Installing larger wheel studs

[Woodnears]

How does one go about enlarging wheel studs? Obviously I have to get the old 1/2" ones out but what do I have to do to put in the larger 9/16" studs? Reamer, drill bit, what?

[Tom Vogel]

I used a drill press and a hydraulic press. Press out the old studs, re-drill the holes and then press in the new studs.

[Woodnears]

Took another look at this and I have 7/16 in there now I need to drill or ream the hole to accept the larger 1/2 inch studs. Does anyone know what the new hole size should be? He new studs measure .530 with a caliper.

[cayce_brunswick-]

Maybe I'm missing something...why would you? I know guys putting down major horsepower with pretty much factory axles. I know they make lug nuts with a shank to take up space in the wheels. Just wondering your thoughts.

[Woodnears]

I'm trying to. Mount larger wheels with larger mounting holes in them they won't accept the smaller acorn lug nuts. The smaller lug nuts just bottom in the hole rather than seat around the hole. Here's a few pics

[Woodnears]

Another showing both lug nuts the shiny new one is the 1/2 lug nut

[Woodnears]

These pics don't show it very well.

[Woodnears]

The 1/2 inch lug nuts seat much better in the wheel.

[geezer#99]

Have you seen these.
They have a larger seat than the stock nuts do.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/24-DUAL-EXTER...item462b189705

[Woodnears]

Those might actually work. Wonder what the dorman number is. I think those would me on like a 90 sumthin truck?

[geezer#99]

I bought some from Napa. To put my SS454 wheels on my 84. Mine are 1/2 inch though with the bigger seat.
Go visit the parts store or tire shop and see what they have.

[Woodnears]

Found em, Dorman #611-160
Expensive little buggers!

[FirstOwner69]

EDIT: SCRATCH THIS SUGGESTION!!! I just noticed they have a 45 degree taper. But, if you can find some with a 60 degree taper....
If you don't need the dual thread nuts, how about something like these? http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Single...aper,6927.html However, you should be sure they don't bottom out on the caliper or drum before they bottom on the taper and hold the wheel tight to the caliper/drum.

[Woodnears]

Those look like the ones I had on there they were too small

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by Woodnears

Those look like the ones I had on there they were too small

See the edit I added above.

The hole is the same size, but since they use a 1" socket I'd think the taper would be "longer". and have a longer "land" area. Not sure of the actual technical terms,hence the quotes.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by Woodnears

The 1/2 inch lug nuts seat much better in the wheel.

never mind

[russgoodman]

You want the hole smaller than the knurl (obviously) by around 0.008 inches. So 0.522 inches or so. If that is too tight, you can make a pass with a carbide bit or the like attached to a die grinder. I just changed the studs on my Buick and I measured the hole at 0.55 inches and the knurl I used was 0.558 inches. And obviously it is better to drill the hole too small and open it up a little bit at a time versus drilling it too big to begin with.

My PO of the Buick tack welded the studs to the axle, so that's been a joy to correct. So it could be worse!

[Woodnears]

I'd feel more comfortable using the right size studs. These wheels are heavy and may add a little more stress on the studs. If I remember correctly the knurl measured .535 on the new studs I grabbed. 17/32 or 33/64 hole should be right about what I need, now I just have to find a drill bit good enough to drill all these holes.

[russgoodman]

Originally Posted by Woodnears

I'd feel more comfortable using the right size studs. These wheels are heavy and may add a little more stress on the studs. If I remember correctly the knurl measured .535 on the new studs I grabbed. 17/32 or 33/64 hole should be right about what I need, now I just have to find a drill bit good enough to drill all these holes.

If that's what the knurl measured I would aim for a bit that is about 0.527 or so inches. Measure those 2 bits with the calipers and see if either of them is close to that number. If you drill the hole out to the exact size of the knurl there will be nothing to "bite" into and they will just spin.

[Woodnears]

You think a 13 mm bit would work? I don't have my calipers at work but I think 13 should come out slightly larger then the 1/2 stud but smaller than the knurl. If not I'll have to go buy a one off drill bit.

[russgoodman]

Originally Posted by Woodnears

You think a 13 mm bit would work? I don't have my calipers at work but I think 13 should come out slightly larger then the 1/2 stud but smaller than the knurl. If not I'll have to go buy a one off drill bit.

I would measure it just to make sure. If its too big, you will either be hunting down new axles or bigger knurled studs.

[Woodnears]

I'm gonna borrow some metric bits from work and see if one of them will be close. What do you think the tolerance might be? .008 or so?

[russgoodman]

Originally Posted by Woodnears

I'm gonna borrow some metric bits from work and see if one of them will be close. What do you think the tolerance might be? .008 or so?

Yes, that is what worked for me and I also saw a reference to 0.009 on my Buick message board.