Do You Need to Replace the Wheel Hub When Changing Car Tires?
2 Answers
Replacing tires does not require changing the wheel hub. The functions of tires are: 1. To work with the car suspension to cushion the impact during driving; 2. To ensure good ride comfort and driving smoothness; 3. To ensure good adhesion between the wheels and the road surface; 4. To improve the car's traction, braking, and off-road capability; 5. To bear the weight of the car. Precautions for tire use include: 1. Pay attention to the degree of tread wear; 2. Avoid excessively high or low tire pressure; 3. Remove debris from the tread to prevent punctures that could lead to air leaks or blowouts; 4. Rotate tires regularly to prevent uneven wear.
I've been repairing cars for many years. Generally, you don't need to replace the wheel hub when changing tires unless the hub itself has issues. The wheel hub is the metal part that supports the tire and is usually very durable, lasting for years without problems. However, if you hit a curb while driving and the hub gets deformed, or if it's severely rusted or corroded, then it needs to be replaced along with the tire. For example, last time I helped a customer change a new tire, I found cracks in the hub and advised him to replace it; otherwise, it could easily lead to a blowout on the road. Safety is the top priority, so every time tires are changed, the technician will check if the hub is smooth and undamaged. Rusty hubs also affect balance and can cause unstable installation. In terms of cost, replacing just the tires is cheaper, while a new hub is more expensive, but most of the time you only need to pay for the tires. In short, don’t overdo it—if the hub is fine, there’s no need to replace it.
