Off-brand wheel replacement?

[dave_the_nerd]

So, my housemate's allow wheels are all corroded to hell. One's been leaking slowly for about two years and they look like they have leprosy. She drives an '08 Acura TSX.

Alloy wheel repair/refurbish places seem to charge a minimum of $150 per wheel - am I looking in the wrong places?

If we replace them, will any old 17x7, 5-spoke allow wheels (like these, except not those specific ones because the bolt pattern is different) be a straightforward replacement (allowing us to use her existing tires, TPMS, etc.), or are there other considerations and sizing issues? (How many different bolt pattern diameters are there? Are 5x114.3mm and 5x115mm the same thing?)

Also, are the center caps a standard size? Swappable?

We're not in a huge hurry, so if we can, we kind of intend to just poke around salvage yards until we find something in decent condition that fits - being able to pull a set of wheels off of a more common car would make our lives easier.

I suggested steel wheels and covers, but that idea was nixed.

 

[satyajitmenon]

Have you tried tire rack?

https://www.tirerack.com/wheels/res...=TSX&autoYear=2008&autoModClar=&package=false

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Have you tried tire rack?

https://www.tirerack.com/wheels/res...=TSX&autoYear=2008&autoModClar=&package=false

I checked their site; I tend to use websites like that as a technical/sizing reference, if nothing else. But the cheapest wheels there, after shipping, is $200 more than a set of new Accord wheels on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Original-17-Honda-Accord-TSX-Wheels-Factory-Stock-63864-/252894060518

We were hoping the salvage yard route would make it even more affordable. We are both very cheap.

 

[freeskier93]

Any wheel with the correct diameter, width, bolt pattern, and backspacing will work.

Width and backspacing don't have to be exactly the same but it would be best to match the factory wheels exactly.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Any wheel with the correct diameter, width, bolt pattern, and backspacing will work.

Width and backspacing don't have to be exactly the same but it would be best to match the factory wheels exactly.

Thanks!

 

[herm0016]

Don't forget the hub size, i am guessing these are hub centric? You can get rings if the wheels you get have a larger hub dia. Most cars these days are hub centric, while trucks and such are lug centric.

 

[freeskier93]

Don't forget the hub size, i am guessing these are hub centric? You can get rings if the wheels you get have a larger hub dia. Most cars these days are hub centric, while trucks and such are lug centric.

Are there any vehicles made that are ONLY hub centric? I didn't think there were, I'm pretty sure just about everything is both from the factory. If you have canonical/tapered lug nuts/bolts then they are lug centric

Pretty much all aftermarket wheels are lug centric because it's not feasible to makes wheels for every single hub diameter out there. It's also not something I'd worry about. There is an unbelievable amount of misinformation when it comes to hub centric vs lug centric. If someone tries to tell you the weight of the vehicle in a hub centric car is carried by the hub, or the weight of the vehicle with lug centric is carried by the lugs, then stop listening to them. That person doesn't understand how fastened connections work (or for that matter clearance fit connections). In either case it's the clamping force of the lugs, which creates a friction force between the face of the wheel/rotor/hub, that keeps everything in place.

The only benefit of hub centric, or using the spacers, is it makes it a bit more foolproof to get the wheel centered. With lug centric only you need to be properly torqueing the lug nuts down and you usually need to go through the pattern 3 or 4 times to makes sure everything is properly tight an centered.

 

[herm0016]

Are there any vehicles made that are ONLY hub centric? I didn't think there were, I'm pretty sure just about everything is both from the factory. If you have canonical/tapered lug nuts/bolts then they are lug centric

Pretty much all aftermarket wheels are lug centric because it's not feasible to makes wheels for every single hub diameter out there. It's also not something I'd worry about. There is an unbelievable amount of misinformation when it comes to hub centric vs lug centric. If someone tries to tell you the weight of the vehicle in a hub centric car is carried by the hub, or the weight of the vehicle with lug centric is carried by the lugs, then stop listening to them. That person doesn't understand how fastened connections work (or for that matter clearance fit connections). In either case it's the clamping force of the lugs, which creates a friction force between the face of the wheel/rotor/hub, that keeps everything in place.

The only benefit of hub centric, or using the spacers, is it makes it a bit more foolproof to get the wheel centered. With lug centric only you need to be properly torqueing the lug nuts down and you usually need to go through the pattern 3 or 4 times to makes sure everything is properly tight an centered.

Yea, but you would hate to get a wheel and find it won't fit over the hub.

 

[bruceb]

If you do not want to pay for a refurb, then go or call your local auto salvage or breakers yard. Wheels for that model car are quite common and should not be very expensive.