A wheel has a rim and when someone says "rim" they often mean "wheel."  Wheels and rims, rims and wheels.  It can be confusing, but really, they are pretty much synonymous with one another unless you're talking to an engineer or technician about something very specific. But whether you call it a "wheel" or "rims," the manufacturing process is very, very important, because it sets the baseline for durability, weight, strength, and appearance.

Alloy Wheels vs. Steel Wheels

Pretty much every OEM wheel you're going to find is made of an alloy composed of aluminum and other metallic substances.  Alloy wheels are more durable, stronger, and better looking than a steel wheel.  Durability means less of a chance of cracking or corroding under normal conditions, strength means longevity, and appearance means style.  Alloys are also lighter than steel, which directly leads to responsiveness, handling, and acceleration.

One-, Two-, and Three-Piece Wheels

The vast majority of wheels are one-piece wheels, which means they were manufactured using a single mold.  Some wheels come in two- or three-piece versions, wherein there are multiple pieces molded separately (a center and barrel, or a center, inside, and outside rim pieces, respectively) and are welded and/or bolted together using high quality fasteners to ensure there's no separation.

Forged Wheels

Forged wheels are stronger and lighter than your standard aluminum wheel, because they are subjected to forced compression combined with heat.

Roll Forging

A subset of forging, roll forging sees the use of a metal blank run through rollers.  Less aluminum is used in this process, which reduces the weight of the wheel (increasing performance), but maintaining its strength and durability.

Low Pressure and Counter Pressure Casting

Low pressure casting is the most common form of wheel manufacturing currently used.  This is simply the act of pouring liquid metal into a mold and cooling it to harden into its final shape.  Counter pressure casting instead sucks the metal into the mold using a vacuum rather than having it poured in, which reduces impurities and increases material strength of the wheel.

Lug Nuts, Lug Bolts, and Wheel Locks

Though not a physical part of the wheel during the manufacturing process, lug nuts and bolts are absolutely integral when considering the durability, strength, and appearance of your wheels.  Bolts come in three common types:
  • acorn seat (conical)
  • ball seat (radius)
  • mag shank seat
When you are going with aftermarket or replica wheels, you may not be able to use your OEM lugs, which immediately calls into question the fitment and durability of any such wheels.  With OEM wheels, your OEM lugs (or lugs that are considered "OEM replacement lugs") can be used, ensuring proper fitment and safety.

In Conclusion...

...wheel construction is a very important consideration for any vehicle owner, and it's why L.A. Wheel and Tire only deals with OEM wheels.  Original equipment manufacturers (O.E.M.) like BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Audi, Honda, Dodge, and everyone else have been making OEM wheels, lugs and hardware for a very long time, and spend literally millions of dollars every year on safety and durability tests.  Knowing that you are getting the best, highest quality product is very important to us, and hopefully this crash course in wheel construction lets you know that we take that dedication to you very seriously. *** Was this informative?  Let us know in the comments below! For more info: