MrG4Life

iTrader: (14)

I have a set of plastic hub rings that I purchased brand new back in 2009 and have used them on three sets of wheels. After mounting my summer wheels several months ago, the car does not handle as it normally would. It's a loose feeling whenever I hit a bump or drive over imperfections on the road. Keep in mind that the bumps can be small and I still feel looseness like a wheel is going to fall off. I confirmed that my lugs were all tight and I even tried other lugnuts but that didn't help. My front suspension components such as ball joints, caster arms, steering rack bushings and tie rods were all replaced with new parts within the last year and half or so. With that said I do not suspect that that it is something related to my suspension parts. Right now the only thing that I suspect would be the hub rings.I do have slight vibrations but not enough to annoy me. Was wondering if the hub rings is wearable part such as bushings that would need to be replaced at some point. Remember that these are not metal hub rings.

-G

offbad

iTrader: (5)

pretty sure that with heat and friction, plastic disintegrates.

NorthStyle

iTrader: (16)

I wouldn't say they "disintegrate"... but they're a wearable item. I tend to replace them once a year since they're so cheap and a relatively painless thing to do

MrG4Life

iTrader: (14)

Replace once a year... isn't that overkill? They run around 15 bucks or so for the set but replacing them every year seems like a little too much.

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offbad

iTrader: (5)

how many mm are you running?

MrG4Life

iTrader: (14)

I'm pretty sure they are 60.1mm

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NorthStyle

iTrader: (16)

Might be overkill... but $15 and 10 min once a year isn't a big deal to me.

shurian

iTrader: (9)

Get an aluminum hub rings they last for a long time ,dont use this platic ****ty rings
Do it right from beginning!!!

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

i think this is a good observation that many people over look and could possibly fix many of the vibration issues... I to have had mince for many years and 3 sets of wheels later. I have noticed some gouges on a few of them but for the most part they look intact.. Granted if there worn on the edges that means there not sitting flush and could cause issues IMO.....

MrG4Life

iTrader: (14)

I failed to mention this since I did not think it would be an issue. During the time when I use to daily my GS, I was switching between my summer and winter wheels and I recall having to use a screwdriver and mallet to remove my hub rings. Apparently they got stuck to the hub and could not be easily removed. I began using antiseize to prevent it from happening again but my rings do have gouges in them. Again I did not think they are big enough to cause that loose feeling I described earlier. I've also PM'ed Charles over at B2Designs to share his input in this thread since I bought my hub rings from them and curious what his thoughts are. I'll try to remove my wheel this weekend and take a pic of the hub ring.

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

i checked Ebay after reading this thread and the aluminum rings are under $20 shipped... This may or not be your issue but for under $20 its worth a try.. I also feel like the slightest bump can take our alignment out of spec very quickly as this has happened in the past.. also make sure that no wheel weights have fallen off...

Lutkis

I wouldn't change for aluminum ones. If it's hard enough to take the plastic rings off try taking the aluminum rings off when they've been there a while..

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

i'm guessing you have the aluminum ones?

Lutkis

I have and have had plastic ones. I haven't heard anything good about aluminum rings, quite the opposite.
But each to their own way.

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

any difference in road and tire feel between the two?