Discover 18 Key Parts of a Car Wheel: Names, Functions & Diagram

The invention of the wheel was the first milestone in the era of transportation. It is a circular component that is intended to rotate on an axle bearing. The wheel changed the way of transportation. It started being used in a variety of applications. Furthermore, it became an important part of the automobile. Various parts of a car wheel make a perfect assembly for an automobile. Its function is to transform the torque via the tire to the road. Due to that, the car runs on the road. In every vehicle, the wheel parts are responsible for moving the car from one place to another. Its size varies as per the vehicle type. But without the wheel, all the vehicles are expensive lawn ornaments.

Today, not only in the automobile, the use of wheels has become common in different sectors. During the wheel selection, it is necessary to know every part of a wheel, its material, and its function. Because its material decides its characteristics and strength, it helps to improve its aesthetics.

Car Wheel Parts Diagram

Car Wheel Parts Names

Parts of a Wheel

Below are the different parts of the car wheel explained in detail.

Rim

The wheel and Rim are different components within a vehicle’s wheel assembly. It’s crucial to understand their differences. The wheel contains several integral elements, including the Rim, hub, tire, valve, and more.

The Rim, specifically, serves as a cylindrical structure responsible for securely holding the tire in place. In traditional wheel designs, a tube is positioned inside the tire. However, in modern tubeless tire systems, achieving an airtight seal between the tire and Rim is critical. It’s due to having no separate inner tube in older configurations.

Material selection plays a pivotal role in rim manufacturing. It is essential to choose materials that can withstand a variety of forces, including the weight of the entire vehicle. The size of the tire depends upon the dimensions of the Rim, providing flexibility for customization based on specific requirements.

Furthermore, customization in the Rim’s appearance allows for diverse shapes and colors to be applied. It adds a unique aesthetic touch to the overall wheel assembly.

Barrel

The cylindrical structure provides the geometric foundation and external interface for attaching the pneumatic tire. Its outer contour serves the critical function of preserving and containing the pneumatic pressure within the tire assembly.

Outer Lip

The peripheral region of a wheel is commonly referred to as its outer circumference. It is easy to deform when a vehicle encounters a pothole. This deformation results from the deep impact experienced by the wheel, which leads to its distortion. It can be attributed to the inadequate support provided by the spokes of the wheel.

Drop Centre

The drop center, located at the central and slender portion of the wheel barrel, serves as a critical tire support element. Its primary function is to promote the correct tire installation onto the Rim. It’s achieved by introducing one side of the tire into the drop center, allowing the opposing side to effectively engage with and secure itself onto the Rim’s periphery.

Flanges

Flanges prevent the tire from slipping while a car is running on the road. These are at both ends of the wheel. It also prevents slippage of the tire during harsh conditions like heavy rides, uneven roads, etc.

Beads

It helps to fit the tire on the wheel and create a seal. Beads and flanges are part of the wheel assembly.  

Mounting Humps

The circumferential ridges encircle both sides of the wheel barrel. These ridges create humps, which serve the dual purpose of restricting tire beads and securing the tire onto the wheel assembly. The angled edges of these humps play a crucial role in facilitating maintenance operations.

In select automobile models, particularly high-performance sports cars, these hump edges exhibit a linear configuration designed to prevent tire dislodgment from the Rim. This configuration enhances the tire-to-rim interface, ensuring tire retention even at high-speed conditions.

Hub

The hub is a central part of the wheel. On one end of the hub brake drum mounts, and the other end wheel bearing. Hub has a center hole to engage with the axle. So, we can insert the hub into the axle, and with the stud, we can fix the wheel on the axle.

This part holds the rotor, brake pad, calipers, and others. So, we can run the vehicle on the road and apply breaks whenever required.

Centre Bore

The primary purpose of the center bore is to provide structural support to the weight distribution of the vehicle. It is positioned exactly at the central axis of the wheel, on its inner surface. This crucial component plays a crucial role in maintaining the vehicle’s equilibrium and stability.

Centre disc or Plate

The purpose of the plate is to secure all wheel components onto the axle. It features a peripheral gap designed for attaching it to the axle.

Spokes

Spokes are the structural member that connects the Rim and hub. It is for the structural integrity of the wheel. In some vehicles, it is built with a rim, and in some vehicles, it is separate.

It improves the aesthetics of the vehicle and makes it unique from other vehicles. We can customize it as per our requirements.

Five spokes wheel is common, but we can see the vehicle with 3 spokes and more than 5 spokes. Fewer spokes reduce the weight of the wheel assembly.

It helps to absorb impact forces during driving. So, the material of the spokes plays an important role in their strength.

Bolt Circle

It is an area created by the lug bolt. It can vary as per the vehicle and manufacturer.

Valve

The automotive valve mechanism serves the critical function of setting and leading tire air pressure levels. Its primary objective is to mitigate the risk of tire damage or potential accidents resulting from bad tire conditions.

Rubber stems are commonly used in vehicles. Others are also there, which are made up of metal to increase aesthetics.

Centre Cap

The center cap, also known as the hubcap, forms the central region of the wheel where the spokes connect. It serves the purpose of fitting into the hub’s center bore. The center cap is typically non-removable due to its integral design.

Functionally, the presence or absence of a center cap does not restrict the operation of a vehicle. However, in modern automobile design, the center cap often incorporates the manufacturer’s logo. It contributes significantly to the overall aesthetics of the wheel assembly.

Lug Holes

Lugholes are the holes around the center bore. It is for the passing bolt to attach the wheel with the axle. We can fix the wheel assembly with the axle by the nuts. These lug holes vary as per the manufacturer. Some manufacturer uses 4 lug holes, and some use 5, 6, and 8.

Outboard Face

It is the outer side of the wheel after fixing the vehicle. It improves the aesthetics of the vehicle.

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