amting Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 Hi all, Just came back from a local tire shop where I brought a 2012 FWD to get winter wheel/tire swap (Ford Canada had a special promo and threw in a set of winter rubbers on steelies). I was checking out install job and noted that while my front wheels had centre nuts on them, my rear wheels have no such centre nut - instead there is a hole right through the middle. I'm not sure what to think of this as I can see through it (implying no mechanical studs, connections, etc.), however it appears like some sort of gear would fit in there as it has teeth on the interior. I've had winter steelies on other makes (Chevy & Acura), but this is the first time I've seen this - albeit I'm no expert. I've tried looking at other member's photographs to see if they have the same, but seems like no one is showing photos on steelies, and if they do the angle isn't visible. Searching the threads here doesn't result in any hits. Could someone kindly comment on this observation? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingo Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 That's where the AWD driveshafts would go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldo Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 Yep, all Edges have the same hubs/bearings, so FWD owners get the AWD splines for free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amting Posted January 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Thanks Dingo & Waldo for the quick reply! I was really scratching my head with this one. At first it seemed odd that there wouldn't be a redundant center bolt to cap off the gear hole in the middle, as other makes & models do (up here in Ontario, it's very common to see barebones steelies so this is something that stuck out as different) and one would imagine it's incremental costs even if it is mainly for aesthetics (a coworker of mine told me to put plastic hubcaps or stickers to cover it if I thought salt would corrode the gear teeth, but as they aren't used - not an issue). However given that Ford is sharing the same rear hubs between AWD & FWD, it makes way more economic sense. Nonetheless, grateful that it isn't anything to be concerned over. I've linked an image here should any other owners come across this and need reassurance. Cheers all! and FYI, enjoying the new Edge LTD - Ford did an unbelievable job on this mid cycle refresh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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