Why Are Alloy Wheel Spigot Rings Important?

Understanding the role of spigot rings in the performance and safety of your vehicle is essential, especially when dealing with alloy wheels. These components, available in both plastic and metal, are key to ensuring your wheels align perfectly and fit securely. This becomes particularly crucial when the centre bore diameter of your wheel doesn't match the diameter of your vehicle's hub lip. Spigot rings bridge this gap, providing a solution that not only eliminates vibrations but also enhances your driving experience by ensuring safety and comfort.

In this article, we will take a closer look at this component, explaining their purpose, and guiding you through what you need to know to fit them on your vehicle.

What Are Spigot Rings?

Spigot rings are plastic or metal parts that ensure perfect alignment and fit of your wheels when the centre bore and the diameter of the hub lip differ.

Each wheel features a large hole at the centre of the rear mounting surface, known as the centre bore. This is intended to position the wheel onto the lip that protrudes from the middle of your vehicle's hub, which serves as the link between the wheel and the suspension. Spigot rings provide a simple correction if the bore and hub differ, eliminating any subsequent vibration and providing comfort and security for your alloy wheels. However, they will only be supplied if necessary.

What Size Spigot Rings Do I Need?

Installing the correct size spigot ring is important to centralise the wheel and ensure it spins true to the vehicle. Most aftermarket wheels will have a centre bore diameter that is greater than a vehicle's standard hub lip because they often enhance your vehicle’s aesthetics by upping the wheel size.

To fit correctly, you should choose a spigot ring with the same outside diameter as the wheel centre bore diameter and the same inside diameter as the vehicle's hub lip diameter.

Should I Opt for Plastic or Metal Spigot Rings?

Plastic and metal spigot rings have different qualities, with each material providing different pros and cons. Plastic is a more affordable and easy-to-remove material but is less resilient to stresses. On the other hand, metal spigot rings are stronger but come with the risk of corroding and even welding themselves onto the wheel. Whichever you opt for is a matter of personal preference.

Is It Safe to Drive Without Spigot Rings?

You don’t need to install a spigot ring if your vehicle’s centre bore diameter and hub lip diameter are the same. However, if they do not match and you don’t fit a spigot ring, this can have damaging and even dangerous effects on your vehicle.

Firstly, because the wheel won’t be spinning true, you will experience noticeable vibrations. Furthermore, this creates misaligned wheel bolt holes that could put unnecessary stress on the wheel bolts or hub studs, causing the wheel to loosen and even detach from the vehicle in extreme cases.

How to Install Spigot Rings

To fit a spigot ring to an alloy wheel, first, ensure that your alloy’s centre bore hole is clean and free from burrs. If there is a spigot ring already attached, detach it and dispose of it.

Then, carefully place the wheel spigot ring into the opening at the rear of the alloy wheel and ensure it is firmly and securely in place, and aligned with the mounting surface on the back of the wheel. Verify that the ring is not loose or protruding from the wheel.

If the spigot ring does not fit properly, don’t force-fit it as this can make things worse. Besides, the tapered edge of most spigot rings helps align the ring with the hub of the vehicle. So, it is important to ensure that all parts are correctly positioned to ensure that the ring fits securely and safely in the centre hole of the wheel.

Alternatively, have your spigot rings fitted at LK Performance’s state-of-the-art servicing centre. We have all the expert knowledge and facilities needed to take care of the job for you, fitting brand new spigot rings and a new set of alloy wheels while you’re at it.

Browse our accessories range and discover the perfect additions to complement your newly-fitted wheels. LK Performance is the UK’s largest and most esteemed store for alloy wheels from the finest manufacturers in the world. We stock a range of sizes that are guaranteed to fit your vehicle no matter how large or nimble it is. Bring your vehicle to our state-of-the-art fitting centre and we can help fit your new tyres on for you. Browse our collection today and treat your vehicle with the utmost care.