Question about wheels/hub

[Zdster]

While sitting at a long set of lights the other day I was looking in the next lane at a stock civic with hub caps on. This raised a question for me, does the number of lugs that hold the wheel on the car become more secure as the number of lugs increase?

For example bigger cars tend to have a 5 lug pattern while smaller cars tend to have a 4 lug pattern (yet the civic type r is a 5 lug). Does this mean anything? Is it just done for looks? I have searched around and havent been able to find an answer to this question - does anyone else have any idea?

[bennjamin]

AFAIK , generally the more lugs - they are used to spread out more weight put upon each individual wheel . Little cars have 4 sometimes 3 lugs ( smart car) - larger you get , more lugs it seems.
Trucks have 6 maybe 12 sometimes to hold incredible weight per axle and wheel.

Someone describe this simply lol.

[MIRZ]

4X4 have 6 lugs too, its to give more power to wheels on axle.

[Zdster]

So is there any real benefit in having say five or six lugs on a civic? I suspose I am just curious that the ctr has a 5 lug setup while other civics only have 4 lugs. Cant imagine that there is that much weight difference between the two?

[ekslut]

I dont think it is necessary for a civic. There are many 4 lug race civic out there. I would be saying Honda put 5 lug on the CTR because its more of a race car, and therefore there will be lots more stress from braking and accelerating than what a regular civic would have to face. Its a bit of over engineering I think, Honda just probably thought better to safe than sorry.

[Zdster]

Well that makes sence. Thanks :)

[aimre]

i dont think the lug nuts hold n e weight, that hole in the middle does ( i belive)

i think the lug nuts would have more to do with keeping the wheel on (duh) and as ekslut said before, mainly the rotational forces applied to the wheel

[bennjamin]

i dont think the lug nuts hold n e weight, that hole in the middle does ( i belive)

i think the lug nuts would have more to do with keeping the wheel on (duh) and as ekslut said before, mainly the rotational forces applied to the wheel

If the lugs dont hold the cars weight - then what does ? :rolleyes:
Does the car float in mid air ?

The cars weight is distributed through each axle , and then each side , and then down the line to each individual lugnut. Dispersing the weight out takes load off other parts -
IMO power is not an issue - its weight or design rules which label a vehicles amount of lugs per hub.

[keric_02]

the more lugs a car has, generally the more power it has and also the more weight it has to pull. civics dont need more lugs... very light and not much power (stock)

[aimre]

If the lugs dont hold the cars weight - then what does ? :rolleyes:
Does the car float in mid air ?

The cars weight is distributed through each axle , and then each side , and then down the line to each individual lugnut. Dispersing the weight out takes load off other parts -
IMO power is not an issue - its weight or design rules which label a vehicles amount of lugs per hub.


i though it was the ting in the middle of the lug nuts
http://yotarepair.com/ToyImages/Disc%20brake%20picture.jpg

[Vivski]

Some trucks have 12 lugs, but they're a lot bigger too. It's about distributing the force evenly instead of it all being on the top bolt.
But you also have to be careful, 'cos theoretically, if you put the bolts too close together, it could have a swiss cheese effect and damage the rims in the long-term.

As keric said, it's really no big deal for small, light cars.

[bennjamin]

i though it was the ting in the middle of the lug nuts


it seems our car does not have such a large "central hub" like the one shown in your picture - I cant say exactly - but soemthing to think about is that my own wheels bottom is wider than the central hub - so the entire weight is held by the 4 lugs. Interesting :confused:

[aimre]

hmm maybe im wrong (as i originaly said i wasnt sure)

BUT why else would it be theres... also note how 4wds and trucks have larger ones