Currently, the market of auto partsliterally "colorful" a variety of types of alloy wheels. However, their specific models are created for a particular brand of car: for example, wheel rims for Mercedes or Audi.
If you install castings on other brands, thenyou can face such a nuisance, as disc mismatch and the wheel hole. To solve this problem, use spacer rings. It is about them that will be discussed in our article.
As mentioned above, modern industryprovides a motorist a huge selection of cast rims. However, companies, in order to make a profit, create these parts for certain brands of cars. Well, the cost of wheel rims depends on the class of cars. For example, putting a mold on a BMW will be more expensive than a Renault.
If we use spacer rings, thenwheel disks are "unified" and it is possible to install these spare parts from other car brands on the car. Of course, there are other options in which it is possible to install alloy wheels intended for other brands of cars. True, such fastening will not be absolutely strong, which will lead to the emergence of a dangerous situation on the road.
The installation of spacer rings mustbe carried out in accordance with the dimensions of the vehicle hub and spacer hole. The ring is put on the hub with a corresponding hole, and on the other side of the wheel is installed. The part can be purchased at the auto parts store, or, having a drawing of spacer rings on their hands, make them yourself. But this is if you have the necessary skills.
As mentioned earlier, the problem of non-compliancethe centering hole of the wheel disc and the size of the hub cylinder is quite common. To solve it, centering spacer rings are used.
Before installing the disc, you need to make surein that the centering hole is larger than the "standard" hole. Thus, the ring will play an important role in the fixed installation of the wheel. If the centering hole is smaller than the "standard" hole, then the installation of such a disk will have to be abandoned.
For the right choice of rings, you need to clearly definethe diameter of the disk hole and the diameter of the car's hub. The first figure corresponds to the outer dimension of the part, and the second corresponds to the inner hole.
If the rings were not matched correctly, then there will bedeviation. If they are available, the installation of centering spacer rings becomes meaningless, as incorrectly selected parts will not perform their functions.
The manufacture of spacer rings is carried out inindustrial scales. However, there are cases when the parts manufactured by the industrial method were not suitable for operation. If there is no suitable spare part for sale, then it is necessary to measure the centering and spacer holes, create a drawing of the rings and make them independently with the help of a lathe.
But for this you need to have professionallathe skills and a good machine, as the creation of spacer rings requires the recess of small parts. When you make a spare part yourself, you need to select the right material. The metal from which it is planned to carve the spacer ring should be softer than the material from which the hub and the disc itself are made.
Dimensions of spacer rings for disks are measuredtwo indicators. The first is determined by the diameter of the centering hole in the disk, the second - by the diameter of the spacer hub of the car hub. Units of measurement are millimeters.
For example, in the marking of the spacer ring "70.1 mm-66.1 mm": 70.1 mm - outer diameter of the ring (centering hole diameter), 66.1 mm - inner diameter (diameter of the spacer hub of the hub).
It is important to remember that any discrepancy in size will lead to a loose fit of the wheel, the occurrence of knocking and "rattling" and as a consequence - the failure of the suspension of the car.
Aluminum spacer rings have a solidresource of wear resistance. After all, the main purpose of this part is a more accurate fixation of the disc to the wheel. It does not experience a particular load, since conical nuts are responsible for fastening.
The only load on the ring occurs whenrepeated removal and installation of a wheel. Aluminum, thanks to its properties, perfectly copes with maintaining the dimensions and ensuring a tight fixation of the wheel on the hub of the vehicle hub. The only thing that can threaten aluminum rings is the appearance of corrosion, which can spread to other parts of the car.
In general, aluminum rings are quite reliable and durable. These properties allow them to be used in difficult road conditions and with high intensity of vehicle operation.
There is a widespread view thatplastic spacer rings are quite inefficient. This is explained by the less rigid material. Nevertheless, plastic parts can withstand several removals and wheel settings.
When worn out, the conformity in size andthe rings cease to function. Their advantages include cheapness, practicality, as well as lack of corrosion, which can not be said about aluminum rings.
At present, plastic rings are made of a fairly solid material that is capable of withstanding a certain kind of load and keeping its size.
Before purchasing this part, it is worthdetermine the material of the rings. With frequent changes of wheels, operation of the car under adverse road conditions, and also with a high intensity of vehicle use, aluminum rings are mounted on the car.
Plastic rings are perfect foroperation in places with high humidity. The main advantages of plastic are immunity to moisture, as well as cheapness. In addition, the plastic rings are made of solid plastic, so at least 5-6 cycles of removing and installing the wheel should be enough with a vengeance.
Despite the fact that the spacer centeringrings - this is just a "corrective" detail, they play an important role in providing comfort while driving. When choosing them, the features of the material from which they are made should be taken into account. In the worst case, the fastening will be unreliable, which will lead to suspension problems when the car is used. Using improper rings can also lead to hazardous situations on the road.
As mentioned earlier, when selecting spacersrings must strictly take into account the dimensions. If the centering hole of the disc is larger than the hub, then this can be eliminated with their help. If on the contrary, the installation of the ring becomes impractical. What will happen if you use an inappropriate piece?
First, the wheel will begin to beat, that is,will "jump" on the hub up and down, which in the end result in the failure of its parts, suspension, as well as the deformation of the cast disc. Secondly, the malfunctions mentioned earlier contribute to the creation of an emergency on the road, endangering the life and health of the driver and passengers.
If you do them yourself,that the metal of manufacture should be softer than that from which the hub and bearings are made. Then, if the ring is incorrectly installed (and no one is insured against mistakes), it is the centering element that will be destroyed as a result of the beating. Well, the bearings and the hub will remain "safe and sound". This, in turn, will facilitate the subsequent repair of the vehicle.
The use of unsuitable rings does not ensure the accuracy of the fit. And this has a detrimental effect on the state of the chassis of the car.
Despite the fact that the manufacturers of wheel rimstry to maximally unify their product, there are a number of details that are created for specific models of machines. When tuning a vehicle, many motorists look towards the "representative" discs, which greatly improve its appearance.
If the dimensions of the hub and the centerhole disk is an inaccurate wheel landing. This also has a detrimental effect on the details of the chassis of the car: suspension, shock absorbers, bearings and hub. The failure of these elements leads to an emergency on the road and expensive repairs to the car.
If by any parameters the wheel disks are notapproach the hub, do not despair. You can purchase and install the centering rings. Thanks to them, the wheel alignment will be accurate, and this will protect the suspension parts from destruction. In addition, correctly selected rings are the guarantee of excellent controllability of the vehicle.
It should be noted that if the diameter of the center hole of the disc is lower than the diameter of the hub, then its purchase should be discarded. The use of rings in this case is inappropriate.
Summarizing the above, it should be noted,that the centering rings ensure the exact fit of the wheel. Parts are used when replacing factory disks with cast ones. If the size of the center hole located on the disk does not match, and the hubs use centering rings.
In order to properly select them, you needclearly know the size of the hole in the disc and the diameter of the hole in the hub. If the necessary parts are not on sale, they can be manufactured independently. If the spacer rings (sizes) do not match, they will not perform their functions.
Further on the material ... Spacer ringsare made of plastic and aluminum. Plastic parts are cheaper, but less resource-intensive: they are enough for about 5-6 wheel replacements. However, the undisputed advantage of plastic is its corrosion resistance.
Aluminum rings are quite reliable, theyallow you to install and remove the wheel a few dozen times. In addition, the metal part is immune to the intensity of vehicle operation. However, it is affected by corrosion, which can lead to spoilage and other parts of the car's suspension.
