The 15 Basic Parts Of A Car Wheel With Diagram

Wheels are an integral part of your car’s look and performance. Nothing enhances the look of a vehicle like a new set of aftermarket wheels and tires. But wheels come in a dizzying array of sizes, styles, and materials.

There are so many types of wheels and the terminology for wheel parts can be confusing. Exactly what is the difference between a wheel and a rim? What do the numbers about a wheel mean?

Arm yourself with information before you shop for wheels. This guide will help you dive deep into the names of wheel parts, dissect wheel anatomy, learn how wheels are made, why wheel size matters, how to measure wheel offset, the ins and outs of upsizing wheels, and much more.

Car Wheel Parts Diagram with Name

Car Wheel Parts Names List:

Parts of a Car Wheel

There are various parts of a car wheel, which include three main parts: the tire, the rim, and the hub. The tire, which is the width of the wheel, goes around the rim and gives the wheel grip on the road surface. The hub is where the wheel attaches to the axle of a car.

#1. The Wheel Disc or Rim.

This is metallic and can be made of different materials and have different shapes, but basically, it is a tube and the rest of the elements of the wheel are placed on it. These other elements are attached to it through bolts and nuts.

For tubeless tyres, there must be a proper fitting between the tire and the rim. The car wheel rim is made of a strong material such as steel so that it can take the load of a car. The car’s size determines the width and the diameter of the rim. Moreover, you can also get customized car wheel rims as they come in different colors and styles.

#2. The Hub.

The hub is the center part of the wheel that the rim attaches to. It’s home to the brake pads, calipers, and rotors. All of that attaches to the axle and allows the vehicle to move and stop.

It is responsible for attaching the wheel to the car, a wheel hub assembly is a pre-assembled unit that features precision bearings, seals, and sensors. Also called a wheel hub bearing, hub assembly, wheel hub unit or hub and bearing assembly, the wheel hub assembly is a crucial part of your steering system contributing to the safe steering and handling of your vehicle.

On each wheel, you’ll find the wheel hub assembly between the drive axle and the brake drums or disc brake. On the brake disc side, the wheel is attached to the bolts of the wheel hub assembly. While on the side of the drive axle, the hub assembly is mounted to the steering knuckle either as a bolt-on or press-in assembly.

A failing wheel hub assembly can present a variety of symptoms including:

• Growling, humming, squeaking, chirping or squealing from the tires when driving at 30-45mph.
• The steering wheel may shake as you drive.
• The ABS light will come on if the sensor isn’t reading properly or if the signal is lost.

#3. The Tire.

Last but not least, tires are one of the most crucial parts of a car wheel system. Because without tires, the rim, the valve, and the counterweights it is of little use. Also, it is one with the highest volume.

The job of car tires is to provide traction and cushion the shock with the help of suspension and shock absorber. Tires also cover rims from touching the ground.

The tread in car tires is the outermost part that comes with a tread pattern. If you want to check the tire tread depth, you can use a coin or follow this guide.

This part of the car wheel is made of rubber, although the materials used for its manufacture can vary – ranging from carbon black to textile fiber and mineral components.

#4. Spokes.

Spokes are structures that connect the hub and the rim. They are the source of the wheel’s structural integrity. Together with the hub, spokes form the wheel’s outboard face. On multi-piece wheels, the wheel face is produced as a separate piece and bolted to the inside of the barrel.

Spokes also provide aesthetic value and are a major part of what makes a wheel unique. Custom wheels come in a wide variety of spoke styles for visual appeal, with spokes varying in quantity, width, shape, and pattern. Some truck or trailer wheels may have solid faces with no spokes at all!

Five-spoke wheels are a common wheel design due to engineering reasons: each spoke is supported by two opposing spokes that reduce torsional vibration. A low spoke count also equates to lower wheel weight.

That said, the number of spokes on a car wheel has very little effect on weight or performance, especially compared to the materials and construction methods used, so just pick the wheel that you like most.

#5. Valve Stem.

The car tire valve is one of the key car wheel parts that helps in inflating and deflating the car tyres. The air or nitrogen necessary to fill the chamber is introduced through it or it is removed if an excessive amount has been put in.

When closed, this valve keeps the air or nitrogen inside, preventing it from escaping to the outside. It is, therefore, a key element to maintain tyre pressure and driving safely.

The mechanism of the valve is integrated with a tyre pressure monitoring system which helps drivers to understand the pressure condition.

Structural Requirements for Tire Valves:

• The tire valves should be easy to deflate and inflate.
• The valves shouldn’t leak.
• Check the internal pressure.
• It can be replaced and combined with the inner wall.
• Tire valves have uniform replacement specifications.
• It can help in stabilizing the pressure of the inner tube.

#6. Hubcaps.

Some wheels have a trim known as a hubcap. Sometimes this hides the nuts or bolts of the rim. In principle, its purpose is merely decorative, although it also helps to keep the rim clean of dirt particles.

Hubcaps caps are securely fit in the hub area of your car to encounter all sorts of dust and debris. Besides, hubcaps also help in increasing the lifespan of your wheel by protecting wheel nuts and bolts from corrosion.

The hubs in the car wheel allow it to take turns. It also maintains the wheel speed sensor and plays an important role in the braking, steering and traction of your vehicle.

#7. Counterweights.

Another part of a wheel is the counterweight. In fact, it is an element that some people are unaware of but that is essential for safe driving. These counterweights are small in size and are usually made of lead. These are placed on the rims and their main purpose is to balance all four wheels and prevent vibrations while driving.

Not only is this vibration uncomfortable, but it can also damage shock absorbers, reduce tyre life, and make driving less safe.

#8. Center bore.

The large hole in the center of the wheel which fits onto the axle hub assembly and carries the axle’s load. This hole must be at least the same size as the axle mount or larger, or the wheel will not fit.

If the center bore is larger than the axle mount, hub rings can be used to fill the space around the mount to ensure the wheel is centered with the axle.

#9. Center Disc.

The cylindrical part surrounding the centerbore which contains the lug holes. Also called the “plate”, this is the part of the hub where the spokes meet.

This part is responsible for receiving forces from the axle and braking systems. The back of the center disc, called the mounting pad, rests against the axle seat.

#10. Lug Holes.

The holes around the center bore, which are used in attaching the wheel to the axle. These holes are fitted to threaded studs on the axle seat, and lug nuts are fastened to the studs to secure the wheel on the axle. German cars typically use wheel bolts instead of lug nuts and studs.

#11. Center Cap.

A removable piece that covers the center bore on the outside. On many cars today, it may also serve to protect the lug nuts from damage.

#12. Outer Lip.

The part of the rim that faces outward, measured from the wheel face to the outboard edge. A deep outer lip is more vulnerable to impacts, as the spokes are further away and don’t provide as much structural support. On three-piece wheels, the outer lip is produced as a separate piece from the rest of the barrel.

#13. Bead Rests.

The areas on the rim’s outer surface where the tire’s beads sit on the wheel. Before mounting a tire, the bead rests should be cleaned to eliminate any contaminants that might prevent the tire from forming an airtight seal.

#14. Drop Center.

The barrel has many parts. The smallest inside diameter of the barrel is the drop center. If the drop center is close to the front face of the wheel, it is a front mount wheel. If the drop enter is close to the back face of the wheel it is a reverse mount wheel.

#15. Flanges.

The barrel edges are flared to create flanges. The flanges keep the tire from slipping off. The outer facing flanges are part of the cosmetic face of the wheel.

Just inside the flanges are flat areas called beads. This is where the edges of the tire sit onto the wheel. Mounting humps circle the barrel on both the car side and the cosmetic side of the wheel. These ridges separate the beads to keep the tire from slipping away from the edge of the wheel.

FAQs.