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Top_Fuel · 02-15-2005, 12:33 PM

FYI information for guys running non-hubcentric (flat) spacers...

What is the difference between hubcentric and lugcentric spacers?

Hubcentric spacers have a recess that fits onto the hub as well as a protrusion that fits into the back of the wheel. When installed, a hubcentric spacer meshes with a section of the wheel and a section of the hub at the same time. The hub, spacer and wheel become mechanically joined together through the clamping force of the lugnuts.

Lugcentric spacers are completely flat. When installed, they only serve as a spacer and do not allow the hub and wheel to remain mechanically linked.

Which is better: hubcentric or lugcentric spacers?

Hubcentric spacers are strongly preferred. Because they become directly linked with both the wheel and hub, hubcentric spacers have two distinct advantages:

1. The wheel will always be perfectly centered on the hub when the spacer is installed.
2. The load on the wheel is transferred through the spacer directly to the wheel hub. This is because the spacer is supporting the wheel while the hub supports the spacer.

Lugcentric spacers, on the other hand, rely on the studs to center and support the wheel. The wheel load is then transferred through the wheel studs instead of the hub. This can cause stresses on the OEM studs for which they were not designed. The result may be accelerated fatigue or tension overload of the wheel studs. When over-stressed, wheel studs WILL eventually break.

Example: http://www.modularfords.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=1681

Here’s an interesting discussion of wheel spacer engineering and safety concerns:
http://realbig.com/detomaso/1998-11/53.html

02-15-2005, 12:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
Top_Fuel Person of Interest Join Date: August 2003 Location: ~ Posts: 3,275 1.37 per day Trader Rating: (0)	FYI information for guys running non-hubcentric (flat) spacers... What is the difference between hubcentric and lugcentric spacers? Hubcentric spacers have a recess that fits onto the hub as well as a protrusion that fits into the back of the wheel. When installed, a hubcentric spacer meshes with a section of the wheel and a section of the hub at the same time. The hub, spacer and wheel become mechanically joined together through the clamping force of the lugnuts. Lugcentric spacers are completely flat. When installed, they only serve as a spacer and do not allow the hub and wheel to remain mechanically linked. Which is better: hubcentric or lugcentric spacers? Hubcentric spacers are strongly preferred. Because they become directly linked with both the wheel and hub, hubcentric spacers have two distinct advantages: 1. The wheel will always be perfectly centered on the hub when the spacer is installed. 2. The load on the wheel is transferred through the spacer directly to the wheel hub. This is because the spacer is supporting the wheel while the hub supports the spacer. Lugcentric spacers, on the other hand, rely on the studs to center and support the wheel. The wheel load is then transferred through the wheel studs instead of the hub. This can cause stresses on the OEM studs for which they were not designed. The result may be accelerated fatigue or tension overload of the wheel studs. When over-stressed, wheel studs WILL eventually break. Example: http://www.modularfords.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=1681 Here’s an interesting discussion of wheel spacer engineering and safety concerns: http://realbig.com/detomaso/1998-11/53.html Last edited by Top_Fuel; 12-29-2006 at 10:06 AM.