Hub Centric Wheel Spacers Vs Non-Hub Centric
I recently spoke with a friend who was in the market for Tesla Model 3 wheel spacers. He said the information online left him feeling overwhelmed and asked me for advice.
My buddy had questions regarding the hub centric and lug centric spacers. He wanted to know the difference, whether wheel spacers affect anything, and which option was safer.
You’re probably looking for similar answers.
I thought I’d provide some clarity on the hub centric wheel spacers vs non-hub centric wheel spacers dilemma. But without making it too complicated.
I’ll start by explaining the differences.
What’s the Difference Between Hub Centric & Non-Hub Centric?
Before discussing spacers, we need to talk about wheels real quick. As Charles Roberts states in one of the Machine Design articles:
“There are two commonly used ways to fasten wheels to a hub: lug centric and hub centric.”
As you probably figured, lug centric is another way to say non-hub centric wheel. Here is how each one of those configurations works.
Hub Centric Wheels
The hub centric design is mainly found in factory wheels (OEM). It means that the wheel’s center bore fits precisely onto the vehicle’s hub. In this setup, the wheel is primarily centered and supported by the hub, with the lug nuts or bolts securing it.
Lug Centric Wheels
On the other hand, lug centric or non-hub centric wheels are centered and supported by the lug nuts (bolts) rather than the hub. This setup is used mainly by aftermarket wheel manufacturers. They must make the center bore bigger for the wheel to fit on different vehicles.
What’s a Hub Centric Wheel Spacer?
These wheel spacers replicate the hub centric mounting of the vehicle’s original wheels. It ensures that the additional space it creates between the wheel and the hub assembly doesn’t compromise the integrity of the wheel connection.
Think of it as a middleman that makes sure your car’s wheels stay tight and centered on the hub.
Are Hub Centric Spacers Safe?
Yes, being a precision-engineered component that perfectly matches the wheel hub diameter of your specific vehicle, the hub centric wheel spacers are safe.
A good-quality spacer will fit just right, keeping everything balanced. Get spacers from reputable brands, and you won’t have to worry about weird wobbles when you drive.
What’s a Lug Centric Wheel Spacer?
Similar to a non-hub centric wheel, a lug centric spacer has a bigger center hole, so it can be used on various vehicles. Thus, the load goes on the lug nuts and not the hub.
Are Lug Centric Spacers Safe?
Suppose you want a minor offset adjustment (3-5mm) to get the flush fitment for your new aftermarket wheels. In that case, you’ll be fine installing universal spacers with lug centric design.
I wouldn’t recommend using those for anything bigger than 5mm, as they’ll put more stress on the wheel studs. Thus, non-hub centric spacers might be bad for your vehicle.
Conclusion: What’s the Best Type of Wheel Spacer?
As I mentioned above, non-hub centric wheel spacers are definitely not your best option when modifying a car due to safety concerns. Still, those will do for a daily driver.
Based on my experience with a dozen street cars, 10-15mm slip-on hub centric spacers are a great choice when compared to pricey offset rims. Of course, you must have them installed adequately with extended wheel bolts so your wheels won’t fall off.
For those aiming for a more aggressive stance using wheel spacers thicker than 15mm, your best option are hub centric bolt-ons (shown in the photo.) These not only bolt onto the studs of the axle but have their own studs as well, where the wheels get attached.
If you have eyes on aftermarket wheels with bolt patterns that don’t match, you’ll need adapters. To get familiar with the difference between wheel spacers and adapters, read this article.
