Do wheel spacers have to be Hubcentric?
Sarah Garza
Updated on May 16, 2026
Do wheel spacers need to be hubcentric? Yes, you absolutely need to ensure any spacers mate with the wheel center bore and wheel hub precisely, either by being the correct diameter themselves or with hubcentric rings to make up the difference in size.
What happens if you dont use hub centric spacers?
If you don't use hub centric rings, you transfer the weight of the vehicle to the lug hardware, and the wheel studs will break. Fact is, the hub centric rings do not bear a load. The weight of the vehicle is actually supported by the friction between the wheel and its mounting surface on the axle.Are lug centric spacers bad?
Lug-Centric (Floating) Bolt-On SpacersThis style of spacer are not safe for the simple reason that the manufacturer did not design the lug nuts to handle your vehicle's entire weight — they manufactured the hub to handle that.
How do I know if my wheel spacers are hub centric?
The easiest way to tell the difference between the two designs is to look at the hub of a hub and wheel assembly. If the hole in the center of the wheel fits snugly against the hub, then it is hub-centric. If there is a gap between the center hole of the wheel and the hub, then it is lug-centric.Why you should not use wheel spacers?
If your car has the more favourable set up of negative scrub radius then installing a wheel spacer can cause bigger issues. The outward movement of the wheel can make a negative scrub radius become zero. This is the worst position for it to be in. A zero scrub radius can cause squirm.Are Wheel Spacers Actually Safe?
Do spacers ruin wheel bearings?
That said, wheel spacers affect suspension geometry, and will change the scrub radius, affecting braking stability, and also reduce the effective spring rate at the wheels. Wheel spacers can also cause wheel bearing failure.Are wheel spacers safe for daily driving?
So, are wheel spacers safe for daily driving? — as long as you take the appropriate safety precautions, they are totally safe.Is lug centric better than hub centric?
Hub-Centric WheelsThis allows the wheel and tire assembly to be centered on the hub, which is the most accurate way to install your wheels.
Why is hub centric spacers better?
Advantages of hub centric wheel spacers:Hub centric wheel spacers can help eliminate the high-speed vibration by filling the gap between the aftermarket wheel and the axle hub. By custom data, hub centric wheel spacers make it possible to install aftermarket wheels with different center diameters.