the centerhole on the M/T rims i have is bored bigger than the hub on my truck.. i got a 12 valve 94 ram. is this something to worry about? will my lugs eventually snap?

 

Our hubs are not "hub centric". In other words, you'll be fine. Just torque the lug nuts to the proper value, and re-check them after running a bit -- especially important with aluminum wheels!

I thought the question was going to be the other way around, i.e., the wheels had too small a hub center. I'm getting ready to install a set of Hummer H2 wheels on mine and they have that problem. A quick pass around the center hole with a carbide router (usually used for wood!) will cure that problem and save the cost of a machine shop.

 

Can you post before and after pics? A buddy did his with a die grinder - it didnt turn out that great.

 

Use a router with a follow bit on it. They have two ledges, You want to widen them to the larger of the two ledges.

 

Thats just it - Im not too familiar with routers

 

A router has a guide bearing (not sure if that is the proper term) on it...you can't cut any deeper than the bit allows. Hard to screw it up, as long as the bit has the correct depth/width of cut.

Die grinder has a mind of it's own...up to the operator to have a st-st-steady hand. Easy to make scrap metal out of valuable stuff, like wheels.

 

You need to use a 1/2" carbide router bit with a guide bearing.

Here is one that would work:


The guide bearing rolls around the wider lip just inside of the area being cut, controlling the depth of cut. The extra carbide flute lets it cut smoother -- more like a milling machine. Don't try to make the entire cut in one pass. Just barely touch it as you go around and around, and push the router against the direction of the cutter, not with it (one way will fly around easy, the other will give some back force as you push it). Test it on an old piece of wood or aluminum before you launch into your wheels!

Lots of guys are saying that this works great. The ones that are having problems are likely going too fast, using the wrong bit, or some other problem. Aluminum should route almost as good as wood if you don't wedge the bit into the metal. Jam it in there, and yes, it will chunk out a piece, just like any other tool. In my best Caddyshack imitation, <nananananana> "be the tool" <nananananana>

 

interesting. The Hummer wheels do look good, and are the right width

 

And are very available with all the H2 guys going to custom wheels.

That is, until the Dodge guys figure out how to use them... Then, like BHAF, prices will go to the moon.

 

the over sized bore is to allow fitment on different rigs. Either way, it's the conical side of the lug nut that is centering the rim on the hub. Use a criss-cross pattern drawing it down equally and enjoy your new M/T wheels.