What is Hub Centric Ring?
The hub centric ring is a device used with the aftermarket wheels and are installed between the car wheel hub and the wheel. The purpose of the hub centric ring is to fill the empty space between the wheel hub and the center bore of the wheel. Hub centric rings are usually made of durable industrial plastic or aluminum.
Why needed?
Hub centric rings are needed when the hub hole (the center bore) on the wheel is larger (typically 73.1mm) than the wheel hub of the car. The wheel manufacturers deliberately make the hub ring as large as possible for the rim, taking in to consideration the hub hole, to allow the same wheels to be sold for the various different models of car using hub centric rings.
Hub centric rings are usually needed only for aftermarket wheels, since the original wheels usually come with a center bore of the right size. Usually the hub centric rings are used with alloy wheels, but sometimes steel rims may need hub centric rings.
The purpose of the centric ring is to perfectly center the alloy wheel to the wheel hub and hence prevent vibration to the steering wheel during driving and the shaking which typically appears around speeds of 40-60 mph.