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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » I need some hub centric rings, but can't find the size I need!!!!

Feb. 7, 2010 11:28 a.m. z31maniac Dork

Like the title states.

I just bought a set of 17x7.5" SSR Type C RS from TireRack in Miata fitment. I went ahead and let them think I was buying these for a Miata since the last time I tried to buy wheels for a different car they flat-out refused to sell me the wheels.

So, these wheels are going on my '91 318is. So I need 72.2 --> 57.1 hub centric rings, I haven't been able to find them anywhere.

I'm going to have to run spacers anyway, but don't want to buy custom one off (read expensive) spacers just for this application.
Feb. 7, 2010 11:36 a.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork

Step 1: Buy lathe from HF with GRM 20% off coupon. Step 2: Make rings. Step 3: Make extra rings to sell to recoup investment from Step 1.

If you can find some rings already in either the right ID or the right OD, the rest of it is very easy. With a lathe.
Feb. 7, 2010 12:13 p.m. Knurled

Or Step 0: Don't use hubcentric rings. They only pilot the wheel, the lug nuts do all of the work of keeping the wheel centered.
Feb. 7, 2010 12:35 p.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

I had a similar problem with the MR2. In my experience, if you can't find them they don't exist. I sold my wheels and used something else. And without the rings, I was never able to get the wheels centered correctly without severe vibration at speed. Lug nuts can only do so much I'm afraid.
Feb. 7, 2010 1:38 p.m. z31maniac Dork

Hess, not going to buy a tool to make 4 small parts, that I will likely never use again.

Want to use your lathe and make me some?

Definitely not going to be selling these wheels anytime soon. I always regretted selling the SSRs that came on my first E30, that was part of the reason I bought these.
Feb. 7, 2010 3:01 p.m. Junkyard_Dog HalfDork

1010tires.com has what you want. You may have to sand them slightly but I bet they fit as-is
Feb. 7, 2010 3:16 p.m. splitime Reader

Check to see if you have a Discount Tire local. I found them to be cheap and locations all over for quick pickup and/or returns.
Feb. 7, 2010 6:02 p.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork

Try some more to find someone that makes them. If you absolutely can't, find some that fit your ID and are bigger than the OD you need, preferably, or that fit the OD and are smaller than the ID you need (2nd choice) and I'll make 'em the right size.

Really, when you have a lathe, all the world looks like a problem in roundness. It's the handiest tool I ever bought. I've used it for everything from fixing the toilet to fabing Mercedes parts.
Feb. 7, 2010 7:11 p.m. dean1484 Dork

Dr. Hess wrote: Really, when you have a lathe, all the world looks like a problem in roundness.

Magazine material rite there!!!! I felt that way when I got my welder years back . .. . Well except for the roundness part
Feb. 7, 2010 7:18 p.m. Toyman01 Dork

After the lathe, buy a mill and then there is nothing you can't do.

Likewise, if the Doc doesn't have time modify them, give me a shout. I ran into this problem with the wheels on the RX-7 and ended up making mine from scratch.
Feb. 7, 2010 7:43 p.m. joey48442 SuperDork

I bought a set for a Saturn at discount tire, I think I paid 8 bucks for all four. still have them, but not the car OR the wheels! Anybody need them? I think they fit a motegi wheel. Jmfnb will know for sure.

Joey
Feb. 7, 2010 7:53 p.m. DeadSkunk Reader

57.1 is a standard size for Volkswagen, so try any VW parts house on line, or try the various tire stores. I got mine from Discount Tire store locally.
Feb. 7, 2010 9:27 p.m. jimbbski New Reader

Dr. Hess wrote:

Really, when you have a lathe, all the world looks like a problem in roundness. It's the handiest tool I ever bought. I've used it for everything from fixing the toilet to fabing Mercedes parts.

So true, so true. Owner of a 12 X 24 Logan.lathe.
Feb. 7, 2010 11:03 p.m. z31maniac Dork

57.1 isn't the problem, 72.2 is.

What I've gathered from my online searching, ONLY SSR uses 72.2 which is why the rings are basically impossible to find.

I have found 72.56 -> 57.1, closest I've found.
Feb. 8, 2010 9:00 a.m. 44Dwarf HalfDork

Buy the big one and send them out to have the OD trimed in.
Feb. 8, 2010 9:27 a.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork

Get those 57.1ID, 72.56 OD ones. Turning .007" off that is a no brainer.
Feb. 8, 2010 11:29 a.m. CivicSiRacer Reader

Did you try Ebay? I got some aluminum hub centric rings for my Civic since I melted the plastic ones that came with my Kosei K1s at a track day. I think my set cost about $10?
Feb. 8, 2010 1:28 p.m. mw Reader

I'm guessing tirerack would have sent you rings for the miata? The miata uses 54.1mm id. So just take them and get 3mm removed from the ID. I used to do it all the time when I worked at a wheel shop. I would try running without any rings first. If they don't shake, you don't need them. In most situations, they don't make a difference and it won't hurt to try.
Feb. 8, 2010 3:38 p.m. z31maniac Dork

My Work wheels on my last E30 were 60.0 hub bore, without the centering rings, even with studs, we couldn't get it centered well enough to not shake.

I don't know why I didn't think to just take the hub rings they are sending me, and take them to a machine shop.

I'll give that a shot first.
Feb. 8, 2010 5:35 p.m. SpeedTheory Reader

joey48442 wrote:

I bought a set for a Saturn at discount tire, I think I paid 8 bucks for all four. still have them, but not the car OR the wheels! Anybody need them? I think they fit a motegi wheel. Jmfnb will know for sure.

Joey

Yes, for our LeMons Saturn, that'd be great.

-Ryan

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