Redrilling hubs

[rayray086]

Hey guys.

I'm considering doing this now as I'll have to replace my wheel bearings soon. Most likely will go for a 5x114.3 pattern, so new holes will be clear of the original holes (considering I'd prefer to have the new holes in between the old ones) and will also be clear from the set screw on the front brakes. I'm wondering who/where I can get it done, and also if anyone knows the process - how is it done? I'm assuming the rotors must be drilled through to the hub as well. I'll most likely will purchase a new set of rotors. Would the structural integrity of the hub and rotor be compromised as a result?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[The_Hawk]

Just as a dumb question, why?

I assume there isn't an off the shelf part for this, but have you considered getting a new set made? No idea what the legalities/costs would be, but I would have thought it would be possible to whip up a set on a lathe?

[WABIT]

it isnt that easy, yes punching holes into the disc is easy, but redrilling hubs isnt..

best baseplate would be to start with a brand new set of hubs, that way there isnt any imperfections from road use or dirt on the hub so the machinist can find dead centre!

and hawk: he is doing 114.3 stud pattern so he have a wider choice of wheels! also using a laithe wont work as you need to make holes the right size for 114.3 bolts, then you have to tapp the thread with the right pitch and then clean and taper everything to make it clean

an extencive amount of measuring is required and this take time! but once one is setup your good to go on the other 3

dom

[rayray086]

Yep, just purely for a wider range of wheels. And just simply it's something I haven't done yet, and am curious as to how it'll work.

Will buy a new set of hubs since I'll be doing the wheel bearings too. It's only been a year since my last replacement so it could be due to a bad hub. I would prefer to take it to someone who has done it before and would be willing to go through how they would do it with me. Anyone have a recommendation for this type of work?

[WABIT]

wheel repair shops usually do it, ask around in sydney

dom

[DubSteve]

Ray I would say try Peter at OzWheels he'd definately be able to do them I reckon!

[Mischa]

add preeny on msn he'll give you an idea of how long it should take a qualified machinist

[intensem1]

Ray, are your hubs all the same thickness? Are they big enough in Diameter to fit a 5x114 pattern? Those are my only concerns.

[rayray086]

Ahhhh ****. I didn't think about the diameter of the hub. Always keep thinking about the rotor surface.

This is what my hub looks like (stolen pic):



Doesn't look like it can accomodate larger stud patterns...

Oh well, failed thread!

[Preen59]

Ok here goes..

You wouldn't need new hubs/rotors. You just need to pull them off and clean them up.

The easiest way to do this is to set the hub up in the lathe and mark the new PCD with the lathe tool. It ensures you get it spot on concentric, and it's just easier. Same with the discs.

Next you have to mark out the PCD using dividers and a centrepunch. I can't remember what the percentage of diameter it is for 5 holes off the top of my head, so you'll have to put up with me not telling you now. haha.

You mark the first point, and use the dividers to mark the next hole, centre punch it, and keep moving your way around the PCD until you're back to the start.

Once that's done, you drill them. For the rear discs, the thread is in the disc like a Mk1, right? I'm not 100% on Mk3's.. Never owned one.

So, for the front discs, you drill a clearance hole for the wheel bolts. For the front hubs, you drill and tap them. For the rear discs, you drill and tap them.

I'm going to be conservative here and say 30 mins per part. It would probably be faster than that, but you're better off to quote high.

So that's 6 parts, 30 mins each, @~$70/hr...

$210.00 (roughly!)

Does that make sense??




EDIT:

Aslong as the holes (they will be 7mm further out on the radius) do not come too close to the edge of the rotor/hub.. I do not see any issues with redrilling at all. My old man's KG has redrilled hubs/discs for the Porsche Fuchs wheels on it.

[OEM G60]

A friend of mine has double drilled hubs on his Corrado VR6, he has 5x100 and 5x112.
As you said Ray, the hub isn't quite big enough, he had his banded though, a doughnut welded around them basically.

Then you can go by Preeno's plans as above

BUT

You may have to enlarge the recess on the back of your rotors where they fit over the hubs....

Then you'll be in business.

[Preen59]

A friend of mine has double drilled hubs on his Corrado VR6, he has 5x100 and 5x112.
As you said Ray, the hub isn't quite big enough, he had his banded though, a doughnut welded around them basically.

Then you can go by Preeno's plans as above

BUT

You may have to enlarge the recess on the back of your rotors where they fit over the hubs....

Then you'll be in business.

That's not going to be cheap, Ray. I could do all that for you if i lived in syd. I'm sure you could find a good machineshop somewhere, right?

[Golf Loon]

You could send Preeny a set of new hubs ray and get him to drill and tap em for you.

I reckon rear discs would be easy, front hubs might be tight.

It`ll be a pain when you need new rear disks too

[rayray086]

Thanks for the info fellas!

Yeah I figured from the start it wouldn't be cheap, just wanted to know whether or not it was possible and the process of it all.

Matt, does your mate have any pics of his hub? I'm wondering if it would be safe and all, seeing as the new holes will have to be drilled through right on the edge. Also good point there with enlarging the recess to fit over the banded hub... sounding a whole lot more complicated now.

Haha being able to use low offset Jap wheels is very appealing to me, but I think I'd be putting myself in deep **** for doing so.