I know, I know this is HONDA tech, but I have a question about my wife's matrix XRS. I am looking at a set of aftermarket wheels -rota downshifts- that are made specifically for the WRX from what I read. I found a good deal on a set, and was wondering if they will work...here is the scenerio

Matrix hub 54.06 mm
wheel hub hole 56.15 mm

to my knowledge no hubcentric rings are made that small, the lug nuts on the wrx and matrix are both 12 mm, so will the will sit just on the lugs fine? I have ran w/out hubcentric rings before. Some people say it is dangerous, some people say the rings just keep vibration down, if anyone knows, please help! I have to go pick them up tomorrow if I want them.

 

No the hubcentric rings are not a must but they do make it a lot nicer. They simply give your wheel an exact place to sit on your hub so you get less chance of vibration resulting from an off-center wheel. However your lug not should be centering your wheel when you torque them up (just make sure you re-torque your wheels after about 60 miles to ensure everything is still tight). I personally like the hubcentric idea but i really do not think it is as important as they try to sell it.

Just make sure the bezels on the lug nuts are the same as on the wheel i.e. bezel-bezel or acorn-acorn.

That and if your aftermarket wheels are hubcentric contact the manufacture or distributor and they will be able to provide you with new hubcentric rings for your application.

 

the rings are very important. if the wheel and hub don't match perfectly then all the weight of the vehicle rides on the studs and not the hub. The lug bolts should only hold the wheel to the hub, not support the vehicle. I work on cars for a living and i've seen lugs sheer right off because of improper wheel/hub fit. although it usually takes a good curb, pothole etc.. for it to happen.