Do You Need to Change the Wheel Hub When Rotating Car Tires?
4 Answers
When rotating car tires, it is necessary to change the wheel hub as well. This avoids the need to remove the tires, reduces labor time, and protects both the wheel hubs and tires from secondary damage. Below is a detailed introduction to tire rotation: Methods for Rotating Car Tires: The rotation method varies depending on the vehicle's drive configuration. For front-wheel-drive vehicles: Move the left rear to the right front, the right rear to the left front, the left front to the left rear, and the right front to the right rear. For rear-wheel-drive vehicles: Move the left front to the right rear, the right front to the left rear, the left rear to the left front, and the right rear to the right front. For four-wheel-drive vehicles: Cross all four wheels, meaning move the left front to the right rear, the right front to the left rear, the left rear to the right front, and the right rear to the left front. Reasons for Rotating Car Tires: To prevent prolonged wear in a single direction (uneven wear), tires should be rotated regularly and timely to ensure even wear. This provides better performance throughout the tire's lifecycle and extends its service life.
I think swapping tires generally doesn't require changing the rims. The rim is that metal circular part, while the tire is the rubber part wrapped around it; when replacing tires, the technician will remove the old tire and mount the new or rotated tire onto the same rim. Unless the rim is rusted, deformed, or you want to upgrade to a larger size, there's absolutely no need to change the rims, which can save you some money. During my regular car maintenance, I periodically check tire wear, and rotating front-to-rear positions can extend tire life. I often tell my friends, don't be fooled, if the rims aren't broken, don't touch them. Just check the tightness yourself, it's worry-free and practical.
Every time I manually rotate the tires, I never touch the wheel hubs. The wheel hub is just a fixed base; the tires are removed and repositioned while the hub remains unchanged. Wheel hubs only need replacement when they're dented from impact or severely corroded. As someone who frequently DIYs car repairs, I'd remind beginners: Don't overtighten the hub bolts when changing tires, as it can damage the hub. Conversely, replacing a perfectly good hub is just a waste of money and time. By the way, after tire rotation, ensure proper balancing; otherwise, high-speed driving may cause vibrations, compromising driving safety.
From my experience, swapping tires usually doesn't require changing the rims. The rim is the core metal component of the wheel - changing tires is like changing clothes, while the rim remains in use. The only exceptions are when upgrading to larger-sized tires or if the rim is damaged. Remember, tire replacement focuses solely on the tires themselves. Keeping the original rims saves money, and more importantly, simple maintenance of the rim surface to prevent rust is crucial.
