Downsides to Drilling Hubs For Different Bolt Patterns?

[SCT]

So given the fact that I may have bought wheels that are 4x114.3 steelies... Supposedly I have a set of MX73 steelies on the way. Cressida's are 4x114.3 but the guy had them on an Integra which are all 4x100 except the 2000+ Type R's I believe. Apparently AE92's are 4x100. So I'm not sure was he using adapters or did a hub conversion.

So I was thinking.

I don't want to use adapters. But I may have to use spacers. If I don't, then it's a win. But if I do have to use a spacer, at least it can be less than 25mm which is the minimum thickness of an adapter.

So...

What about if I remove the front and rear hubs, drill 4x114.3 bolt pattern holes for the studs?

Whenever I want to run 4x114.3, all I have to do is knock the studs out from the 4x100 bolt pattern holes and re-install them into the 4x114.3 holes.

This can also be possible with 5-bolt patterns.

Is there any downside to this? Because this would really be a good thing especially if I want to buy super rare ass wheels that don't come in the patterns I need which is 4x100, even though the offset is within range.

Why do I get the feeling this has been done millions of time, I'm just far too late to the trend... whatever.

[Flashmn]

Depends how the flange is cast, some have thicker material thickness where the studs are. If its the same all around, then I dont see why not. Just take them to someone who has a lathe to do it, dont attempt to hand or even bench drill them.

[eage8]

the only issue I see is having enough room on the outside of the hub...



this isn't a AE92 hub, it's an MR2, but I don't think it could go out another 7mm...

you'd also have to re-drill your brake rotors too.

I would get adapters if possible...

4x100 is way more common than 4x114

[SCT]

4x100 is more common. Having the ability to switch studs to another 4 bolt pattern or possibly 5 bolt would be cool. Definately widen my wheel options.

The issue I have is that the adapters will have to push the wheels out by an inch at the least.

I'll check out the hub surfaces one good day.

Yea, I'll have to drill the rotors and drums as well unless I could find suitable ones from some other car...

[Bitter]

you may be able to press new hubs into the bearings, If another year (7th gen) uses the same wheel bearing then the hubs swap between the two and you can press in 4x100 hubs.

[Flashmn]

Why would he want to press in 4x100 hubs, since the corolla already has them :P

[SuperRA]

I think you will find that the cost will much out weigh the benifits assuming you don't have the correct machinery to do it right. You'll need more than a lathe. Either a vertical mill with an indexing table or a very nice drill press with an indexing table and precise machining skills. Though it may sound cool to switch between bolt patterns, do you know how much a pain it is to press or bang out 20 studs and reinstall them just to change wheels? It might work better if you had those lug bolts like on VWs etc. Also, if you see that hub that eage showed, I don't see where you have room to put a second bolt pattern with those two large holes on the hub flange. I dunno, seems like more trouble that it's worth to me. IMHO

[SCT]

Knocking out the studs is not that hard actually. I loved doing them when I worked at Sears Auto. I would get $16 commission just to bang out a busted stud and install a new one. I would get that done in 10 minutes or less. A dollar more than doing an alignment which takes up to 30 minutes, depending on the car, which pays $15 per car.

I'm just considering other options right now. Down part to adapters is that I have to get a wheel that is at a 50+ or 60+ offset or grind the mounting surface of the wheel so the wheel don't stick out.

[SuperRA]

Don't get me wrong, if you want and can do it, go ahead. But seems bit much work just to be able to switch between wheels. Say you do it in half your time of 10min ea, so 5min each stud. Multiplied by 16 studs, that's an 1hr 20min just for changing studs. Eh, too much trouble for me.

[Bitter]

Originally Posted by Flashmn

Why would he want to press in 4x100 hubs, since the corolla already has them :P

I misread, I flipped what had has with what he has. I accidentally the whole thing.