Originally posted by weargle:
Yup, and since the seat is conical, unless something miraculous happens, it will bear that load multi-axial. Meaning (drum roll please) that the lugs play at least a part in holding wheel centered to the hub.

Based on the equations I furnished, which the other recognized as worthwhile enough to site when they saw fit, it is clear that the studs and nuts can hold the wheel centered. Even the "Senior Axle Engineer" said that the studs don't flex, so what is the point of centering rings?




You really just don't get this, do you?

Let me lay it out very simply for you. You are saying that you don't need centering rings because the lugs will center the wheel. You presented us with these math equations to prove it.

The Reality:
1. If you are careful, you can get the wheel, especially a light one, centered without a ring. The nuts have enough centering force that under favorable conditions, they can get it very close. Someone who does this themselves, and takes just a little time to make sure it's correct will not have any problems. This is where you stop being correct.

The Math:
2. That math does not have anything to do with
a) the centering force of the tapered lugs
b) the mounting process whatsoever
It presents the condition of an already mounted wheel, and states that the force of the weight of the car is transfered to the wheels by the friction of the hub/wheel interface, not through the lug nuts. You obviously do not understand the equations at all, because every time you have cited them you have tried to prove a point that is not even mentioned therein.

The Problem:
3. When you mount a wheel, it can be centered uncorrectly for this reason: the friction between the hub and the wheel becomes very great as they are pressed together. Just before they are tight, they stop moving because the tapered lugs are not able to present sufficient centering force. If you keep them centered, then this will not be a problem. You do this by rotating the wheel and holding it up. Most people do this with hubcentric rings.

Stop trying to get in the last word and admit: rings are not 100% neccessary to get a wheel centered, but they are a good idea, because they make centering a sure thing.

-Philip Maynard '95 Contour [71 STS | Track Whore] '97 Miata [71 ES | Boulevard Pimp] 2006 autocross results