Hub Centric Wheels

jimbrown1 · November 9, 2010

Does anyone know if the MB Wheels Gunner 6 is hub centric or not? I installed a set on my 05 Sierra and it has a slight vibration at 45 MPH but I'm not sure if the wheels are causing the issue or not. There have been discussions on removing the clip on the rear drum as well as the rotor on the GMT800 so the wheel will fit flush and not vibrate. Any help is appreciated.

Wingnut · November 9, 2010

Since your truck is an '05, and you say that the vibration is at a specific speed, I'd lean more towards u-joints than wheels. Especially if the vibration goes away when you go faster.

scZ71 · November 10, 2010

If a wheel store did the installation they should have removed the lock rings on the studs that hold the brake rotor on at assembly allowing custom wheels to mount flush against the rotor. Stock wheels have a machined relief on the back sides to clear the lock rings.

And yes, it could be a u-joint. The rear one went bad on mine first and I couldn't tell till I removed the drive shaft.

Zembonez · November 10, 2010

If your wheels are not hub centric, the tire store should be able to provide hub centric rings that do the same thing. There is no load on the wheel center, it simply centers the wheel when tightening the lugs. ALL of the stress is on the lugs once they are torqued.

cwalcz · November 10, 2010

I wouldn't rule out the lock rings until you have checked them yourself. I had a shop install my wheels for me and they never took off the lock rings. I had a bad vibration until I could find the cause

jimbrown1 · November 11, 2010

Took it to dealer yesterday who said I had a cracked transmission mount which they replaced, but vibration is still slightly there. Plan to remove the wheels and see if the retainer rings were left on after installing the wheels, although the vibration was there before they were installed. Seemed to have occurred after the ring & pinion was upgraded, although that was fixed as well since 4 Wheel Parts didn't fill it with enough fluid and caused issues with the bearings.

jimbrown1 · November 12, 2010

Dealer is telling me it's the body mounts, approximately $375, but won't guarantee that the vibration will go away. Not covered under GMPP warranty. What sense does that make?

Zembonez · November 12, 2010

Your vibration IS NOT BODY MOUNTS. Replacing them will not fix it.

jimbrown1 · November 12, 2010

They dropped the drive shaft and said it wasn't the U joints. Since it only happens at 45 MPH, I may just leave it as is and be done.

Zembonez · November 12, 2010

The body mount diagnosis tells me they are guessing. I'd pass on that "fix" too.

jimbrown1 · November 19, 2010

Turns out that Discount Tire did not install hub rings with the non hub-centric Gunner 6 wheels. Took care of most of the vibration. I still think they need to rotate the back tire(s) 180 degrees on the rim to get rid of the small vibration/wheel hop but they don't want to because they're afraid it will get worse. Go figure.

slamed350 · November 19, 2010

Turns out that Discount Tire did not install hub rings with the non hub-centric Gunner 6 wheels. Took care of most of the vibration. I still think they need to rotate the back tire(s) 180 degrees on the rim to get rid of the small vibration/wheel hop but they don't want to because they're afraid it will get worse. Go figure.

if it gets worse, rotate them back, or another way. At least you'll know your problem.

Matt_ · November 19, 2010

Turns out that Discount Tire did not install hub rings with the non hub-centric Gunner 6 wheels. Took care of most of the vibration. I still think they need to rotate the back tire(s) 180 degrees on the rim to get rid of the small vibration/wheel hop but they don't want to because they're afraid it will get worse. Go figure.

A quality tech will know if its better or worse as soon as he puts it on the balance machine.

If it does get worse, then someone owes you a new tire or wheel because one or the other is defective.

Rotate it to the front and see if its something you want to live with.... wheel/tire vibes on the front axle are much more annoying than the rear.

jimbrown1 · November 19, 2010

think I'll take it to NTB and see if they can identify the issue and then go back to Discount if NTB determines one of the tires is bad. This issue occurred before the MB Wheels were installed and since they were not hub centric and they didn't install the hub rings it only got worse. Thanks for the help Matt.

jimbrown1 · November 20, 2010

NTB checked out my issue and rebalanced my tires/wheels and all is good now. Discount didn't rebalance after installing the hub rings. Makes me wonder how they've stayed in business. NTB didn't even charge me. Guess they are hoping my next set of tires comes from them. They're probably right!