Hello,


As title really, i want to drill a hole say 3mm and insert a 4mm screw or something similar. This will be near the middle of the alloy, well in between where you bolt it on.

Cheers.

 

I Wouldn't,

 

To fix some sort of centre cap?

Some alloys have holes for that so it would be O.k

 

Yeah i wanna screw a centre cap in but there is no hole for it, i didnt know if i could drill a hole and screw it in to stop thefts?

 

Ive got a set of alloys that have centre caps screwed on.
Theres 3 m6 bolts holdin them on in a triangle.
I would say its fine if theres enough meat there.
If you only do 1 then you need to balance the wheels after tho.

 

Well after hearing everybody say there centre caps go missing on the fiesta ST made me think what can be done? Other's silicone them in or glue and put there car number plates and names on the back but people can still take them, Just a screw drilled though would stop them i think, well for a while anyway.

Just a simple screwdriver could remove it but theft's normally dont carry a set of screwdrivers (well a flat headed one) I could put say a allen key sort in.

It would be in between the nuts here.

 

something like this?

 

i have done that before never had any problems i used a small allen bolt

 

Surry_100e:

Well it wont look as good as that but just a black screw, i dont think you will see it very well.

Gouch1:

You have drilled a alloy and put a screw in? I just wanted to put a screw in slightly bigger than the hole so it self taps itself.

 

I'd be tempted to drill and tap the head of the locking nut, save damaging the wheel

 

i was thinking something along the lines of that one too, good idea.

 

It's 100% fine. If you look in the wheels for sale page I did just this to a set of fiesta St wheels.

Never lost another cap. Drilled and tapped a m5 whole and used m5 counter sunk bolts.

 

There not missing, they just aren't with the original owner;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ford-focus...#ht_500wt_1023

 

yes ive done it, ive used both threaded holes with a tap and a clinchnut (thread insert) banged into a hole 1/2 mm that the nut (thread insert is far superior)
never had to balance just like ive never balanced a wheel because ive lost a centre cap (the centre and the bolt will be elsewhere when its on the machine anyways so the gram or 2 of alu wont make any odds) then a good sized bolt with a wide top otherwise a tug will have teh cap gone ether its got a bolt in ot not, i like these but stainless
http://s7g3.scene7.com/is/image/ae235?$p$&layer=0&size=281,281&layer=1&size=281,28 1&src=ae235/64094_P
biut security bolts and cooler and with a good sized head wont be pulled over (st centre caps are plastic aint they?)

 

these ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M6-x-20-ST...item2302928274

 

Thats great! I knew i could not be the only one who has thought of this! Have you got a picture of the alloy without the cap on?

Better stock up now lol.

 

I think i got a little lost here, Ive never seen a "clichnut"?

Have you got any pictures of said work done? Yeah the st centres are plastic.

 

its a thread insert, you make the hole (like in a wall) put in the threaded bit and the bolt will go into it, its a very good fitting

http://2.imimg.com/data2/MG/QO/MY-51...cv-250x250.jpg

like that but i like the others with rifleing to the outside endge to fit it really tight

 

Might be a good thing to do! I think ive got to have a look and suss out the situation.

 

My wheels sold but if you look in the wheels for sale section / St fiesta wheels. There's pictures on there mate.

 

I still have not done anything about this! The plan is to drill and put my own thread into the alloy then just insert a screw. Seems simple. Ill upload pictures when ive done it.

 

I must do this i'm fucking sick of buying center caps for my ST.

 

Im not the only mad person! Ive never had mine taken but i know it will happen! Also i want to put cable ties on my jack covers!

 

This is probably the best suggestion as aluminium is well known for threads stripping especially on threads that are likely to be used frequently as it is so soft, at least the wheel nut would be steel and take a good thread. Clinch fasteners are usually used with sheet metal applications so not really suitable in this instance. If you must have the thread in the alloy these inserts would be the best solution as the thread that will take the screw will be stronger than an aluminium thread and unlikely to strip.

http://www.harrisonsilverdale.com/fa...7/HPI/108.html

 

I was only talking to my old man about this with regards to my TSW Imolas.

Only thing is with them the bloody great nut that holds the centre cap on, I'm liking the thoughts and answers here

Nice one chaps