04 .Wheel hub extreme heat

Sti loves to Ax · 07-16-2008, 05:30 AM

Ok, so this year I'm using R-comps for the first time Autocrossing. My concern centers on what I feel may be extreme heat being generated in my hub/front bearings.

After events when changing tires the front lug nuts are very warm, sometimes bordering on being too hot to handle depending on course layout ie; predominately left or right hand course. Sometimes the outside front wheel lugs get so hot they seem to expand at a different rate than the lug nuts. When this happens I can't get the nuts off of the studs without messing up the threads on the studs which then require replacement of the affected studs and lugs.

Does anyone else experience this phenomenon or is it particular to 04 cars because of their smaller hub/bearing assembly?

Should I just let the car sit until the lug nuts are cool to the touch before I swap tires? I could drive home on the R-comps and let the car cool off over night but that is not an ideal solution to my problem.

I don't have any outward signs of the hubs going bad yet other than knockback but maybe now is a good time to upgrade to the 6gun racing hub kit. I will stay with 04 bolt pattern because I have 3 sets of rims plus T2's for that fitment so the 05 upgrade is not an option.

The T2's are going to be installed soon so it would make sense to do the hub upgrade at the same time if thats the solution to my problem. Opinions to fix my issue are welcome.

Jeff

JPotter · 07-16-2008, 09:59 AM

I have an 05 STi with the larger hubs and I still notice a heat issue after long hard runs with the front wheels.

It has actually shrank 5 (had ordered a new set of 4) of my Rota center wheel caps to where they will not fit in the rim anymore. No, they are not worn or broke. It appears the heat actually shrunk them slightly to where they no longer fit snug.

It only happens to the center caps that are on the front wheels.

Long story short, if you are an 04 STi on the stock hubs and track/Auto-X the car you will most likely run into hub/bearing issues due to the heat.

**Turninconcepts.com** · 07-16-2008, 10:05 AM

This is common on any car that is racing. The breaks generate a lot of heat and much of itis absorbed by the hub and wheel. It is always recommended to let the car cool ebfore doing anything to it. Especially removing lugs. A countless number of people have snapped lug studs when trying to remove lugs from hot studs.

Sti loves to Ax · 07-17-2008, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turninconcepts.com

This is common on any car that is racing. The breaks generate a lot of heat and much of itis absorbed by the hub and wheel. It is always recommended to let the car cool ebfore doing anything to it. Especially removing lugs. A countless number of people have snapped lug studs when trying to remove lugs from hot studs.

Thanks for the reply TIC. I"ll try letting my front hubs cool overnight before swapping rims. The rears don't generate the same amount of heat so I'll still swap those after the events. Hopefully this approach will yield better results for me.

07-16-2008, 05:30 AM	#1
Sti loves to Ax Junior STI Driver Car: 04 silver STi Fav Mod: More seat time Location: CT Posts: 198 Join Date: Jan 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	04 .Wheel hub extreme heat Ok, so this year I'm using R-comps for the first time Autocrossing. My concern centers on what I feel may be extreme heat being generated in my hub/front bearings. After events when changing tires the front lug nuts are very warm, sometimes bordering on being too hot to handle depending on course layout ie; predominately left or right hand course. Sometimes the outside front wheel lugs get so hot they seem to expand at a different rate than the lug nuts. When this happens I can't get the nuts off of the studs without messing up the threads on the studs which then require replacement of the affected studs and lugs. Does anyone else experience this phenomenon or is it particular to 04 cars because of their smaller hub/bearing assembly? Should I just let the car sit until the lug nuts are cool to the touch before I swap tires? I could drive home on the R-comps and let the car cool off over night but that is not an ideal solution to my problem. I don't have any outward signs of the hubs going bad yet other than knockback but maybe now is a good time to upgrade to the 6gun racing hub kit. I will stay with 04 bolt pattern because I have 3 sets of rims plus T2's for that fitment so the 05 upgrade is not an option. The T2's are going to be installed soon so it would make sense to do the hub upgrade at the same time if thats the solution to my problem. Opinions to fix my issue are welcome. Jeff This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

07-16-2008, 09:59 AM	#2
JPotter Junior STI Driver Car: 05 WRX STi Fav Mod: RCE Tarmac-2's! Location: St. Louis Posts: 77 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: 04 .Wheel hub extreme heat I have an 05 STi with the larger hubs and I still notice a heat issue after long hard runs with the front wheels. It has actually shrank 5 (had ordered a new set of 4) of my Rota center wheel caps to where they will not fit in the rim anymore. No, they are not worn or broke. It appears the heat actually shrunk them slightly to where they no longer fit snug. It only happens to the center caps that are on the front wheels. Long story short, if you are an 04 STi on the stock hubs and track/Auto-X the car you will most likely run into hub/bearing issues due to the heat.

07-16-2008, 10:05 AM	#3
Turninconcepts.com Authorized Vendor Car: 04/08STI 95SVX 86E30 Posts: 5,068 Join Date: Jul 2003 Trader Rating: (53)	Re: 04 .Wheel hub extreme heat This is common on any car that is racing. The breaks generate a lot of heat and much of itis absorbed by the hub and wheel. It is always recommended to let the car cool ebfore doing anything to it. Especially removing lugs. A countless number of people have snapped lug studs when trying to remove lugs from hot studs.