The 15 Basic Parts of A Car Wheel With Diagram

Every car, from a Ferrari to a Ford Pinto, relies on the simplest of machines to operate: the wheel. There’s no getting around it (pun intended)—right next to fire, the wheel might be the greatest discovery man has ever made.

Without wheels and tires, cars and trucks would be little more than expensive lawn ornaments. From car to car, wheels and tires perform the same function; the only difference is in the size, style, and structure.

To increase your knowledge base of cars, trucks, and how they work, we explore the basic parts of a car wheel. Knowing more about your vehicle will help you care for it better and keep it running for many years.

Car Wheel Parts Diagram with Name

Car Wheel Parts Names List:

Parts of a Wheel

There are various parts of a car wheel, which include three main parts: the tire, the rim, and the hub. The tire, which is the width of the wheel, goes around the rim and gives the wheel grip on the road surface. The hub is where the wheel attaches to the axle of a car.

#1. The Tire

This is pretty simple and obvious. We all know where the tire is and what it looks like. The tires are important for the car and how smooth the ride is. The tires keep the ride nice and smooth because you’re riding on air, literally.

The modern tire is around 70 years old, and prior to this, they were solid rubber and offered little in the way of cushioning. Having the right kind of tire on your car is important for safety. Tires grip the road in wet, icy, and snowy conditions and improve handling in adverse conditions.

#2. The Rim

If the tire is the skin, then the rim is the skeleton of the wheel assembly. The tire wraps around the rim, and it supports the tire, giving it form and allowing air to fill it. Rims are typically made from steel or aluminum and come in hundreds of different styles.

They can come with plastic hubcaps or in polished chrome to dazzle the eye. The style of rim varies from car to truck. Trucks need a beefier rim to support more weight and trend toward function over form. The diameter and width of the rim will dictate what style and size tire will fit on it.

#3. The Hub

The hub is the center part of the wheel that the rim attaches to. It’s home to brake pads, calipers, and rotors. All of that attaches to the axle and allows the vehicle to move and stop.

The tire is attached to the hub, and from its center, five bolts extend, along with lug nuts. The hub is home to the mechanics of the wheel and keeps it attached to the vehicle.

The hub refers to the central part of the wheel that attaches to the car’s axle, consisting of the center bore, the center disc, the lug holes, and the center cap.

#4. Spokes

Spokes are structures that connect the hub and the rim. They are the source of the wheel’s structural integrity. Together with the hub, spokes form the wheel’s outboard face. On multi-piece wheels, the wheel face is produced as a separate piece and bolted to the inside of the barrel.

Spokes also provide aesthetic value and are a major part of what makes a wheel unique. Custom wheels come in various spoke styles for visual appeal, with spokes varying in quantity, width, shape, and pattern. Some truck or trailer wheels may have solid faces with no spokes at all!

Five-spoke wheels are a common wheel design due to engineering reasons: each spoke is supported by two opposing spokes that reduce torsional vibration. A low spoke count also equates to lower wheel weight. That said, the number of spokes on a car wheel has very little effect on weight or performance, especially compared to the materials and construction methods used, so just pick the wheel that you like most.

#8. Outer Lip

The outer lip is the portion of the wheel in front of the spokes. For the most part, the dish only comes into play when it is a large area. When the spokes are significantly distanced from the outer edge, the wheel is considered a deep-dish wheel.

This is done purely for aesthetic reasons. As the dish gets deeper, the face is more vulnerable to damage from impact.

#9. Barrel

The barrel is the very outer portion of the wheel, which creates the structures necessary for mounting the tire. The barrel has many parts. The smallest inside diameter of the barrel is the drop center.

If the drop center is close to the front face of the wheel, it is a front mount wheel. If the drop enter is close to the back face of the wheel it is a reverse mount wheel.

The barrel edges are flared to create flanges. The flanges keep the tire from slipping off. The outer facing flanges are part of the cosmetic face of the wheel.

#10. Beads

Just inside the flanges are flat areas called beads. This is where the edges of the tire sit onto the wheel.

#11. Flanges

Flared edges along the inboard and outboard sides of the rim. These help to prevent the tire from slipping off the wheel.

#12. Mounting Humps

Small ridges that run along the inside of each bead rest. These help to prevent the tire beads from slipping and hold the beads in place against the wheel.

#13. Drop Center

The narrowest part of the barrel is used to mount the tire on the wheel without overstretching the bead wires.

#14. Center Cap

A removable piece that covers the center bore on the outside. On many cars today, it may also serve to protect the lug nuts from damage.

#15. Valve Stem

The rim features a hole for inserting a valve stem when mounting a tire. This is a metal-air valve used to inflate the tire and monitor its air pressure.

Now you know the parts of a car wheel, for more information read car engine parts and car parts in detail.

7 Common Issues with Wheels and How to Fix Them

Bent Wheels

Bent wheels are a common issue with replica wheels, and they can lead to a host of problems if not addressed promptly. The most obvious sign of a bent wheel is vibration when driving, especially at high speeds. Other signs include uneven tire wear, pulling to one side, and steering wheel wobbling.

To fix a bent wheel, you have a few options:

• Wheel Straightening. This is a process that involves using a hydraulic press to straighten the wheel back into shape.
• Wheel Replacement. If the damage is severe, replacing the wheel is the best option.
• Welding. Welding may be an option if the damage is not too severe. However, this should only be done by a professional.

Incompatible Wheels

Compatibility is another main issue that needs to be addressed properly. Some car owners may be tempted to install wheels that are larger or smaller than the original factory specifications. While this may improve the look of the car, it can lead to several problems, including:

• Poor Handling. Larger wheels can affect the car’s handling, making it more difficult to steer and control.
• Speedometer Accuracy. Installing wheels that are larger or smaller than the factory specifications can throw off the speedometer readings, leading to inaccurate speed readings.
• Brake Performance. Larger wheels can affect the performance of the brakes, reducing their effectiveness.

Note: To fix a wheel size issue, it’s important to stick to the factory specifications. Installing wheels that are too large or too small can cause more problems than they solve.

Brake Performance

Brake performance is a critical safety issue, and it can be affected by the type of wheels installed on the car. If the wheels are not designed to work with the car’s brake system, leading to reduced performance and increased stopping distances.

To fix a brake performance issue, consider the following:

• Upgrade the Brake System. If the wheels are causing brake performance issues, upgrading the brake system may be necessary to improve stopping distances and overall safety.
• Install Compatible Wheels. If the brake system is working properly, but the wheels are still causing brake performance issues, consider installing wheels that are designed to work with the brake system.

Wheel Alignment

Wheel alignment is another important issue. Poor wheel alignment can lead to uneven tire wear, poor handling, and reduced fuel economy. It’s essential to ensure that the wheels of your vehicle are aligned properly to avoid these issues.

To fix wheel alignment issues, consider the following options:

• Take the Vehicle to a Reputable Mechanic. A professional mechanic can perform a wheel alignment to ensure that the wheels are properly aligned.
• Purchase a Wheel Alignment Tool. If you frequently change your wheels or work on your car yourself, investing in a wheel alignment tool can help you ensure that the wheels are properly aligned.

Cracked Rims/Wheels

Cracked rims can be caused by a variety of factors, including potholes, road debris, and overloading. Signs of cracked rims include visible cracks, air leakage, and vibration when driving.

To fix a cracked rim, you have a few options:

• Rim Welding. Welding may be an option if the damage is not too severe. However, this should only be done by a professional.
• Rim Replacement. If the damage is severe, replacing the rim is the best option.
• Rim Straightening. This is a process that involves using a hydraulic press to straighten the rim back into shape. Find high quality “Rep Wheels” here at affordable prices.

Tread Depth

Tire tread depth is an important safety issue. Wheels that are not designed to work with the car’s tires, leading to uneven tire wear and reduced tread depth.

To fix a tread depth issue, consider the following:

• Invest in High Quality Tires. High-quality tires can help ensure that the tread depth remains consistent, reducing the risk of uneven tire wear.
• Regularly Check the Tires. Regularly checking the tires for signs of uneven wear can help catch tread depth issues early on.

Tire Pressure

Tire pressure is also a critical safety issue. Improperly inflated tires can lead to poor handling, reduced fuel economy, and even tire failure.

To fix a tire pressure issue, consider the following:

• Invest in a Tire Pressure Gauge. A tire pressure gauge can help you ensure that the tires are properly inflated.
• Check the Tire Pressure Regularly. Regularly checking the tire pressure can help catch issues early on before they become bigger problems.
• Adjust the Tire Pressure. If the tire pressure is too high or too low, adjust it to the manufacturer’s recommended levels.