WHEELS: Why Do I Want Three Piece Wheels?

This is a question I hear just about every day when discussing wheel options with customers. These wheels are called, “three piece” wheels, because they are just that, three separate pieces combined into one.

A three piece wheel starts life as a forged aluminum center, a spun aluminum outer barrel (the lip) and spun aluminum inner barrel. These three pieces are then bolted and sealed together at the end of the production process. There are many advantages to custom three piece wheels including fitment, finish, and strength.

The number one advantage to custom three piece wheels is fitment. Three piece wheels are made to order. This means that when you place your order with us, the company we choose begins “cutting” your wheels out of a block of metal, therefore, your wheels will be built to the exact specifications of your vehicle and that allows us to take into account a lowered suspension, upgraded (bigger) brakes or any other modification that might make fitting a wheel difficult. With these types of wheels, we are able to get you the largest lip size possible while fitting over the brakes on the vehicle and bringing the wheel out flush to the fender. With three piece wheels, there is never a need for hub centric rings or spacers.

Another major advantage is the finish possibilities. For the most part, three piece wheels open the door for nearly limitless finishes. Because they begin life as three different pieces, we can finish the wheel just about any way you, the customer, would like. We can do a two tone finish on the face, a custom color on the lip, a stripe on the lip, a contrasting color on the bolts, etc. The list goes on and on. Three piece wheels also give you the option to show or hide the assembly bolts that hold the wheel together.

The final major advantage to three piece wheels, is their strength. The center of a three piece wheels is extremely strong, forged aluminum while the inner and outer barrels are made of extremely strong, spun aluminum. Both of these processes are stronger than casting, which is how most one piece wheels are made. Besides being strong, forged aluminum also in turn makes three piece wheels lighter than most cast wheels.

We carry the best three piece wheel brands here at Serious Autosport and have an over 20 on display in our showroom, in all different sizes and finishes. If you’d like to know more, or are in the market for a new set of wheels, give us a call, fill out the form at the top of this page, or simply stop by our retail store to see the benefit of three piece wheels for yourself!