Wheels are one of the most essential components of a vehicle. While many people focus on the appearance of wheels and rims, they play an important role in how your vehicle operates. How Wheels Work Wheels serve the function of translating an engines power into motion. When a driver presses…
Buying Rims and Wheels Used
Buying rims and wheels used can be a great way to save money if you have a damaged rim or are simply looking to have an extra set on hand. While new, factory OEM wheels are usually the preferred option, if you can find a wheel in good condition at the right price, it might be the logical choice. Blackburn offers both new and used rims for sale. All of our used rims have been professionally reconditioned and restored to factory specs. Simply create a free Wheelfinder account to browse our selection! You can also find a great selection of new and used hubcaps for sale!
When buying used wheels, it is important to make sure that they are in good condition and structurally sound. It is also very important to make sure that the wheels will fit on your car! Simply knowing that you need 16″ wheels isn’t enough information when it comes to buying a used rim.
If you’re buying OEM wheels used, it will be of some use to find the OEM part number for your wheels to find its specifications. Your car’s instruction book may also outline the specifications of your factory wheels.
Actual Size of the Wheel
Wheel diameter and width are also important factors to consider. If you’re buying used wheels, you may come across a set that seems perfect but perhaps is an inch larger than what you currently have on the vehicle. This doesn’t necessarily mean those wheels won’t fit on your car, instead you must do a little research to make sure your car can accommodate the extra space without your wheels or tires rubbing against any other parts of the vehicle, which apart from damaging your vehicle, could pose serious safety concerns.
Bolt Pattern
Wheels are attached your car with a type of bolt referred to as a lug nut. Bolt patterns describe the quantity of lug nut holes as well as the “pattern” or space in between each bolt. This pattern varies from car to car, but many manufacturers use the same bolt pattern across their entire fleet.
Offset
Offset refers to the how the distance between the centerline of the wheel and its hub surface. This spacing is described as compared to the wheel well. A positive offset is more common, making the vehicle more responsive, and “concealing” more of the wheel under the vehicle. A negative offset would stick out past the wheel well with a dome-like appearance.
Centerbore
This is a measurement of the size of the hole in the middle of the wheel. This machined opening allows the wheel to sit properly on the car’s hub. It is designed so that the wheel is centered on the hub when the lug nuts are tightened.
Where To Find These Measurements?
The old fashioned way is to get out the measuring tape and figure it out yourself! If you do some Googling you can probably find the OEM specs for your make and model, but that could take hours or more if its an obscure vehicle.
The easiest way to make sure you’re getting the right wheel is to sign up for a free account with Blackburn’s Wheelfinder. You will be able to browse our new and used OEM wheels by make and model. If you have any questions about whether or not a wheel will fit on your car, please do not hesitate to contact us!