Purchasing a set of Work Wheels today...what's this about hub centric rings?

[stratodyne]

Hey everyone! After the plethora of advice I received on my suspension / wheel / tire questions from a little while back (see this thread... http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35284), I have one final question before I click the "Checkout" button on the frsport.com website...

The wheels I am purchasing are the 17x8 Work Emotion CR-Kai wheels, with +42 offset (Matte Gunmetal!!!! ). I'm picking up some chrome vanadium Muteki lugs (with locks) from Rallysport Direct as well, and after doing some research, I am unsure of whether or not I will need to purchase a set of hub centric rings for these wheels.

The consensus for the FRS / BRZ owners is that they are a useful aid for idiot-proofing the installation of aftermarket wheels, though they can also be unnecessary. I will be having my wheels / tires professionally installed at my local Discount Tire store, where their only offerings for hub centric rings are plastic.

(Forum references 1. http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...bcentric+rings, 2. http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...bcentric+rings)

So what's the poop on these things? Necessary or not? I don't even know what size is appropriate for our cars If this ends up being "another one of those rings threads," then please feel free to let me know and I'll have an admin close it down. Thanks guys!

P.S. - I'm also getting the Michelin Pilot Super Sports in 225/45 for these wheels. I'm super excited!!!

[Tiremonkey0824]

I have run two sets of wheels on my frs without hub rings without any issue. It just comes down to who installs them and how. I have always been the only person to bolt my wheels up because I don't trust anybody else. If you don't use hub rings make sure that the lugs get ran up all the way by hand and then nice and tight with the impact. This will ensure that the lugs sit perfectly in the holes on the wheel and there is no off-centering on the hub. Hub rings only act as a guide to do this perfectly, that's why they can be made of plastic and not break.

[Drftfan]

I use hub rings. All the time. Every time.
You can make your own call though

[mattles]

I never use hub rings, because the plastic inevitably melts onto either the wheel or hub after one good heat cycle of the front brakes. If you mount your wheel carefully and torque the lugs in a star pattern equally (and to spec) then you wont have any issues anyways. The wheel studs and lug nuts are designed to be 100% centered on the hub.

[yoshiharadesign]

We recommend rings to be able to keep wheels aligned during installation to prevent possible vibrations as we have seen installations without rings result in vibrations a high speeds. Plastic is ok provided they are high temp resistant.