Is a Hub Lug-Centric or Hub-Centric if it Uses Bolts with a Tapered Head
Published 09/27/2018
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Question:
Hello E-Trailer Dudes, Help me unravel the mystery of my old hub/wheel: Is it hub-centric or is it lug-centric? I have read nearly all 131 questions on your website regarding this issue – It seems there are some opposing thoughts 1. The old hub measure 2.495 inches in diameter, and is nicely machined. 2. The old wheel the came off this hub has an inside diameter of right near 2.505 inches. 3. The wheel is held on with bolts, not nuts. 1/2-20 thread 4. The bolts have a tapered head, similar to the taper of a lug nut 5. In order to remove the wheel, I must remove the “screw on” style grease cap. The grease cap measures 2.495 inches in outside diameter, so theoretically, the wheel should be able to slip over this grease cap. But I did not have that luck - the grease cap had to be removed for the wheel to come off. Yes - the wheel is that tight on the inside diameter. It seems the opposing data is the tapered lug bolt and the machined center hub. The tapered lug bolt tells me this is lug-centric. The finely machined hub and related diameter tells me this is hub-centric. Can you assist? If you answer hub-centric, is this wheel with 2.500 inch ID would be the right one? Thanks for all the good work yall do.
asked by: Dan
Expert Reply:
Thank you for all of your information. I can definitely help you understand the difference between lug-centric hubs and hub-centric hubs.
Lug-centric hubs have studs that are permanently on the hub. To install a wheel you would place them on the studs and then secure it in place with lug nuts like part # CE11051.
Hub-centric hubs use bolts to secure the wheel to the hub (like what you have). It sounds like you are using trailer wheel bolts like part # RG02-020 and are getting confused as to why they have a cone shape. This does help to further secure the wheel and seat properly. It has more to do with the shape of the bolt holes on your wheel than it does with the hub itself.
If the hub bore diameter is 2.495 of your current hub then the Taskmaster 4.80-12 Bias Trailer Tire with 12" White Spoke Wheel # TA89RR, which has a pilot diameter of 2.5", should fit just fine and will work with your 1/2-20 bolts.
