rims sizes..caution

[canadianroadie]

Just a little heads up for those looking at winter tires and rims..Canadian Tire, Walmart etc offer a rim for the car but it is not the correct one..the diamter of the bore is too large..resulting in the tire being supported by the bolts..Just a tip..I learned the hard way...arrrr

[ArcsVibe]

Thanks for the great tip and welcome to Genvibe fellow Canuck!So you learned the hard way, eh? Sorry to hear that!

[WaveAction]

yep, when i buy rims, i go to tire shops and stuff, i stay away from the big building companies like walmart and canadian tire, for that and sometimes the prices are a lil higher cuz of the name of the company

[DavidPIL]

Hi canadianroadie,Most aftermarket wheels/rims have a different size hub bore than the stock wheels. Most reputable places (and most wheel companies) include hubcentric rings with the purchace of wheels. This is usually made from Aluminum, sometimes plastic, and fills the gap between the wheel and the hub itself. You should be able to get the rings from the wheel manufacturer or even from some tire shops. All you need to know is the exact measurements of your wheel and your hub. Or, more than likely the place should be able to order rings just using your particular wheel as a search.Had this same problem with Tires Plus here in the States. They tok their sweet a** time getting them form me so I ended up having a wheel shop order me some. The wheel wobble was insane and I had a 850 mile drive to do. Dave

[Raven]

I bought hubcentric rings when I got my Motegi rims, I knew they would be needed. They were $12.00 from Discount Tire and are made of aluminum.

[canadianroadie]

Thanks alot for the info...I will take a look around for the hubcentrics but from what I hear they seems pretty hard to get..esp in Canada.Damn snow...I already miss days of having to decide... open sunroof or motorcycle. Thanks again.

[Mavrik]

I've run my aftermarket 17" with no hub support for a couple years now... including a full season of tire squealing autocross with no issues with the wheels only supported by the lugs. I'd feel more comfortable with hub support but oh well...

[DavidPIL]

Mavrik,With my situation, the tech at Tires Plus tried to center the wheels as best they could on the hubs but I was getting major wheel wobble. Drove all the way to South Carolina (850 miles or so) and my arms were very fatigued. Went to a local wheel show. (Randy's Rims & Tires) and he did me up right. I can only imagine the wear the wobbling put onto my tires along with the added stress on the mechanicals. While the rings were on order, Randy also tried centering them for me. Slightly better but still a bit much to deal with.Dave

[Mavrik]

so your new rims did not even clear the hub by the sounds of it?

[canadianroadie]

the new (winter steel rims) did clear the hubs but by too much. I believe the inside diameter of the steel rim is approx 57 mm while the hub diameter is 54. Present situation..apparently C.T. has OE rims for my vibe, (only one store out of the 8 in the area has them). I have not yet seem them to confirm dimensions, so ?? Or I might go to the wrecker..(as you can probalby tell I am cheap)...apparenly 2003 corolla same rim. Again guys...thanks for the info. I have had the Vibe for only one month (used 2003) and really did not like it at the start..(missed my Ford Ranger) but I have to say..I am kinda liking this car now.

[Mavrik]

its a great car. If your into having fun on closed course lots to see how that car can handle... there is a local SCCA chapter in your area. I never got into it until after I moved... go figure but its pretty fun. You'll learn how to be a better driver and even more of what that car can do. Or can't either way you can't do that stuff in a ranger.

[DavidPIL]

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »so your new rims did not even clear the hub by the sounds of it?This reply was to canadianroadie, right?Dave

[Mavrik]

Quote, originally posted by DavidPIL »This reply was to canadianroadie, right?DaveYeah I was trying to understand how rims that cleared the hub but did not seat on them could wobble going down the road... mine have like an inch gap from the hub to the opening and don't wobble...

[DavidPIL]

I should have clarified that in my post. the wobble was in my steering wheel. At first, it caused it to move back and forth about 2 inches above 60mph. Once they tried to center the wheel better, the steering wheel wobble was maybe 1/4-1/2" or less. The steering wheel wobble started around 55-60, increased up to 70 or so then got a little better above that.Dave

[WaveAction]

I have a quick question regarding rim sizes, now when i do get my vibe, i'll be getting the stock 16" steelies, but im just curious if my 17"s will look right, they're 225/45R17..would they be to small? im thinking of upgrading to 18"..probably the same style of rim too..if not the exact rim just 18"

[dennisdrive]

Hey Canadianroadie,If you have bought the multi fit rims from CT and it isn't yet 90 days you can ask them to switch the rims to 15" OE rims meant for Matrix and Vibe and they should do it . I got mine done and the OE rims fit is perfectly mated to the hub .Close snug fit .

[CAN-AWD-VIBE]

Quote, originally posted by RedFire2K »t im just curious if my 17"s will look right, they're 225/45R17..would they be to small?they are perfect