With over 52,000 new and used car wheels and tires ready to be shipped from Japan, you will have no problem finding your ideal replacement parts at BE FORWARD. Our list of wheel parts comprises mainly of offerings from Japanese manufacturers like Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Suzuki, Daihatsu, Subaru, and Mitsubishi; however, we also carry parts for the most popular international car brands including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, and more.

Car Wheels Overview

Wheels can vary according to car manufacturer and model, but at the end of the day, they all perform the same function of allowing your car to move, while at the same time supporting its weight and load. They are crucial to your safety on the road, so it is important to properly maintain them until they are no longer serviceable. Once it is time to buy replacement wheels, you can save money by searching our listings for affordable wheels and tires.

Car Wheel Parts

Tire

The tire is the outermost black rubber ring surrounding the rim of the wheel. An important safety feature is the tire's tread that comes into direct contact with the road's surface by using grooves to grip the ground and channel water and dirt away from the tire. The body of the tire is inflated with air, which allows it to cushion the wheel.

Rim

The rim is the cylindrical outer edge of the wheel that securely holds the tire. It must be made of sturdy materials such as steel to withstand the weight of the car. In the case of wheels with tubeless tires, the rim is also vital to sealing air in the space between the rim and the tire.

Hub

The hub connects the wheel to the car. It has studs that the wheel is attached to and a hole in the center that slides the wheel into the car's axle. The hub is joined to the rim by either a wheel disc or spokes. If you are not able to see the hub from the outside, this is because there is a hubcap covering it to decorate the wheel and prevent the buildup of dirt and debris.

Common Wheel Problems

Since the wheels are responsible for keeping your car on the road, problems that arise with them can be a major safety issue. Take note of these problems and their respective warning signs to know if your wheels need to be repaired or replaced.

Worn-out Tires

Over time, the gripping function of the tire tread can become impaired as it wears down and smooths out. If your car is starting to skid, especially in wet weather, check whether you are able to see the tread wear indicator bars. They are small rubber squares in the grooves of the tire that indicate that it is time to get new tires when they become level with the tire treads.

Damaged Wheels

In the case of curb rash, which is when the wheel scrapes against an elevated curb, damage to the wheels might be only cosmetic. However, if the wheels are bent or cracked, their structural integrity might be compromised. Bent or cracked wheels can break the seal between the tire and rim in tubeless tires, allowing air to escape. Additionally, structurally damaged wheels may no longer provide even contact with the road's surface, possibly causing your car to shake while driving. In most instances of structural damage, the wheel must be replaced.

Alignment Issues

When the wheels are not aligned properly, driving can become difficult as the car starts to veer or shake. Improper wheel alignment can also result in uneven and/or excessive wear on the tire tread.

Routine Wheel Maintenance

Although routine maintenance is often overlooked, it is important for your safety and can help extend the life of your car wheels.

Wheel Alignment and Balancing

Aligning the wheels involves making sure that they sit properly when mounted to your car, while balancing helps to make sure that the wheels, which are bound to have imperfections either from the manufacturing process or driving, are evenly balanced all around by affixing small lead weights to lighter areas. After either or both of these maintenances are carried out, you should notice a difference in tread wear, handling, and the amount of vibrations.

Tire maintenance and replacement

Keeping the tires properly inflated is a simple form of tire maintenance that you can perform by yourself. Underinflated tires can cause accelerating, braking, and steering problems. Also, it is important to regularly inspect your tires for uneven tread wear, bulges, cracks, and foreign objects lodged in them.

It is time to replace your tires if they are damaged, have worn-down tread, or are more than six years old.

Wheel Bearing Maintenance and Replacement

Wheel bearings are located in your car's suspension and help the wheels to spin freely. Uneven tread wear, grinding noises, and loss of control while driving can all be signs of worn-out wheel bearings, so schedule to have your car's wheel bearings inspected and serviced, and if necessary, replaced.

Suspension Maintenance

While it is not a direct part of the wheels, the suspension, and problems that arise in it, can impact the wheels, such as causing excessive wear. Keeping your car's suspension healthy by taking it in for maintenance will benefit the wheels as well.

Replacing Your Car Wheels

When it comes to replacing your car wheels, there are several conditions that will determine whether a wheel will not only fit on your car, but also perform optimally. The most obvious consideration is the size of the rim and tires. Fortunately, there are online resources that will quickly provide this information based on the make, model, and year of your car.

Other considerations include the bolt pattern on the rims and the wheel offset, which is the distance between the center line of the rim and the hub mounting surface. The offset can be positive (mounting hub faces the front of the wheel center line), negative (mounting hub faces the rear of the wheel center line), or zero (mounting hub is in line with the wheel center line). If any of these differ from your car manufacturer's recommendations, you might experience poor performance and fuel efficiency.

What to Look for When Buying Used Car Wheels

Used car wheels can be an affordable way to spruce up your car and get it running again. Once you have found wheels of the correct size, make sure that they are in serviceable condition, that they are not too old, and that there is sufficient depth on the tire treads. It is also important to check for structural damage such as cracks, dents, and bends.

When it comes to shopping for used car wheels, BE FORWARD provides information on the wheel's registration month and year, the mileage, as well as essential information for selecting the right wheel. We also provide high-quality photos and helpful customer service for any questions you may have before making your purchase. For reliable car wheels and tires at affordable prices, do your shopping with us!