Wheel stud drilling fixture? replace studs
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Wheel stud drilling fixture? replace studs
I am looking to replace my stock 7/16-20 wheel studs with larger 1/2-20 by 3" wheel studs. To do this I will need to redrill my hubs to fit the 1/2" studs. Does anyone have a fixture or tool that will make this drilling absolutely accurate??
Can anyone post some pictures or dimensions?
Anyone want to lend me the tool and I will pay for shipping + security deposit + 12 pack?
Or can I buy a copy of this tool from anyone?
Here is Norvals description of the tool:
Can anyone post some pictures or dimensions?
Anyone want to lend me the tool and I will pay for shipping + security deposit + 12 pack?
Or can I buy a copy of this tool from anyone?
Here is Norvals description of the tool:
I did them on the car BUT I made a drilling fixture, one that self centered on the original hole, you knocked the old stud out, put the pilot in the hole, slid the fixture over the pilot and clamped it to the wheel. You then took the drill bit and the fixture guided it straight and true for redrilling to the larger knurl size.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 40
From: Swansea IL
Drill Press
To drill the axles/rotors for 1/2 wheel studs, I just threw the axles up on a drill press table.
The studs had a serrated segment on the shank so make sure that you select a drill that is a little undersized (measure with a dial caliper) so that the serrated section has some metal on the axle to bite into.
The drill will follow the existing hole, so should not be a problem there.
If you are thinking about drilling them free hand, make sure you use a slow turning 1/2" drill with oil or lube and that the drill has a bubble level on the back. Place the axle on some good wood blocks as they will help keep the axle from turning. Level the axle flange. The hole needs to be straight so that the holes line up on your wheels.
Before you install the studs. Get the axle up to the wheel and pull the new studs into contact with the axle with the lug nuts. The lugs will be started straight that way.
Good luck.
Bob
The studs had a serrated segment on the shank so make sure that you select a drill that is a little undersized (measure with a dial caliper) so that the serrated section has some metal on the axle to bite into.
The drill will follow the existing hole, so should not be a problem there.
If you are thinking about drilling them free hand, make sure you use a slow turning 1/2" drill with oil or lube and that the drill has a bubble level on the back. Place the axle on some good wood blocks as they will help keep the axle from turning. Level the axle flange. The hole needs to be straight so that the holes line up on your wheels.
Before you install the studs. Get the axle up to the wheel and pull the new studs into contact with the axle with the lug nuts. The lugs will be started straight that way.
Good luck.
Bob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
here's the old thread with Norvalwilhelm's photos:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...2F2+inch+studs
Great idea and a very nice tool
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...2F2+inch+studs
Great idea and a very nice tool
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Sweet, thanks guys.
Norval, were you trying to shed some weight by going from 1/2 to 7/16th studs? haha Don't tell Panic that!
Anyone want to let me borrow that jig?
Paging BATSY!!
Norval, were you trying to shed some weight by going from 1/2 to 7/16th studs? haha Don't tell Panic that!
Anyone want to let me borrow that jig?
Paging BATSY!!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Depends on your wheels. I went to the bigger studs precisely because my wheels aren't hub-centric.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
It's true that the original hole will center the bit for the boring...but care must be taken not to round it out too much.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
If you are out with even a few of the studs the rotor will no longer slide over the studs without excessively openning up the holes.
No you can not afford to free drill and just hope that you are getting 90 degree holes.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: South of GR MI
The problem is drilling it at 90 degrees to the surface. It is a tight fit and if you are off even 1 degree the new stud will press in on this off angle. 1 degree at the base can mean alot out 3 inches.
If you are out with even a few of the studs the rotor will no longer slide over the studs without excessively openning up the holes.
No you can not afford to free drill and just hope that you are getting 90 degree holes.
If you are out with even a few of the studs the rotor will no longer slide over the studs without excessively openning up the holes.
No you can not afford to free drill and just hope that you are getting 90 degree holes.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
If you go to slide a rotor on over crooked studs it will not go. If your mags have the shanks on the lug nuts they will not go. Everything must be striaght. Hand drilling without a guide is a crap shoot and all of us have precision drilled rotors. They will not tolerate out of aligned studs.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Once you have the ability to precision drill your hubs, what the best 1/2" drill bit to use? what kind of lubricating oil works best and won't affect the PB or brakes if some drips on?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
I've successfully done the crap shoot on my front hubs.... 
... I drilled 15/32", that's 11.90mm for metric M12 studs.
When I pulled the new studs in place I used a thick parallel washer, I am convinced that I pulled the studs 90 degrees to the mounting surface. It was a nice tight fit and it took a little to pull the knurl into the hole.
Still.... I prefer to use a guide like Norval's when I drill the rear hubs - next time I might not be that lucky
... I drilled 15/32", that's 11.90mm for metric M12 studs. When I pulled the new studs in place I used a thick parallel washer, I am convinced that I pulled the studs 90 degrees to the mounting surface. It was a nice tight fit and it took a little to pull the knurl into the hole.
Still.... I prefer to use a guide like Norval's when I drill the rear hubs - next time I might not be that lucky