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Multi-Piece Wheels
These wheels are assembled from two or three components and can be manufactured through different methods. This construction allows the individual pieces to be changed to achieve the required offset and rear (back) spacing.
Three-piece Wheels
While the centers can be cast in various methods or forged, the rim sections for three-piece wheels are usually spun from disks of aluminium. This enables these wheels to be custom-tailored for special applications that wouldn´t be available otherwise. The rim sections are bolted to the center and normally a sealant is applied in or on the assembly area to seal the wheel. This type of three-piece construction was originally developed for racing in the early 1970s and has been used on cars ever since.
Two-piece Wheels
The two-piece wheel design isn´t as versatile as a 3-piece wheel, however they are more common in the market, at prices that start well below the average 3-piece wheel. While some two-piece wheels have centers bolted into a cast or cast/spun rim section, other manufacturers press centers into spun rim sections and weld the unit together. Sometimes, manufacturers use special rim-rolling technology to give the rim section weight and strength similar to a forged rim. On the high-end of the two-piece wheel market, you can find wheels using forged rims and forged centers. These are sold in small volume, and due to the high development and production costs associated with the forging process, tend to be on the high end of the price scale.
Cross Section of a One-Piece Wheel