To change a bolt pattern on a wheel, you typically cannot alter the wheel itself. Instead, you modify the vehicle's hub or use adapters to fit a wheel with a different bolt pattern.
Changing a vehicle's bolt pattern allows you to install wheels that were not originally designed for your specific make and model. This is commonly done for aesthetic reasons, performance upgrades, or when desirable wheels are only available in a different pattern. Based on standard practices, there are two primary methods to achieve this:
Method 1: Using Wheel Spacers/Adapters
This is often the simpler and less invasive method.
- What they are: Wheel adapters (often also referred to as spacers, though true spacers only push the wheel out) are components that bolt onto your vehicle's existing hub using its original bolt pattern.
- How they work: The adapter then has a second set of studs or holes arranged in the new bolt pattern you want to use, allowing you to mount the desired wheels.
- Reference Insight: As mentioned in the reference, "For some vehicles, you can use wheel spacers/adapters, which use different lug patterns."
Considerations for Adapters:
- Spacer Thickness: Adapters add thickness, pushing the wheel further out from the hub, which affects wheel offset and potentially tire clearance.
- Load Capacity: Ensure adapters are high-quality and rated for your vehicle's load.
- Proper Installation: Correct installation is crucial for safety.
Method 2: Redrilling Vehicle Components
This method is more permanent and requires specialized equipment and expertise.
- What is Redrilled: The vehicle's components where the wheel mounts – specifically the spindles (or hubs) and brake rotors/drums – are machined to accept a new bolt pattern.
- Adding New Studs: New holes are drilled and precisely positioned for the desired bolt pattern. New wheel studs are then pressed into these new locations.
- Reference Insight: The reference states, "However in nearly every case, if you have access to a precision machine shop, you can simply redrill the spindles and brakes, press new wheel studs into the new locations and install new wheels."
- Requirement: This process absolutely requires access to a precision machine shop to ensure accuracy, which is critical for safety and proper wheel fitment.
Considerations for Redrilling:
- Cost: This method is generally more expensive than using adapters due to the labor and specialized machinery involved.
- Permanence: This is a permanent modification to your vehicle's hubs and brakes.
- Expertise: Must be performed by experienced professionals to maintain structural integrity and ensure perfect alignment.
Summary of Methods
| Method | Description | Requires Special Tools/Shop? | Modifies Vehicle Permanently? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheel Adapters/Spacers | Bolts onto original pattern, provides new pattern for wheel mounting. | No (standard tools) | No |
| Redrilling Components | Machines new holes for studs on hubs/spindles and brake components. | Yes (Precision Machine Shop) | Yes |
Both methods effectively allow you to change the usable bolt pattern, but they differ significantly in process, cost, and permanence.
