Do I need hub centric rings?

[svxash]

I'm looking at summer wheels and I figure I will need new lug nuts but I don't know if I need hub centric rings.

[immortal_suby]

yes you need them.

[SVXRide]

+1 to what Matt said
-Bill

[svxash]

As far as the lugs go do I need the longer ones or should I use the short ones?

[Crazy_pilot]

Lugs? Nuts or studs? Stock length studs should work fine with any wheel unless you're running some ungodly spacer. You will want to pick up a set of lug nuts though (12x1.25 thread, 19mm hex). The stockers won't fit into smaller holes, plus they look stupid on different wheels.

[svxash]

Sorry,
I meant lug nuts. I wasn't sure if I needed the long ones or the short ones.

[Crazy_pilot]

Anything should work, I just have a set of generic chrome ones for my STi wheels. I briefly entertained the thought of some fancy Gorilla spline drive ones, but they cost a wee bit more. ($135-ish)

[svxash]

Where's the best place to get them?
Thanks

[Crazy_pilot]

I was working at a tire shop at the time, so I just grabbed a set and gave my manager $10. Depends what you want really. If you're just looking for something to do the job any tire shop should be able to help you out.

The spline drive tuner nuts are a bit nicer, and come in different colours if you prefer that. (chrome, black, red, blue...)



I'd say online is the easiest way to buy those. Try here maybe:

http://fastwrx.com/mcsplugnutse.html

And the super-fancy forged alloy nuts:

http://fastwrx.com/forallugnut.html

Note for those: HAND TOOLS ONLY, hand torque, all that good stuff. If anyone ever approaches them with an impact gun go after them with a hammer.

[svxash]

What is the correct size of the hub centric rings?

[Crazy_pilot]

It depends on the wheel. The ring has an inner and outter diameter. The inner should be 76.1 or 76.15 mm (to fit the SVX hub). The outter diameter will fit the wheel you select, so you'll need to get that spec from the wheel manufacturer.

[svxash]

Originally Posted by Crazy_pilot

It depends on the wheel. The ring has an inner and outter diameter. The inner should be 76.1 or 76.15 mm (to fit the SVX hub). The outter diameter will fit the wheel you select, so you'll need to get that spec from the wheel manufacturer.

That seems big. I think the center bore of the wheels I bought are 73mm. Aren't most Subaru's 56.1mm

[Crazy_pilot]

That sounds right to me. Sorry, it's been quite a while since I checked the fitment chart I had at my old shop. If I had a caliper on me I would just go measure one of my summer wheels that's sitting in my bedroom...

[newsvx]

You absolutely need the hub centric rings for any aftermarket rim for the SVX or any other car. The hub centric rings "center" the wheel on the hub. Without them, the balance of the wheel / tire will be off - the wheel and tire could be balanced perfectly off the car (as is the norm now on a machine), but if the wheel is off - center even just a bit, you will get a vibration. Conventional wisdom used to be that the lug nuts would "center" the wheel to the hub, but that really is not precise enough for well balanced tires on the car.

And speaking of lug nuts, don't use just ANY lug nut!!! There are different lug nuts for different wheels, so match the nuts to your specific wheel - it's the angle of the taper that you need to be concerned with. The length of the lug nut itself should not matter assuming you have a deep enough socket to tighten it with .......

My two cents based on a bit of experience over the years...

Harry

[svxash]

Which style of lug nuts are better or is it just a matter of preference? It would seem like the allen style would be more prone to getting rusty vs. the spline drive.