help! can you redrill a new bolt pattern?

[redforcedbmw]

i have 2 ssr comps 5x120, and i was wondering if a machine shop could safely redrill 4x114.3 without comprimising the strength of the rim.
thanks

[HBpredhunter]

id doubt it.

[Mitch]

There would most certainly be overlapping of the holes. No chance in hell I'd put those on my car.

[franka]

Do not do it. The wheel hub strength will be seriously compromised. I can't assure you they will break but it would be a dangerous move.

[burger]

Actually, I have seen this done before. You will need to have someone who is really good with filling the holes and have them all redrilled. I would not recommend it. It does compromise the integrity of the metal.

So, it can be done, just not "safely"

[burger]

No, you are wrong! :P

[BMWdisease]

It can be done. You’re reducing the diameter of the bolts circle by less than 6 mm, or less than 3 mm per lug. I’ve done it with “shoulder bolt” type of lug bolts, that also require a new “spot face” - simple machine work. A beveled lug/wheel hub interface is a different matter. I’m sure it compromises strength to some minor degree, but mine aren’t track wheels - that are pushed to limits street wheels will never see. Mine aren’t even hub centric either.
There was a time when wheel makers made uni-lug wheels. Ford, GM and MOPAR all had either 4.5” or 5” bolt circles, so the lugholes were elongate – but they were designed that way.
It can be done.

[burger]

Ok, just to play devil's advocate. If the back of your wheels looks like this-

http://guidetodetailing.com/article_images/Wheel%20Back.jpg

It is not "simple machine work"

Especially if going from a 5 lug to 4 lug pattern. I don't know what the back of SSR Comps look like, though.

[franka]

Anything can be done. But to do it right you need the right wheel to start with and a lot of work. By that time it's not worth the effort.

Welding the old holes closed can easily warp the mounting face requiring resurfacing to bring them true to the CL but more important than that welding crystalizes the local grain making the mounting surface very brittle. That's not good. You could have the wheels annealed but that is more expense and can also result in a slightly warped wheel.

Street wheels can see as much load as a track wheel so I don't agree that you can make a distinction. Think pot hole.

[BMWdisease]

My bad...Sorry. I didn't read carefully enough, and missed the 5 lug to 4; that WILL be VERY difficult, and not worth the effort.