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Hub Centric Ring

Car culture term

What is Hub Centric Ring?

A plastic or aluminum insert that fills the gap between a wheel's center bore and the vehicle's hub, ensuring the wheel centers on the hub rather than the lug bolts.

Hub centric rings (sometimes called hub rings or spigot rings) are small circular inserts made from plastic or aluminum that fit between the center bore of an aftermarket wheel and the vehicle's hub. Many aftermarket wheels have a larger center bore than the vehicle hub diameter to accommodate multiple vehicle fitments. That gap, if unfilled, means the wheel centers on the lug bolts rather than the hub face.

Centering a wheel on the lug bolts rather than the hub can cause vibration at highway speeds, uneven lug nut stress, and in extreme cases wheel runout problems. Hub centric rings eliminate the gap so the wheel seats correctly on the hub bore, which is the proper load-bearing surface. The result is smoother operation and more even distribution of forces across the hub face.

Hub centric rings are inexpensive (often sold in sets of four for under $20) and highly recommended any time an aftermarket wheel with a larger center bore is installed. Plastic rings are adequate for street use. Aluminum rings are preferred for track use or high-temperature applications because plastic rings can warp or melt from heat generated by heavy braking. Always verify the correct inside diameter (matching hub) and outside diameter (matching wheel center bore) before purchasing.

Related terms

Wheel SpacersWheel offsetBolt patternBig brake kitCoilovers

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I don't use hub centric rings?
The wheel centers on the lug bolts instead of the hub. This can cause vibration at speed, uneven lug nut loading, and wheel runout. Some vehicles and wheel combinations work fine without them; others vibrate noticeably. The cost of hub centric rings is minimal, so there is little reason to skip them.
What size hub centric ring do I need?
You need two measurements: the vehicle hub OD (outer diameter of the hub flange) and the wheel center bore ID (inner diameter of the wheel's center hole). The hub centric ring's inner diameter must match the hub OD exactly and the outer diameter must match the wheel's center bore ID exactly.
Are plastic or aluminum hub centric rings better?
Aluminum rings are better for track use and high-heat applications because plastic can warp or melt near hot brakes. For street use, quality plastic rings work fine and are far cheaper. If you do regular track days or mountain driving with heavy braking, aluminum rings are the more reliable choice.
Can hub centric rings fall out when removing the wheel?
Yes, they sometimes stick to the hub or wheel and fall off when you pull the wheel. They are not held in by anything mechanical. Keep them with your spare tire kit and note to reinstall them when the wheel goes back on. Losing a set is inconvenient but not dangerous as long as you notice before reinstalling the wheel without them.
Do OEM wheels need hub centric rings?
Factory OEM wheels are machined to match the exact hub bore of the vehicle they came on, so no rings are needed. The OEM center bore and hub diameter are matched at the factory. Hub centric rings are an aftermarket solution for wheels designed to fit multiple vehicles with different hub diameters.
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