel, thereby centering the wheel to the hub.
Why an adapter/spacer would have the bore to fit the hub but not the flange to fit the wheel is beyond my understanding.
It would accomplish nothing.I think the guy is just trying to get an extra hundred bucks out of you.
Tell him you are buying 'hub-centric' units and expect them to have both the proper bore and the proper flange that hub-centric units have. (the supplier will need to know the bore of the wheel that you are going to use) If they can't supply them at a reasonable price, go elsewhere.
Is the hub-centric feature required?? I've put aftermarket wheels on cars that absolutely required them to be hub-centric.....and I've put aftermarket wheels on vehicles that worked fine without them. If it were me making the decision; I'd always get the hub-centric feature.
That way there'd be no regrets.
If you have problems, try these guys: http://www.prestigewheel.com/
They aren't cheap, but they seem to know what they are doing. I've used them and can recommend them.
Larry
code5coupe
Last edited by rocco16; Mar 2, 2006 at 03:13 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by gregm999
I emailed the guy asking what he meant by "wheel centric" and this is what I got back:
Wheel centric means the adapters will have a lip to slip inside of the centerhole on the wheel.
Still not quite sure what this means. Anyone?
Wheel centric means the adapters will have a lip to slip inside of the centerhole on the wheel.
Still not quite sure what this means. Anyone?
Those are hub-centric. This guy calls them wheel centric. Same difference.
