Question about Hubcentric Rings?

[SmokInDaSolara]

Hi folks, I haven't been here since 2004 and I need some help.

I have a 2001 Solara and I recently bought some aftermarket wheels.

I went to get them mounted and balanced at a tiresplus and the guy said I needed some hubcentric rings. So I bought some but I found the ride to have a slightly slower acceleration and vibrating steering wheel @ 50 mph. I went to another tiresplus to get it corrected and they took off the hubcentric rings. The ride is much smoother but the steering wheel tends to vibrate a bit when I drive on the freeway @ 60-65 mph on certain uphill slopes and curves. They say it just might be a balancing issue...

My question is how important hubcentric rings? When I removed them the ride became smoother but I have a concern for my new wheels becoming damaged without them.

How are polycarbon hubcentric rings?

[Sebas007]

I'm sorry but hubcentric rings are the only thing I don't know well about wheels/tires. But first, maybe give us the specs of your wheels...or at least brand/model size+width+offset.

I used search function I found this.

http://www.solaraguy.org/viewtopic.php?t=5344&highlight=hubcentric

http://www.solaraguy.org/viewtopic.php?t=32189&highlight=hubcentric

I suggest you to post Gen 1/1.5 forum since you have an Gen 1.5

[PXLpainter]

I split the topic off from the New Wheels poll - you're going to get a better response with your own thread than tagging on to someone else's unrelated thread!

[SRBGuy]

I would say they are pretty nice to have because they take the shear load off of your lug nuts and transfre it to the hub (much safer). I had to get them for my wife's Gen 2 to line them up properley and easily. Out vibration issue was mostly balancing. Make sure you get a person who knows how to balance wheels well. Some of these things are tough to get right without attention to detail.

Bottom line, I would get them. They are cheap insurance...google them and see what you find.