Can 4 lug axles be drilled for 5 lug?

Topic: Can 4 lug axles be drilled for 5 lug? (Read 12322 times) previous topic - next topic

Can 4 lug axles be drilled for 5 lug?

Reply #15 – February 16, 2013, 08:59:49 AM

You would be pushing the stock axles pretty hard on a 500hp drag car even if they weren't hacked. Another thing to consider is that if the bolt circle isn't absolutely perfect its going to shake and vibrate at speed.

Can 4 lug axles be drilled for 5 lug?

Reply #16 – February 16, 2013, 11:15:25 AM

Quote from: Lightningbird;409462

I agree, holes are too close together to be considered safe. Get the ranger axles and quite being cheap.

That might be a good idea...if he was working on a Fox mustang.

Can 4 lug axles be drilled for 5 lug?

Reply #17 – February 17, 2013, 11:28:56 PM

Quote from: ThunderbirdSport302;409471

That might be a good idea...if he was working on a Fox mustang.

OK, 95 Mustang Axles, Strange, Moser and many other companies can offer off the shelf axles for whatever you are working on for $200 or less. Your life and cash ride directly on those axles. I do not care what you are working on. I know for a fact the holes are too close to be considered safe, I drilled a set of drums and decided to EFF that. Axles.....you are a braver man than I.

Can 4 lug axles be drilled for 5 lug?

Reply #18 – February 17, 2013, 11:31:00 PM

Aftermarket axles is the way to

Can 4 lug axles be drilled for 5 lug?

Reply #19 – February 18, 2013, 12:11:09 AM

Quote from: Lightningbird;409585

OK, 95 Mustang Axles, Strange, Moser and many other companies can offer off the shelf axles for whatever you are working on for $200 or less. Your life and cash ride directly on those axles. I do not care what you are working on. I know for a fact the holes are too close to be considered safe, I drilled a set of drums and decided to EFF that. Axles.....you are a braver man than I.

I've got SN95 axles in mine with a drum conversion, no discs for me. I didn't drill anything, just staed that it has been done by others. The OP wants to keep his TC rotors, but have 5 lug..provided he gets absolute center of the rotors, as well as machine the hub area out, he'd be ok, I think. At least if a rotor flies apart at high speed, you will still be able to maintain control.

Can 4 lug axles be drilled for 5 lug?

Reply #20 – February 18, 2013, 12:31:50 AM

Ok lets clear this up right now. Stock TC brakes on a 5 lug axle

I even make axles work that have the stock ABS TONE RING

You also need straight tapped holes on the mounting surface for my home made adapters. This can be dun with a good drill press and a Mandrell. He is a set i modified for the application. As far as drums go i never run them just me. Discs are 100% better and no big deal to setup with a little ingenuity and some mods.

Can 4 lug axles be drilled for 5 lug?

Reply #21 – February 18, 2013, 01:13:20 AM

Where did you source the rotors? I think that's the only piece the OP needs to complete his puzzle.....

As for me, I stayed drums with a little ingenuity and NO mods :)

If you've already got a disc rear car, then hell yes, it's easier to stay discs, same with drums. There's no way to swap discs into an '88 Sport without either modding something, OR replacing those few somethings with the necessary parts from a TC. Park brake cables being one, the brake line being another.

But yes, with a little work, it can be overcame. But it's not 100% plug and play. I've got a TC rear in mine, but elected to stay drum as I didn't want to change master cylinder, do the brake line modification, and pay out the ass for those expensive and often too-short-lived rear brake calipers. I'm not saying my way is better for everyone, but I don't hear myself bitching because I have ancient tech out back. Hell, it works.....that's all I ask of it. Someday when cash isn't such an obstacle, perhaps I'll have a nice Cobra/PBR setup..till then...I'm happy.

Can 4 lug axles be drilled for 5 lug?

Reply #22 – February 18, 2013, 09:49:05 AM

Tom, yes I am interested in the rotors that you used. I am thinking you must have used a larger diameter rotor than the stock TC and therefore you had to modifiy the mounting bracket. Is that correct?

Can 4 lug axles be drilled for 5 lug?

Reply #23 – February 18, 2013, 05:03:41 PM

I've got redrilled Axles.

I would have preferred proper 5 lug axles, however the complete lack of availability locally meant it would have costed significantly more to go down that route.

in saying that, my bird will likely never be used in a manner that will put huge strain on the axles, and i'd bet the diff itself would let go before the axles failed.
in the event i decide to upgrade Diff, i'll probably get something local modified to fit.

Can 4 lug axles be drilled for 5 lug?

Reply #24 – February 18, 2013, 06:05:40 PM

Quote from: EFFalcon;409628

I've got redrilled Axles.

I would have preferred proper 5 lug axles, however the complete lack of availability locally meant it would have costed significantly more to go down that route.

in saying that, my bird will likely never be used in a manner that will put huge strain on the axles, and i'd bet the diff itself would let go before the axles failed.
in the event i decide to upgrade Diff, i'll probably get something local modified to fit.

OK how did you accomplish this???? Curious.

Can 4 lug axles be drilled for 5 lug?

Reply #25 – February 18, 2013, 07:23:34 PM

The lugs only hold the tire against the hub. The hub should be a perfect fit and hold the weight of the car, in a perfect world. It wouldn't bother me personally to redrill the axels.

Can 4 lug axles be drilled for 5 lug?

Reply #26 – February 18, 2013, 10:56:06 PM

OK lets get sereyous about this once and for all. First unless you index the spacing dead nuts you are going to put the lugs in to side loads. For all that are interested lugs are not designed for side loads only clamping loads. Second i have plotted this and one hole must be welded up and drilled. If you do not have an indexing Bridgeport ETC you are playing with fire drilling an axle. And i have actually set up a test jig to see if it is feasible. IT IS NOT. If you are hell bent on doing this be my guest. So for under 150 Bucks a set of axles are available and why take the chance of a lug failure. For the life of me i cant believe anyone would chance this and feel safe with it. But i am not judging just my opinion on the subject.

Can 4 lug axles be drilled for 5 lug?

Reply #27 – February 19, 2013, 08:22:07 AM

I actually seen a guy who drilled ford bolt pattern on his chevy truck to run ford wheels that he scored for free, one of his rear wheels came of at a stop light and rolled down the road forever before it stopped. Yeah I can how stupid that could be, now imagine some kid who did this on his car and got the bright idea to see how fast he can go, vibration will make things come apart or fail if it occurs at the right frequency or resonance; hence people who can shatter a wine glass with their voice same idea. I see on my chainsaw cylinders once in awhile as well, it makes em fall apart for no apparent reason. If drilling out your axles seem great how come manufacturers didn't have cars with multi bolt patterns on their axles? This is like holding a firework in your hand and lighting it off, yeah you can do it, is it safe or smart, probably not.

Can 4 lug axles be drilled for 5 lug?

Reply #28 – February 19, 2013, 02:26:43 PM

Yeah, never heard of anyone running corvette or viper brakes or axles with a ford bolt pattern before. Or even running "universal" rims that are not hubecentric.

Is it the smartest thing to do, no. Does it happen everyday, yes. Hang out at a tire shop for an afternoon and see how many people have been driving around for thousands of miles with a busted off lug. I consider that to be more dangerous then a welded axle with the bolt pattern re drilled.

Can 4 lug axles be drilled for 5 lug?

Reply #29 – February 19, 2013, 09:56:55 PM

Tom Renzo...where did you get those rotors?
OP might be interested in that info, rather than everyone's opinions on someone's welding ability.