How to Determine if a Wheel Hub is Out of Round?
2 Answers
To determine if a wheel hub is out of round, use a jack to lift the wheel off the ground and rotate it. If the wheel wobbles, it indicates that the hub is out of round. Symptoms of an out-of-round wheel hub include: 1. The vehicle pulls to one side while driving, with severe shaking of the body and steering wheel; 2. Wear on the bearings and half-shafts; 3. Impact on the chassis suspension, leading to deformation or breakage. The wheel hub is the rotating part of the wheel that connects the tire's inner rim to the central rotating section via spokes, serving as the metal component that supports the tire and mounts onto the axle. Factors to consider when selecting a wheel hub include size, bolt pattern, and shape. The basic parameters are: 1. Size; 2. Width; 3. PCD and bolt holes; 4. Offset; 5. Center bore.
A few days ago, my car started shaking violently when driving over 100 km/h. After stopping to check, I found that the wheel rim was slightly deformed, which is called wheel rim out-of-roundness. The simplest way to diagnose this is to lift the car or find a flat surface, then slowly rotate each wheel by hand. If you feel irregular wobbling or hear a clicking sound, it’s likely out-of-round. I also tried paying attention to vibrations while driving, especially at high speeds—strong vibrations could indicate the issue. If left untreated, the tires will wear unevenly or even blow out. I recommend beginners regularly check the wheel rims for dents or cracks. Remember, safety comes first—don’t skip inspections, or you’ll end up spending more on repairs.
