Pitfalls of Redrilling Wheel Hubs & Drums For Different Bolt Pattern

[Sam69sat]

Here's my dilema. I bought a set of magnum 500 wheels 15x7 off FB marketplace that were supposedly 4.5 bolt pattern. Well, two of them are 4.5 bolt pattern but the other two are a weird 4.25 bolt pattern. The rims are all brand new but now i'm stuck with these 4.25 bolt spaced rims and i figure it's going to be hard as hell to find someone that needs such a weird wheel. Was wondering if anyone has ever redrilled front or rear rotors AND drums to a different pattern? It looks like it would be possible but would it be safe having extra holes in the drums? Any other things i should be concerned about or reasons it wouldn't work? I know the right thing to do would just get new wheels and i still might do that.

 

[440 4 speed]

Here's my dilema. I bought a set of magnum 500 wheels 15x7 off FB marketplace that were supposedly 4.5 bolt pattern. Well, two of them are 4.5 bolt pattern but the other two are a weird 4.25 bolt pattern. The rims are all brand new but now i'm stuck with these 4.25 bolt spaced rims and i figure it's going to be hard as hell to find someone that needs such a weird wheel. Was wondering if anyone has ever redrilled front or rear rotors AND drums to a different pattern? It looks like it would be possible but would it be safe having extra holes in the drums? Any other things i should be concerned about or reasons it wouldn't work? I know the right thing to do would just get new wheels and i still might do that.

My best guess, you have two Ford rims. I had two Ford rims, used a die grinder enlarged the opening to fit over the front hubs. Drove it to Charger meets in Detroit Jefferson City and elsewhere . Thousands of miles.

 

[pnora]

You can send the rear axles out to Moser and they can redrill them. Myself cut your loss and dump them. There are places that sell adapters. I hate them.

 

[pnora]

My best guess, you have two Ford rims. I had two Ford rims, used a die grinder enlarged the opening to fit over the front hubs. Drove it to Charger meets in Detroit Jefferson City and elsewhere . Thousands of miles.

Its the bolt pattern not the center hole.

 

[Sam69sat]

Here's a pic of the wheel

 

[pnora]

Here's a pic of the wheel

View attachment 1795600

Mopar small bolt pattern.

 

[j-c-c-62]

Here's my dilema. I bought a set of magnum 500 wheels 15x7 off FB marketplace that were supposedly 4.5 bolt pattern. Well, two of them are 4.5 bolt pattern but the other two are a weird 4.25 bolt pattern. The rims are all brand new but now i'm stuck with these 4.25 bolt spaced rims and i figure it's going to be hard as hell to find someone that needs such a weird wheel. Was wondering if anyone has ever redrilled front or rear rotors AND drums to a different pattern? It looks like it would be possible but would it be safe having extra holes in the drums? Any other things i should be concerned about or reasons it wouldn't work? I know the right thing to do would just get new wheels and i still might do that.

Stating the obvious, a 4.25" pattern has weaker mounting (clamping force is the same) capabilities than 4.5", what application are you intending to use the 4.25", and front or rear?

 

[Sam69sat]

Stating the obvious, a 4.25" pattern has weaker mounting (clamping force is the same) capabilities than 4.5", what application are you intending to use the 4.25", and front or rear?

I was thinking fronts might be easiest but backs are also an option. Not set on either one at the moment. I'll try to sell them but don't know who the hell would want a 4.25 pattern. The damn things are brand new and never been mounted.

 

[Sam69sat]

Mopar small bolt pattern.

Are you sure? I though on 5 bolt pattern you measure from the outside of one hole to the center of the opposite hole.

 

[Kern Dog]

Mopar small bolt pattern.

No. The small bolt pattern for Mopars is a 4" circle. According to a Google search, some Fords in the past 10 years had the weird 4-1/4" pattern.
In my opinion, modifying your car to fit oddball wheels would be like buying a hat that is too small then having your head surgically altered to fit the hat.

 

[j-c-c-62]

How about modifying the wheels for that oddball (IMO) unilug plug solution from years back?

 

[pnora]

Are you sure? I though on 5 bolt pattern you measure from the outside of one hole to the center of the opposite hole.

It looked close and logical. I always use a cheap plastic bolt pattern gauge to eliminate guessing.

 

[nitro_rat]

You could probably easily spend as much or more bastardizing your car to use those wheels than a pair of the proper wheels would cost. And there's no possibility of recouping any of that investment. Just list those for sale and buy the proper ones...

 

[1967coronet]

Get the pair of 4.5s you need.

 

[Demonic]

Sell them and get the right ones.

 

[Sam69sat]

I'll put them up for sale. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Don Frelier]

I'll put them up for sale. Thanks for the replies.

If you know someone with cad software just have them make a paper drawing to be sure you state the correct bolt pattern when you list them.

 

[Dave6T4]

I think they are "A" body GM. Likely Buick Special/Skylark.