Wheel bolt to stud conversion?

[Gearheart]

Having grown up with VW's I have acquired a strong aversion to wheel bolts. Is it possible to convert my hubs / brake drums to studs and nuts? Makes installing the wheels much simpler.

[overlander63]

You can, but it's not very easy. You'd have to machine a larger hole for the shoulders of the studs in order to ensure the stud won't foul the brake magnet. You would also need to drill out the threaded holes for the bolts. The easiest part would probably be sourcing correct length and type studs.
Plan B would be to find a set of drums with studs already installed.

[adonh]

Originally Posted by Gearheart

Having grown up with VW's I have acquired a strong aversion to wheel bolts. Is it possible to convert my hubs / brake drums to studs and nuts? Makes installing the wheels much simpler.

Yes you can by using Wheel Studs Replacement Wheel Stud, Screw-In, 1/2" x 2" Redline Accessories and Parts 25-53. I did this back in 2008 when I replaced the old 15" rims on my 1976 31' Sovereign with 16" aluminum wheels and tires. Here is the thread I started at that time on the change over.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f465...tml#post561838

Post 24 has a picture of the old Airstream hub with the wheel studs installed. I used lock tite on the threaded portion that screwed in to the hub and then mounted the wheel chrome lug nuts. I never had a problem with them at all. In 2010 I replaced the old original axels with new axles and hubs that came equipped with studs.

[Savage68]

When I upgraded LaTortuga with new axles, the new drums had nuts to replace the old bolts, which were original.

[bwoodtx]

I just bought a new hub from Southwest Wheel in San Antonio. It was a Dexter replacement 10" hub & drum w/studs and a bearing kit-cups already installed. $69.00 Total. I would think you could find this at any Dexter Distributor.