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[DaanBMW]

I've read that some have issues with vibrations at high speed if no hub rings are used on larger-bore wheels. Then some say no issues.

-> At least for my wheels (OZ Ultraleggera 18x8 & 18x9) you must have hub rings. Otherwise you'll have severe vibrations over 70mph. (For those looking to find wheel hub size: a very unusual 79mm.)

Pls chime in with your experience.

Also: say the hub rings you have are about 1mm smaller in diameter that what the wheels require - i.e the OD of the ring is 78 instead of 79mm - will using these rings make sense or might as well not have hub rings in as I don’t think the wheel moves around that much ? (the ID of the rings is proper bimmer fit: 72.6mm)

-> Yes (again, for at least these wheels). I had 78mm OD rings ordered and still had vibrations, albeit reduced. To test I taped the outer of the rings until they fit a bit more snug in the 79mm bore.

[MonacoBlueE90]

I have wheels with 73.1 center bore and don't use anything there. Haven't noticed any vibrations. Also there isn't hub rings that are so thin. Smallest i know is from 74.1mm->72.6, 1,5mm thick.

[#Tee]

I never had an issue with a larger hub bore with wheels on my previous car. its bolt centric to say the least...torqued down evenly and it will self center.

[DaanBMW]

Hmm... I have these wheels just mounted on the car and they have quite a vibration at higher speeds. So it's either the missing hub rings or a crappy balancing job...

Q for you guys with no issues w/o rings - did you make sure the wheel torque was per spec (87 ft-lbs) or was the regular shop gun i.e. unknown torque ?

[#Tee]

80-88 ft i get them all started with star pattern (standard procedure) to hand tight and let car weight down then torq to specs. theres a couple way to troubleshoot vibration issues.

1. start with at least 32-38psi cold tire pressure Are the tires brand new? if so look for missing weights maybe some can fall off. front wheels shimmy then its front wheel out of balance/belt separation/bushings.

2. car is shaking at high speeds with load? axle shaft bushing. with and without load? rear tire unbalanced.

You can isolate issues buy putting the oem tires/wheels back on to be sure its not suspension related. with your setup now you can put the rears on the fronts and see if its still vibrating at those speeds.

it can only be so many things.

Originally Posted by DaanBMW

Hmm... I have these wheels just mounted on the car and they have quite a vibration at higher speeds. So it's either the missing hub rings or a crappy balancing job...

Or a bad tire, or a bad rim, or a....so many what if's. Try telling us what kind of wheels you are using. That might help.

[Gary@TireRack]

If you're getting a vibration from a non hub centric fitment, the first thing I would try is centering rings.

[Boxtyp3]

Try putting a ducktape in your hub to rule out the hub centric issue. If the vibration goes away, then you need rings. Though I think if the bore is bigger than the hub, you def need hub centric rings.

[VMRWheels]

Originally Posted by Gary@TireRack

If you're getting a vibration from a non hub centric fitment, the first thing I would try is centering rings.

+1

[DaanBMW]

I had the balancing checked again, all was fine except for a v. small imbalance on 1 front wheel which was fixed. Vibrations (or shoudl I say the shaking) at speeds over 70mph are still here.

I'll post once I get the rings - my feel is that is the culprit... but in fairness to folk that say no hubs needed - I believe if your gap is over 2mm (this is just my guess, could be +/-) diametrically you might have issues but if gap is less no issues.

Wheels are OZ ultraleggeras (BTW really awesomely lightweight wheels, I am impressed by the acceleration difference to the nice-looking style 197's, both staggered).

Originally Posted by DaanBMW

Wheels are OZ ultraleggeras

Those wheels are not hub centric on your car. Although they're very close, get the rings...that shouldn't even be a question. Especially since you're trying to chase down a current vibration issue. Might as well start removing variables that are directly under your control.

[VMRWheels]

With the time and money spent rebalancing, you could have gotten a set of hubcentric rings for them. They're pretty inexpensive and will reduce the chances of any vibrations.

[DaanBMW]

^^ I know they are not hub centric, hence my question.

^ As for inexpensive: a was quoted a set for $10, then $10-15, and when I orderd it it was $36... wheel have a weird hub dia of 79mm

[DaanBMW]

Put in the hub rings yesterday, all torqued to spec. Only drove a short time over 70mph this morning as commute sukked. While things are way better, I believe small vibrations are still there. Will have to test again on afternoon commute. Mind you the rings are 78mm outer dia, whereas wheel bore is 79mm but to my mind that is too small to still be causing it... or ?

[simmo1985]

Well if it's got better but hasn't completely cured the vibration. I think it would be safe to say you've identified the problem and the 1mm play needs to be eliminated to cure completely.

Could you not get 72.6 -> 79mm rings?

[DaanBMW]

Originally Posted by simmo1985

Well if it's got better but hasn't completely cured the vibration. I think it would be safe to say you've identified the problem and the 1mm play needs to be eliminated to cure completely

I'm not sure that that last 1mm is causing it... 1mm overall means the wheel center is max 0.5mm off center. Judging by common sense and by other's experience (even some in this thread) this should not still be causing issues. But true enough I can't really say I'm certain it's not that last 1mm.

Two other causes I can think of:
-> the OEM lug bolts are not fitting the wheels, but AFAIK both are std 60 degree taper.
-> the wheels are still a bit off balance, they have been dbl-checked but this is a used tire shop that's done the job. Not sure if the type of weights used make a difference, but most weights used before on the wheels were stick-on type (on inside of wheels), whereas this shop used the wheel rim clamp-on style. I bought the wheels used.

Originally Posted by simmo1985

Could you not get 72.6 -> 79mm rings?

Apparently no one sells this size. No one. Only from OZ via tire rack and it's close to $40 which is a rip off.

[simmo1985]

Make up the .5mm difference with tape like someone suggested to make it snug.

The fact u said its improved after you put the 78mm ring on which has minimised any possible movement down to .5mm really makes me think its got to be that.

40 dollars isn't cheap for rings that's true.

[zipstic]

I know I'm coming in a bit late here, but I had vibrations when I didn't have my hub rings on. I can't remember the exact sizes of the hub rings I need, but I would get vibrations over 60 MPH. It sounds like you're on the right path to solving the issue.

[DaanBMW]

Originally Posted by simmo1985

Make up the .5mm difference with tape like someone suggested to make it snug.

The fact u said its improved after you put the 78mm ring on which has minimised any possible movement down to .5mm really makes me think its got to be that.

40 dollars isn't cheap for rings that's true.

You were right. Thanks a bunch !

After my theoretizing and as much as taping the rings sounded pretty ghetto, I went ahead and did it last night just for the fronts. And this morning my vibrations were almost completely gone ! Go figure. Can't believe some can drive non-hubcentric wheels without hub rings but at least the Ultraleggeras need even that last 1mm taken care of.

In the long run I might bite the bullet and buy the OZ rings, which are metal not plastic.

[simmo1985]

Originally Posted by DaanBMW

You were right. Thanks a bunch !

After my theoretizing and as much as taping the rings sounded pretty ghetto, I went ahead and did it last night just for the fronts. And this morning my vibrations were almost completely gone ! Go figure. Can't believe some can drive non-hubcentric wheels without hub rings but at least the Ultraleggeras need even that last 1mm taken care of.

In the long run I might bite the bullet and buy the OZ rings, which are metal not plastic.

Nice one and no problem Now you can enjoy driving your car again without that dreaded vibration!

[simmo1985]

And are there any pictures of your car with the Ultraleggeras on? As i couldn't find any and would like a look as im a fan of the wheels. Had Superturismo's on my last motor, and loved them, just wish i could afford to get some for the BM.