Car Rims: specifications, types

Mounting diameter of the disc rim. Each car has its own recommendations for the diameter of the discs to be installed, they are usually indicated in the documentation. In addition, this parameter must match the mounting diameter of the tires used if the wheels are purchased separately. The most popular sizes are 15", 16", 17" rims, for SUVs and powerful sports cars — 18", 19" and 20" rims. Naturally, one should not forget about “our smaller brothers” 14 ", and about absolutely "giants" 21", 22" and more.

Wheel rim width. This parameter determines the width of the tyre profile that can be used with this disc. When purchasing tires, it is worth considering separately that the width of the disk should be less than the width of the tyre profile by 25 – 30%.

Departure is the distance from the plane passing through the place where the wheel is attached to the hub, to the plane passing through the middle of the landing width. Positive overhang values mean that the hub is on the outside of the middle of the disc, negative values mean that the hub is recessed "deep" into the wheel. For each car model, there is an individual departure value that is optimal for stability and controllability.

The number of mounting holes must match the number of holes in the vehicle hub. Usually there are 4 to 6 of them.

The diameter of the conditional ring along which the mounting holes on the disk are located. Measured at the centers of the holes. This parameter must exactly match the corresponding wheel hub parameter. Together with the number of mounting holes, it forms a bolt pattern (PCD). The most popular values are 4 and 5 bolt discs, with corresponding PCD values: 4x98, 4x100, 4x108, 4x114.3, 5x100, 5x105, 5x108, 5x110, 5x112, 5x114.3, 5x115, 5x120, 5x130. For 6-bolt discs, the most common bolt pattern is 6x139.7.

The diameter of the centre hole must match the diameter of the centering lug on the vehicle hub. It may also be larger; then adapter rings are used to install the wheel.

The type of disc determines the technology used in its production, which affects both the appearance and strength characteristics.

— Cast. The production technology of alloy wheels gives a wide scope for a wide variety of design solutions. At the same time, however, such disks are prone to the appearance of microcracks due to wear, break under strong impacts and are difficult to repair.

— Forged. The most durable and corrosion resistant disc type. The safest, because. withstand even very strong impacts without destruction. Their disadvantages are high cost and design limitations due to production technology. Against the background of high cost, manufacturers came up with a new type — something between forged and cast. A kind of forged hybrid(Flow Forged, Flow Forming, Hybrid Forged), which is more durable than cast ones, but more budgetary than forged ones.

— Forged (hybrid). Hybrid forging technology (from the English. "Hybrid Forged") involves the manufacture of alloy wheels under pressure. The result is lightweight wheels with an attractive design and precise geometry. At the same time, the structure of the Hybrid Forged metal approaches in terms of its strength characteristics to forged steel.

— Teams. The composite disk consists of a forged rim and a ca...st "plate" fastened together with titanium bolts. This allows you to combine the advantages of both technologies, but such disks are very expensive.

— Stamped. The cheapest and most common type of disk — usually, standard "factory" disks are of this type. In such discs, the rim and the disc itself are fastened together by welding. Usually made from steel. They are cheap, easy to repair, and also quite safe, since they most often deform upon impact without breaking. On the other hand, stamped discs are heavy, not very resistant to corrosion, and not very versatile in design.

— Steel. The most common and cheapest disc material. The disadvantages are high weight and low corrosion resistance.

— Aluminium alloy. Aluminium alloy wheels are lighter than steel wheels, resistant to corrosion, but, accordingly, more expensive. Cast aluminium wheels (see Wheel type) outperform magnesium wheels in strength, but the situation is just the opposite with forged wheels.

Replica rims are copies of original factory rims created by another manufacturer. Replicas can be on any car, namely Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, KIA, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes- Benz, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault, Seat, Skoda, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, SsangYong, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo. Car manufacturers equip their cars with certain disks with a specific pattern. Accordingly, many disc manufacturing companies produce identical models, which in all respects are as similar as possible to the original ones in cars, but at the same time they often cost less. Note that, usually, only the appearance of the discs is copied, sometimes some basic design elements are adopted. Replica rims are designed to increase the attractiveness of the car.

Wheel bolt heads are covered with a special cover, the front surface of which repeats the overall design of the rim. The hidden bolt pattern makes the disc look neater. Thanks to the cover, the bolt heads are less clogged, and it also protects the wheel fasteners from loosening / unscrewing. Additionally, the hidden bolt pattern makes the rims more harmonious and concise.

The guide pattern involves connecting the spokes from the rim to the hub with a misalignment. When the directional disk rotates, it seems that the pattern that the spokes form is rotating in a certain direction. When choosing discs of this type, you should pay attention to whether all discs will face the same direction. Many wheel manufacturers, including Audi and Toyota, create kits in which the wheels for the right and left side of the car body look in different directions.

The shelf on the drive is an enlarged edge, but it is horizontal and large enough to place an object on it. In this case, the "spokes" of the disk are deepened. Disks with a shelf allow you to visually highlight your car and emphasize its power.