Advice Need from Wheel Experts: 5x114.3 bolt pattern

[JumboBlack1.8]

Hey guys,
So I just scored a very VERY nice set of wheels at an absolutely unbelievable price. Though the offset (et38) and wheel size (18x8.5) are nearly ideal, the bolt pattern is unfortunately 5x114.3. Now, I'm aware of wobble bolts, and would rather use these as a last resort......My question to all of you is in regards to re-drilling the centers. From what I've read, to re-drill 5x114.3 to 5x112 doesn't involve NEARLY as much work as, say, 5x112 **> 5x100 conversion. If I understand the process correctly, both bolt patterns are VERY similar, and the change to 5x112 retains roughly 99% of the pre-drilled holes.....And, though the wheels are forged, this amount of work *SHOULDNT* result in any serious damage to the wheel......Now, I guess my question is....is this information correct? Or is the 5x114.3 **> 5x112 conversion more difficult than it seems?

And finally, can anyone recommend a wheel shop where I can get this done? Again, I'd rather not use wobble bolts........and I'm considering getting the wheels refinished, but may drive on them in their current state until the late fall.

Anyway, TIA

Also, I'll be selling a set of BRAND NEW 18x8.5 VMR v708's in Matte Black as soon as they're delivered.....I ordered these last week, but then this awesome deal fell right into my lap. PM me if interested

[CleanA4]

http://www.vrwheels.com/index.php?ma...ndex&cPath=102 or wobble bolts work just as well and can use on other 114.3 wheels in the future.

[protocol_droid]

^^what he said...wobble bolts

[belinko]

My wheels where re-drilled and purchased through Stasis. 114.3 **> 112

Any competent machinist should be able to perform the job. There is some tooling/fixturing required for the machining process, you're best bet is to find a machinist who's done it in the past.

[geeky]

read over this thread. It's hard to see the pics of what is done for the redrilling process but I was looking into it at one point also.

http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71629

Any competent machinist will be able to redrill the wheels without damaging the structural integrity of the wheels. The process from one of my local wheel places informed me that he first presses out the steel inserts, then he makes the initial drilled holes wider, only in one direction (closer to each hole across the wheel if that makes sense) and then resleeves them.

[Seerlah]

You should be able to find a wheel shop, seeing how you are in the Boston area. I found a wheel shop maybe 5-10 min from my house, so I know that they exist at places you would not think. I would have a talk from an expert, if anything. Ask maybe 3 wheel experts. If they all say the same thing, then go ahead with whomever is cheapest (if you trust that route).

[JumboBlack1.8]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I think I'm gonna go ahead and try a set of wobble bolts......I just did some extensive research on them, and I was unaware that they had passed various safety certification, and are actually used by some OEM manufacturing lines. I won't be tracking the car (especially not in these wheels), so I"m not worried about anything like that.

Thanks again. I'll post tons of pics when I get them


Oh....and the wheels are 18" x 8.5" HRE 540 with a stepped lip and matte black centers......can't wait

[badseed]

FWIW I just had a set of Work wheels redrilled last week from 5x114.3 to 5x112. I ordered the wheels from vrwheels.com, and had them drilled upon ordering them. You can't even tell that they've been drilled other than the fact that the bolt holes are a bit more shiny than the surrounding areas. I would say have them redrilled just because you're going to pay about $100 for wobble bolts, I paid $150 for the drilling, and for that extra $50 you don't have to buy new lugs, you can use wheel locks, which is critical on nice expensive wheels, you can use spacers to get exactly the stance you want, which you cant do with wobble bolts, and lastly a little piece of mind. I know most people say the wobbles are safe etc. but for me I'd rather not use them.

[iPoke]

Wobble bolts had been around for a decent amount of time. Should be enough time for them to get sued and closed the business down if they weren't proper.

Best of luck.

[RazKal]

http://www.tulipcitywheels.com/tcwst..._detail&p=1694

This is what one would need right?

[JEmm]

I realize you said wobble bolts are a last resort, but theres no reason for that. Theyll be cheaper and just as safe. Just go for wobble bolts and save the money.

[CleanA4]

Post some pics of the WHEELs.

[JumboBlack1.8]

The pics I have aren't the best....but heres what the wheels look like in the brushed finished on the AWE Tuning shop B5 S4 Avant:

[geeky]

if you dont mind me asking, how much did they set you back?

[JumboBlack1.8]

Sorry man....my lips are sealed on this one

[[email protected]]

My Rays Victrix are 5x114.3 and I had them redrilled to 5x112 and they pressed in steel inserts into the lug holes.

I have had the center repainted and you can't tell now that they have been redrilled but I have a center cap that covers the lugs anyway.

If your lug holes are exposed then you might want to make sure the inside of the redrill is finished to match the rest of the wheel.

Work was done by Panther Precision Machine.

[JumboBlack1.8]

I found a set of new wobble bolts on one of the forums for a pretty decent price, so I'm gonna go ahead and try those out for now.....the only thing that really sucks about them is the fact that your spacer options are VERY limited. If the stance isn't functional (i.e. rubbing, etc), then I'll have them redrilled and I'll install a stud kit with a set of spacers

[[email protected]]

If you know you might encounter limitations with the wobble bolts then why bother with them at all?

IMO that is just time and $$$ wasted which could have gone towards a redrill, spacers, studs, etc.

[onemoremile]

All you at doing is moving the centre axis of each hole in 1.6mm or .060". It is not a big change.

I have never seen a wheel with sleeved bores. I can't imagine how soft the aluminum would have to be to need them.

[geeky]

Sorry man....my lips are sealed on this one

ah no worries man, definitely understandable. but the car will look amazing with those wheels. post some pics asap.

[stevejones19]

I would go for the redrill just for the reason you stated last. 50$ isn't that big of a deal to save some grief down the road. Not saying your some baller or a broke guy or anything like that. But i'm sure you'll be much happier with the redrill

[JumboBlack1.8]

Wheels arrived today.....Pictures, as promised

one of the dented wheels

another dent (only 2 of them have such dents)

close up....lips need to be repolished and cleared

centers need to be re-powdercoated (black is fading slightly)


annnnddd the test fit....looks awesome


My plan is to have the dents fixed, then I'll disassemble the wheels and polish up the lips myself then have them PC'd clear, then I'll send the centers out for a fresh black PC. Anyone know of any good shops around Boston?

[coolgraymemo]

how much did you pay for them?

[JumboBlack1.8]

how much did you pay for them?

$5200

[k0mpresd]

edge racing (when they were around), sold re-drilled 5x114.3 wheels as 5x112 wheels. thats what mine are and ive had zero issues out of them. i didnt even know until i looked at the back of the wheels one day. and then i noticed the holes did look a little oval. lol.

[[email protected]]

Another vote for redrill. Running re-drilled Works over here, no problems. Sent them to SPP, shipping was more expensive than the redrilling.

[JumboBlack1.8]

After the test fit today, I think I'm going to stay with the wobble bolts. Originally, my main concern about wobble bolts were there lack of use through the automotive community. But after finding out how long they've been around, and that they've received a variety of safety certifications, my confidence in them has grown. Also, the offset on these wheels appears to be close to et 35, as the wheels sit PERFECTLY, aligning pretty flush with the fender (very slight poke, which I like). So, seeing how I won't be needing any spacers (and I've already got new wobble bolts for $50shipped), I won't be having the wheels redrilled......I'd rather put that money towards making these wheels shiny again :)

[$teady$upreme]

"And, though the wheels are forged, this amount of work *SHOULDNT* result in any serious damage to the wheel"

Was hoping u have a positive feedback on redrilling FORGED wheels cause that's what i was thinking. I know redrilling cast wheels with steel inserts will be no problem at all, but don't know about redrilling a Forged wheels and putting in steel inserts.

I guess wobble bolts are just as safe?

[iLovPieNCake]

What's the center bore? 114.3 with wobble bolts won't be bad but I wouldn't trust them if your center bore doesn't match.

[$teady$upreme]

centerbore can be easily fixed with hub rings. I am running studs on my wheels right now, if i ever get 5x114.3 wheels, i will be running wobble nuts.

But anyone redrilled Forged wheels before?

[Cgoon009]

centerbore can be easily fixed with hub rings. I am running studs on my wheels right now, if i ever get 5x114.3 wheels, i will be running wobble nuts.

But anyone redrilled Forged wheels before?

can be done, but it wouldn't be pleasant. I have had to drill out titanium bolts and I thought I was going to drive the car off a bridge. It takes lots of time and bits.

[$teady$upreme]

Can u elaborate?

[pbcrazy]

$5200

Please be a joke/type