Why do wheels with hubcaps have a black side?

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JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,584
985
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Originally posted by: werk
I don't think you'd be driving too far with tires mounted on hubcaps with no wheels. :roll:
Honestly, this is the dumbest thing I've EVER read on this forum.

Yeah, I can't believe I responded to it. :roll:
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
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that is the wheel!

wheels consist of more than just 'rims'!

you need spokes to support the rim. the spoke run from the hub, which is bolted to the axle!

and, actually, it is harder to make a balanced stamped steel wheel than a balanced aluminum wheel.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,584
985
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Originally posted by: ElFenix
actually, it is harder to make a balanced stamped steel wheel than a balanced aluminum wheel.

It is still far less costly to make steel wheels than aluminum. Aluminum is like 2-3 times more expensive than steel.
 

geno

Lifer
Dec 26, 1999
25,074
4
0
Originally posted by: AgaBooga
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7905009074&category=43954

why that design on the outside? why not just let the rotors and calipers show?

Who wants to show their brakes off? Especially on a stock econo-car :confused:
The reason they cover up so much is they're made of cheaper/weaker metal than nicer rims with spokes and such. There's no real reason for a non-performance car to expose its brakes, so might as well keep them covered up.
 

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
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Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: werk
I don't think you'd be driving too far with tires mounted on hubcaps with no wheels. :roll:
Honestly, this is the dumbest thing I've EVER read on this forum.

Yeah, I can't believe I responded to it. :roll:

Wow! Sorry guys, I didn't realize the wheel needed more support than just the outer rim the tire rests on...
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
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Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Originally posted by: Kilgor
I think I know what you are saying. The reason is because the wheels are made by a cheaper method and metal most likely stamped steel I think. When they use steel the wheels have to be designed differently to take the weight and stress. The steel wheels are cheaper than the Aluminum type because they are easier to make. Aluminum is a lighter metal than steel so you can take a big block of it and cut it into a rim that weighs 25 pounds but if tried the same thing with steel it would weigh 50.

Aha, ok. I didn't know that section was there for support, that makes sense now.

yup, steel pressed wheels are cheap and easy to make. downside is that they are horribly ugly and need the covers, and heavy. aluminum costs a lot more, and aren't stamped, made with more costly methods.
 

Shawn

Lifer
Apr 20, 2003
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how else would the wheel be able to support the car?!?! the rims would bend without them!
 

Klixxer

Diamond Member
Apr 7, 2004
6,149
0
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Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus<BR>
Originally posted by: werk<BR>I don't think you'd be driving too far with tires mounted on hubcaps with no wheels. :roll:<BR>Honestly, this is the dumbest thing I've EVER read on this forum.
<BR><BR>Yeah, I can't believe I responded to it. :roll:
<BR><BR>Wow! Sorry guys, I didn't realize the wheel needed more support than just the outer rim the tire rests on...

IT DOESN'T, but how in the hell are you going to attatch the tire to the rim and the rim to the car without it?

Take off the hubcap and take a LOOK at the wheel. Four or five bolts attaches the wheel to the car, remove the bolts and the wheel is loose, now take a look at WHERE those bolts are. remove that and how are you going to mount the tire on the rim to the car?

Christ, my daughter could have answered this question when she was 6.
 

Klixxer

Diamond Member
Apr 7, 2004
6,149
0
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Originally posted by: Supercharged
how else would the wheel be able to support the car?!?! the rims would bend without them!


No they wouldn't, they are not even attatched to the car.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
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how the hell do some of you manage to not poke your eyes out with your dinner fork?
 

godmare

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2002
5,121
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Originally posted by: LethalWolfe
Originally posted by: AgaBooga<BR>Why have that on there at all? It would be cheaper to not put that section at all
<BR><BR><BR><BR>That is what the rubber tire is mounted to and what attaches to the car. Yes it would be cheaper not to include it but what use is a car w/no wheels? ;)<BR><BR><BR>Lethal
LOL!
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: werk<BR>I don't think you'd be driving too far with tires mounted on hubcaps with no wheels. :roll:<BR>Honestly, this is the dumbest thing I've EVER read on this forum.
<BR><BR>Yeah, I can't believe I responded to it. :roll:
Man, this is good stuff. :laugh:
 

godmare

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2002
5,121
0
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Originally posted by: ElFenix
how the hell do some of you manage to not poke your eyes out with your dinner fork?

I had an instructor in hs that said, atone time, 'it's amazing some of y'all are alive,'
referring to the class.

 

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,306
12,822
136
Ok, I finally understand what Booga is asking.

The black part where the rim is bolted to the brakes is called the hub. When a cover is designed for concealing the hub, it is called a hub cap. The outer part where the tire sits is called the rim. The whole assembly is called the wheel.

Not all stamped steel rims are crap.

I have a set of 15x7 police rims on my Mopar. The rims have 5 huge slots in them for airflow (meant to cool the brakes). They don't require a cover but I did put a centercap on it that is chrome. The rims are black with chrome lugs. It looks way killer and they are stronger than aluminum rims and quite light too.

 

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
Originally posted by: Kilgor
I think I know what you are saying. The reason is because the wheels are made by a cheaper method and metal most likely stamped steel I think. When they use steel the wheels have to be designed differently to take the weight and stress. The steel wheels are cheaper than the Aluminum type because they are easier to make. Aluminum is a lighter metal than steel so you can take a big block of it and cut it into a rim that weighs 25 pounds but if tried the same thing with steel it would weigh 50.
No, it would weigh about 71.1lbs.
 

natto fire

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2000
7,117
10
76
Originally posted by: ElFenix
how the hell do some of you manage to not poke your eyes out with your dinner fork?

LOL. I'm not even going to respond to the OP looks like they got that covered.

BTW: Aluminum wheels are cast, as opposed to stamped steel wheels.
 

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,306
12,822
136
Originally posted by: Captain_Howdy
Originally posted by: ElFenix
how the hell do some of you manage to not poke your eyes out with your dinner fork?

LOL. I'm not even going to respond to the OP looks like they got that covered.

BTW: Aluminum wheels are cast, as opposed to stamped steel wheels.
Not all are. Some are billet.
 

natto fire

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2000
7,117
10
76
Originally posted by: Iron Woode
Originally posted by: Captain_Howdy
Originally posted by: ElFenix
how the hell do some of you manage to not poke your eyes out with your dinner fork?

LOL. I'm not even going to respond to the OP looks like they got that covered.

BTW: Aluminum wheels are cast, as opposed to stamped steel wheels.
Not all are. Some are billet.

And lets not forget forged magnesium although not a lot of people are sportin' those.
 

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
15,581
1
76
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
yup, steel pressed wheels are cheap and easy to make. downside is that they are horribly ugly and need the covers, and heavy. aluminum costs a lot more, and aren't stamped, made with more costly methods.

Actually, it is a very common misconception that steel wheels are heavier than alloys. For the same strength (OEM spec) and rim size, they are about the same. I have weighed 4 different sets of OEM wheels of the same size/same car and have come to the conclusion that steek wheels are basically the lightest ones I can find.

The only thing alloys are really for is for the bling. It's really too bad the no hub cap look is so ricy.



 

Kelvrick

Lifer
Feb 14, 2001
18,422
5
81
Originally posted by: OS
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
yup, steel pressed wheels are cheap and easy to make. downside is that they are horribly ugly and need the covers, and heavy. aluminum costs a lot more, and aren't stamped, made with more costly methods.

Actually, it is a very common misconception that steel wheels are heavier than alloys. For the same strength (OEM spec) and rim size, they are about the same. I have weighed 4 different sets of OEM wheels of the same size/same car and have come to the conclusion that steek wheels are basically the lightest ones I can find.

The only thing alloys are really for is for the bling. It's really too bad the no hub cap look is so ricy.

Ricy? I figure ghetto. Ricy is having spinner hubcaps or shiny silver painted walmart hubcaps.

<== proud of my dull alloy painted hubcaps.

Oh, and wtf was this thread brought back to life? His rating must be plummeting.
 

BadNewsBears

Diamond Member
Dec 14, 2000
3,426
0
0
Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus<BR>
Originally posted by: werk<BR>I don't think you'd be driving too far with tires mounted on hubcaps with no wheels. :roll:<BR>Honestly, this is the dumbest thing I've EVER read on this forum.
<BR><BR>Yeah, I can't believe I responded to it. :roll:
<BR><BR>Wow! Sorry guys, I didn't realize the wheel needed more support than just the outer rim the tire rests on...

How do you think the axle connects to the outer rim. Levitation? Im generally not a mean prick like this but. Man,..... DUHHHH
 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus<BR>
Originally posted by: werk<BR>I don't think you'd be driving too far with tires mounted on hubcaps with no wheels. :roll:<BR>Honestly, this is the dumbest thing I've EVER read on this forum.
<BR><BR>Yeah, I can't believe I responded to it. :roll:
<BR><BR>Wow! Sorry guys, I didn't realize the wheel needed more support than just the outer rim the tire rests on...

It's not necessarily "more support," it's that there has to be SOMETHING to attach the rim to the hub. With alloy wheels that's the spokes. With steel wheels that's the part you're talking about.