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08-21-2002, 09:36 AM
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Hub-centricity on American Racing wheels
Thinking about adding a set of AR wheels to my old Corvette, but the AR rep tells me that none of their wheels are hub-centric. Says not to worry about it, that they're held in place by the studs and lug nuts. I've always thought that hub-centricity was a big deal -- if you didn't have it, you risked balance problems, messed up bolt-holes, etc. Opinions?
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08-21-2002, 10:09 AM
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As I recall, all of the mags I have ever dealt with have centered on the lugs. Would be nearly impossible to make after-market wheels that would hub-center on all the different hub sizes out there. Both sets of wheels on my Willys (see photo album) are lug-centered w/ no problems.
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08-22-2002, 08:06 AM
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Hubcentricity is not a necessity. I've had Custom wheels on an 86 Formula, a 90 Chevy stepside, a 2001 GMC, and a 2002 TA. The ONLY set that was/is hubcentric are the ones on my 2001 GMC. The rest are all lug centric. Hubcentricity has no affect on balance. They say if a wheel is not hub centric you will experience vibration. That is no necessarily true. It is possible, but as long as you tighten your lugs in an offset manner you will have NO problems. I am even using 1 inch adapters on the 2002 TA and NO vibration problems from 0 to 140mph. The 90 Chevy and the Formula never had vibration issues either!!! If you are really concerned about hub cetricity, any wheel/tire shop should have a selection of "universal" hub centric rings. It would be impossible for a wheel manufacturer to make a wheel to be hub centric for every vehicle out there. So, they make a select few popular hub diameters and the aftermarket community makes universal rings to make wheels fit just about any vehicle! Hope this helps!
Sorry so long, I've gone through this a lot. Evertime I call Discount Tire they tell me that a particular wheel I'm interested in won't fit my car. For the 2002 TA I ended up ordering wheels and telling them they were going on a BMW and I told them the backspacing and offset I wanted. Even when you have all the facts and tell them what you want they will still tell you it won't fit or they don't have it because their computer said so....
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08-23-2002, 12:19 PM
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Thanks guys. Guess I'm worrying for nuthin'. The wheels I want are the very ones Willys has got pictured at the Hot Rod Reunion. Went into a shop today to price them, and the guy tells me they don't make 'em any more! I'm sure I just saw them on the American Racing web site. Called the type "D" or something. I'll try somewhere else. What size wheel/tire you running there Willys?
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08-23-2002, 01:12 PM
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The front ones are 14"x6", the rears are 15"x8 1/2". The front tires are almost new, the rears are a few years old but don't show any wear. I am probably going to put them on eBay when I get over the emotional attachment. I've had them for 35 years! Also, need to save my pennies for the replacement wheels and tires on the rear. Lot$ of $$.
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08-23-2002, 01:14 PM
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ET III sells a very good version of the old TorqThrust. Sad that American doesn't even sell the wheel anymore that made the company what it is today. Kinda like B&M transmissions - I called them a few years ago for some information on my 4-speed hydro and the slack-jawed mouth-breather on the line asked me what a Hydro was! Just the transmission that made B&M a company, that's all.
[ August 23, 2002: Message edited by: willys36@aol.com ]</p>
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08-25-2002, 03:24 PM
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ET III? Don't know what that means. After the guy told me they don't have what I want, he tried to sell me the "new" version of your wheel. Looks like what they put on the Bullit Mustangs last year. Has the grey spokes, but it's a smoother, more modern look. Not what I had in mind. Even Cragar's going all modern now. Hard to find the classics! Everybody's focussing on 20 inchers for Honda's and SUV's. What's the world coming to?!?
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08-26-2002, 06:34 AM
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Tell me about it! American doesn't make an American wheel, Halibrand doesn't make a Halibrand wheel, Cragar doesn't make a Cragar wheel. I guess you are stuck going to swapmeets. Or, how about some of the ET IIIs and sandblast the spokes? (www.etwheels.com) That's the finish on my wheels.
[ August 26, 2002: Message edited by: willys36@aol.com ] [ August 26, 2002: Message edited by: willys36@aol.com ] [ August 26, 2002: Message edited by: willys36@aol.com ]</p>
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09-03-2002, 01:16 PM
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Have you guys heard of American Eagle wheels? <a href="http://www.americaneaglewheels.com" target="_blank">www.americaneaglewheels.com</a> They've got a type 211 that looks like the Torque Thrust, costs less, and is actually made in the U.S.! The price difference will pay for a pair of tires. I'm told the finish isn't as nice as the American Racing wheels, so I'm gonna try to look at some on the weekend. There's a shop about a half hour from here that carries them. Can't find the ET's around here. I'm up in Toronto, Canada. American Racing does still sell the Type D by the way. This same shop carries them. Can't trust anybody these days! I'll let you know what I find.
Adios.
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