redrilling front hubs for 5lug?

[XXX4life]

would it be beyond ghetto to redill my 4lug front hubs to make them 5 lug ? i know someone that did this and has no problems but it seems kinda sketchy to me, anyone else have any input?

[aznpoopy]

there was a thread on this before. probably some good info if you search for it. i think the general consensus was that it has questionable effects on the structural integrity of the hub. if you want a ghetto solution for 5lug, get some 4 to 5 lug spacers (also not quite universally accepted as safe).

[MakotoS13]

if you buy new attain hubs for like 900 you get 4 brand new hubs that can take anything you throw at em... do you really want complications regarding the bolts that hold your wheels on the car?

[MakotoS13]

p.s. if you do redrill them i will personally laugh in your face when something goes horribly wrong.

[MeltedMonitor]

I had this same idea and posted it on this site. I got a bunch of negative comments, but nothing that actually was helpful to determine the real-world application of this idea. So I went ahead and DID IT.

I started by discussing the plan with my dad, a veteran automotive engineer in the heavy truck industry. I showed him the hub, showed him the plan and explained the stresses involved. He gave a thumbs up.

I worked up a template on my computer that was accurate to the nearest .01". (It is not a web-postable template, unfortunately, but if you have Flash or Illustrator on your computer then I can email it to you)

Then I redrilled the hub and disk together to make sure they matched. Installed it on the car and checked it weekly for the first month. No cracks, no wobbling, no NOTHING. There is no way to tell that it didn't come this way. It has been three months since then and there have been absolutely no side effects. This is an SR-powered, highly-thrashed convertible (heaviest 240s on the road?) that takes a lot of abuse. If it survives on my car then it should on yours... just take your TIME to do it right with a drill press and an accurate template.

Darren

http://www.meltedmonitor.com/twoforty/redrill/01.jpg
Started with used 4-lug hubs and new 4-lug rotor

http://www.meltedmonitor.com/twoforty/redrill/02.jpg
Started drilling by punching the holes with a template

http://www.meltedmonitor.com/twoforty/redrill/03.jpg
Reused the hole on the bottom left, four new holes started

http://www.meltedmonitor.com/twoforty/redrill/04.jpg
Using a drill press so that the bit doesn't wander and is perpendicular

http://www.meltedmonitor.com/twoforty/redrill/05.jpg
New holes drilled, ready to install new studs

http://www.meltedmonitor.com/twoforty/redrill/06.jpg
Had to die-grind the back of two holes to provide clearance for studs

http://www.meltedmonitor.com/twoforty/redrill/07.jpg
Finished product on the car

http://www.meltedmonitor.com/twoforty/redrill/08.jpg
Finished product on the car

http://www.meltedmonitor.com/twoforty/redrill/09.jpg
Bolted on my 350Z wheels and good to go!

[Pepperoni]

Yep i did this when i went Q45 front brakes route.

http://img57.exs.cx/img57/6451/rotorsbolted1.jpg

Basically just lined up one hole, and then made sure the rotors were even and put a bolt + nut to hold it down tight. I didn't go through the whole measuring process MeltedMonitor went through, and it came out good. Just make sure it's straight when you drill it.

http://img52.exs.cx/img52/439/q45rotorssurfaced.jpg

[wootwoot]

or you could take them to machine shop and ask the same thing to be done

[NismoSilvia270R]

i asked about the drill size, but no one remembers? i figured somewhere round..
7/16, 15/32 or 29/64 would be good.
they are all about ONE SIXTEENTH smaller than factory stud-knurl diameter.

KNURL DIAMETER= .50511811 inch (12.83mm)
KNURL MINUS 1/16 = .44261811*inch
7/16= .43750000*inch
15/32=.46875 inch
29/64= .45312500*inch

[speeddreamz]

I did that before too for my 300zx brake conversion. Im selling the rotors off a s14 soon, If im not mistaken stock s13/s14 rotors are the same except abs...and even abs may be the same?

[96twofourty]

I had a machine shop redrill my rear rotors when I changed over. The proce was pretty resonable...they didnt even charge me the 1hr minimum of labor like most shops do.

[holisticbeatz]

wow.. the wheel adapters were pretty cool, but redrilling is even better. Saves more money. Now I'm gunna redrill my S14 5-lug hubs to accomodate 4-lug wheels.

[ThatGuy]

http://img52.exs.cx/img52/439/q45rotorssurfaced.jpg

Anybody else see a smiley face?

[mrmephistopheles]

Anybody else see a smiley face?
:D i do :D

[MakotoS13]

looks like nice work n all... but is it a reliable alternative? serious question, for once i'm not being sarcastic.

[89s132b]

There was a guy who did it on FreshAlloy. This was over a year ago and he does regular HST events. No problems. I have a friend who did it too - he used a machine shop. He drifts alot and has had no problems either.

I think the biggest problem is keeping it all straight.

[XXX4life]

it seems like something sketchy to do, but i have yet to hear anyone that has had a problem with it

[SoCalSilvia]

sorry to bring back a very old thread, but I'm interested in getting this done. I called up a few "machine shops" and they all said they do not deal with these sort of things. Can anyone in SoCal point me to a shop/place that can?

[HyperTek]

dam this many comments and no flames huh... geez its getting temptiing.. the front hubs are the most expensive to change over since z32 and s14 rears can be used and source easier from junk yards..

wondering what suspension you guys are running.. id think stiffer suspension and harder driving would be more stressful on everything over stock suspension and hard driving...

[NotDave]

just get the rears from a s14/300zx non T and buy the attain for the fronts. should cost about 500 all together. they may be doing fine but its just like not putting on hoodpins for your cf hood...seems safe but you never know.

[kabukie]

Interesting.....hmmm...............