Non hub-cetric mags

[Brett Dikeman]

On Sep 10, 2006, at 1:19 PM, McCohens at aol.com wrote:

> Got a cheap set of wheels today, once home and on the car I noticed  
> they
> don't have hub-centering rings.    If I pull them tight real   
> carefully will it
> be OK or am I looking at a never ending wheel vibration  issue?

Not having a centering ring subjects the lug bolts to constant  
shearing forces (think potholes, bumps, etc.)  So, no, it's not  
really safe- and you will increase the dangers of bolt failure by  
over-tightening them, particularly if they're old and original.  
Torques exist for a reason, and it's not just "so it's easy to remove  
next time or doesn't fall out"; it's also to prevent the fastener  
from being stretched or deformed (and weakened as a result.)

Call the previous owner and ask him/her to go looking for them. Worst  
case- I lost one of the centering rings for my Ronals, and the local  
Direct Tire shop had 'em in stock for pretty cheap ($5-ish?  Maybe  
$10?)  HOWEVER, you do need to know which kind you need; in my case,  
they inquired about the color of the plastic and any stampings on the  
other 3 rings.

Oh, also make sure that the lugs have the proper seat.  Most audis  
are ball, many aftermarket wheels are conical.  The two are NOT  
compatible except for emergencies, really.

Brett