bolt pattern change optins

[poomwah]

I got the wheels I want for the front of Rocco.
They are 5 lug chevy.... I have 4 lug discs on the front...I'm guessing Empi. I have some vw 4 to chevy 5 lug adapters, but the center hole on the adapter is too small to fit over the raised part of the disc that sticks out around the hole for the axle and bearing.
I'm leery about adapters to begin with, and I don't want to take any material off of them to make them fit.
What are my options to make THESE wheels fit?
and what will be the most cost effective method?
5 lug discs?
have the current discs drilled?
go back to drum brakes (yuck)?

[poomwah]

I know its probably a bad idea, but out of desperation I'm going to ask anyway.
In the pics, the dark green line is how much metal would have to be removed to get them to fit. I probably know the answer, but is that too much metal to remove and still be safe?

[BeetleBob]

If I were using the adapters, I would bore them out. That is a minimal amount of material.
I was a machinist for many years and that looks like a very doable operation.

Bob

[poomwah]

thanks BeetleBob

[81pumagtc]

I agree with BeetleBob. Should not cause a problem at all.

Dave

[Ruffuss]

Or have your rotors drilled, tapped and studs installed for 5 on 4 1/2"dia.(Chevy pattern).

[vw1s]

I won't run adapters, period! They are made of some of the cheapest, softest imitation metal you can find. If you've never seen a well oxidized adapter, it can only be described as "S your pants scary". Taking material off WILL weaken them further. I know someone will chime in with a story about how they, or someone they know, have run adapters with no problems, etc., and maybe they have. I have personally seen adapters that rotted right off the drum in under two years of use! Sell the adapter and buy the studs that Kenn suggested.
Check your tape measure there Kenn, Chebys are 5 on 4-3/4", 5 x 4-1/2 will get you to Ford (yucky) Dodge and Jeep.

[81pumagtc]

I would agree with Patrick to a point. If you NEVER take it out in the snow and salt, the alloy won't rot as bad. The Pig of Plastic has real magnesium wheels, and since they have never seen salt, they are fine.

Once they have seen salt in a winter, they are usually junk. Add in the fact that Brazilian steel is another name for pig iron, and the chassis becomes nothing more than rust molecules holding hands, and the cars require lots and lots of restoration...

The bodies are still pretty, though, since they are fiberglass...

Kenn and Patrick make an excellent point. Having your discs drilled and tapped would be the desired way to do it, and it's usually far less expensive than you think. You MUST have this done by a shop. Mere mortals don't usually have the equipment to do this.


Dave

[Ruffuss]

May 26, 2013 7:20:20 GMT -5 vw1s said:

I won't run adapters, period! They are made of some of the cheapest, softest imitation metal you can find. If you've never seen a well oxidized adapter, it can only be described as "S your pants scary". Taking material off WILL weaken them further. I know someone will chime in with a story about how they, or someone they know, have run adapters with no problems, etc., and maybe they have. I have personally seen adapters that rotted right off the drum in under two years of use! Sell the adapter and buy the studs that Kenn suggested.
Check your tape measure there Kenn, Chebys are 5 on 4-3/4", 5 x 4-1/2 will get you to Ford (yucky) Dodge and Jeep.

Your right Patrick, saw it after the fact. It was a long day before and it was Early (even for me) what can I say??

[poomwah]

Thanks guys.
I tried to find a machine shop that will drill the rotors. I was surprised that so many were open saturday. Anyway, I guess I'll keep looking, LOL. I will have to drive further than I had planned to find one probably. So far, the ones I talked to either wouldn't do it at all (told me to go buy adapters or buy drums with the right bolt pattern) or the ones that would do it couldn't give me a price, said they wouldn't know how much it would cost until AFTER they did them because they wouldn't know what they were getting into. Not reassuring, lol.
SO.... I'll modify the adapters for now, just so the car is moveable in the driveway (it's probably not going to be out on the road this year), and I'll keep looking for a machine shop that will drill them and in the mean time keep my eyes open for a good deal on some 5x4 3/4 rotors.
Thanks again guys

[Ruffuss]

You may have to ship them out, there are some places out of state that do it.

[poomwah]

by the time I pay shipping charges both ways, then pay the actual machine shop costs, I wonder if I'd just be better off getting new rotors

[Ruffuss]

Just a thought. Go to the samba forums and ask if anyone know of any shop in your area can do these?

[bone]

the biggest problem ive had with adaptors is they loosen up over time.

i dont run them anymore and wont. i hated them because i couldnt keep them tight. ive ran new ones and old corroded ones. just recheck your lugs under the wheels once in a while and monitor wear as a regular maintanence item and you shouldnt have a problem

the material you want to take off will not effect the problems that already come with adaptors.

[rwk]

I can drill and tap or set up for studs if you need, Iam in Battle Creek, pm me