Enlarging stud holes in steel wheels?

[BenzBoy]

I've got some tasty Wellers for my Bond, but I've ran into a bit of a problem: the stud holes in the wheels are slightly too small to go over my M12 studs. The wheels were probably made with 7/16in studs in mind. The holes need enlarging by a very small amount - no more than 2mm.

What's the best way to do this? And am I going to encounter any problems? The seats are regular 60deg taper affairs, and the wheelnuts I have are just ordinary Ford steel wheel nuts.

[stealthstylz]

I'd just do em with a hand drill, but a vertical miller or a big pillar drill would be better.

Matt

[donttellhimpike]

a tapered drill bit would be best inho , pretty self centreing even with a cordlesss etc

[BenzBoy]

Good call on the tapered drill bit! I don't have a pillar drill apart from one that you put an electric drill into and I wouldn't get the wheel under!
I'll get a tapered bit and go slowly by hand - seems like the best plan. I just didn't want to mess it up!

[scruff]

Get a stepped drill.

A normal drill will leave your with triangular holes and a tapered drill will leave tapered holes.

It won't be very happy cutting lots of steel so coolant/lubricant will be required and I'd probably expect it to chew a couple of them doing lots of holes.

Best would be drill to 11.8 then ream out to 12 but you really need a mill or radial arm drill to do that.

Can you not get a local engineering firm to do it one lunch time? Can't see it taking them more than 30 mins...

[scruff]

Step drill - but get a metric one!

[cobblers]

Step drill from behind (so you don't curse word up the 60 degree seat)

You'll find it hard to get a normal drill through from in front without it rattling about and making triangular holes on at least a few of them.

Halfords do the step drills if you are desperate.

[BenzBoy]

Thanks for all the advice.

The wheels have the 60deg seats welded in it looks like, so the bit that I'm taking out is quite thin, at the edge of the taper.

Good call on drilling them from behind too!

I'll use a cordless drill as it's slower, and use plenty of oil.

Luckily the front wheels are fine (Dunlop make) so I only have 8 holes to do!

[alolympic]

Sorry to hear this Dean. Didn't think about nut size did we!
Worth persevering, and I look forward to seeing the trial fitment shots.

[BenzBoy]

Feb 22, 2011 17:27:11 GMT alolympic said:

Sorry to hear this Dean. Didn't think about nut size did we!
Worth persevering, and I look forward to seeing the trial fitment shots.

No problem at all mate, going "off the beaten track" a bit with wheels always brings up a few issues.

[akku]

bring 'em here and use my pillar drill

[BenzBoy]

Feb 22, 2011 18:47:07 GMT akku said:

bring 'em here and use my pillar drill

Now that sounds like a plan! Thanks mate.

[akku]

I still owe ya for heater fitting efforts