4 5/8 bolt pattern? what? help?

For all of the wheels with an even numbered set of studs they are center of one hole to the center of the opposite hole. On wheels with either 5 studs or 7 studs (OT Ford trucks), you would measure from the center of hole number one to an imaginary line that would be created by drawing an arc from hole number 3 and hole number 4.
The reason that this cant be measured from the center of one hole to the center of the next hole is that the difference in spacing between 5 x 4.50 and 5 x 4.75 would only be about 1/8", and therefore it would be that much harder to tell which is which without the proper tools.
The easiest way that I have found to measure a 5 hole wheel, is to go from the center of hole number 1 to the center of hole number 3 and than add 1/4" to the distance. This will work no matter what style of lugnuts are being used.
Brian

 

I found the most simple solution, go to a good store like a speed shop or tire store and get one of those plastic lug pattern jigs about $4.00. Not being a smart *** but after buying one there is no doubt, works like a charm , somewhere there is a site where you can download a pattern jig on your printer and then glue it on a thin piece of cardboard this will end the frustration LOL

 

Fomoco,

If the pattern is 5 holes on 4.5" diameter then a 4.5" circle will intersect the middle of all 5 holes, no mater how big the hole diameter is. The method for measuring from one to another skipping a hole is a way to do it on steel wheels with small holes since you don't have opposite holes. It falls apart a bit when you have shank nut holes with .68" and larger diameter.

I've probably been measuring bolt circle diameters correctly longer than you've known what a wheel was. I was just suggesting a simple way to do it without gathering up a bunch of parts. Re-examine what I said in my post.

Charlie

 

I never added any comment cause it was already stated that it was more than likely 4 1/2", and you explained it futher by stating the hole was larger than need for a 7/16" stud.

The ONLY reason for posting "the cute little diagram" is that from experinence alot of people are unsure how to correctly measure bolt patterens. I'm sure more than one person will find that helpfull.

Yea, it does not account for everything, like shanked holes, or bigger wheel studs, just a basic guide.

Watch someone measure a 5 on 4 1/4" (or meteric) wheel and let them look at you funny.

Sorry if the diagram offened anybody.

 

Just so you kids know there is a metric bolt pattern that is very close to the 5x4.5..(dunno the metric number!????? Lexus ?) i know cuz i used this simple tape method to measure in the field at a swapmmeet on new wire spoke wheels.... .. Really bummed me out after dismounting and mounting new tires ..when it would not let any lug nuts go on after the first nut was pput on.
It pulled the edges of the holes tight along side the remaining studs.

Basicly the hole size was to small

was tempted to redrill but costs were as high as the wheels ..


Buyer beware!

I have carried a quick stud to stud center measure in my wallet for 35 years printed on a card from a wheel catolog...


Now the plastic circle id is used with all wheel purchases

 

Shhhhhhhh...

 

This is how a 5-lug pattern is measured - the diameter of an imaginary circle that intersects the center of each lug/hole. The guys who said to cut out circles and hold them up to the wheel are right on.

 

Since no two holes are 180 degrees apart a good rule of thumb on a five lug wheel is measure from the center of one hole, skip the next, and then to the center of the third hole, and add 1/4 inch. You can also use the edges of the holes like you did. Thus your 4-1/4 inch dimension would be a 4-1/2 inch bolt circle.

 

What was the best thing before sliced bread then

 

Oh duh.

You cannot measure the pattern for a 5 bolt wheel ACCURATELY using the edge of one hole to the center of another. The reason? Because the holes can be different sizes depending on the lug nut style used and the condition of the wheel. You MUST measure the circle through the center of the bolt holes in the wheel to get an ACCURATE measurement for a 5 hole pattern. Going from the outer edge of a hole to the center of another is close, but since there is only 1/4 of an inch between many wheel patterns, you're just as likely to be wrong or right using that approach.

FYI, you can buy the plastic bolt pattern templates at parts and/or tire stores. They may not stock them, but they can order them.

That being said, since the wheels look to use mag style lug nuts, they are probably larger than standard steel wheel bolt holes, and that would give you a larger measurement than you would probably get with a standard steel wheel. They are most likely a 4 1/2 inch pattern. But I wouldn't make book on it.

 

That only works on 4 lug, 6 lug and 8 lug, see below, this is correct

That should clear up his mystery and he has 5 on 4 1/2

 

The problem with the chart above is it does not include the literature that comes with it and should read as follows:
Measure from the CENTER on one hole to the BACK of the third hole.
This is the easiest and most accurate way to "Estimate" a 5-lug bolt circle.

Notice it says ESTIMATE.

I know this is an old thread, but I found it on a search (while trying to figure out my 4 5/8's wheel pattern) and thought I would
clear the air on the chart. I found the same chart on another site but fell to read the "estimate" word. But after reading this thread it sunk in.
So in ending I will from now on use the center to center plus 1/4.
Which = 4.5
Thanks, Tony

 

Aside from this being a 2 year old thread that you decided to bring up for your first post and not add any real information (not to mention not having done an intro as is requested by this forum - http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44274) the use of the word estimate as related to the chart is due to the fact that you are measuring in the middle of a hole, so you are eyeballing the center. It does not mean estimate as in "well, that's close enough". This an accurate way to figure out a bolt pattern and has been used for MANY years in the industry. Bolt patterns for older American cars (like we deal with on here) jump in 1/4" increments, so it's not like you need to get down to thousandths of an inch

 

The "measure from the center of one hole to the edge of one of the opposite one's" method is a RULE OF THUMB. It is not exact. It gets you close enough to make a guess. BUT. And it's a big BUT! But if the holes are bigger than about 9/16" or 5/8" the bigger diameter holes will effect the measurement. They look pretty big to me, so that is skewing your measurement. Knock a bit off to compensate for the oversize holes and you will be back at 4-1/2".

Remember it's just a guesstimate - just a happy coincidence that you can measure something that's not easily measureable.

Mart.

 

That's what I'm saying. These guys aren't looking to manufacture wheels, just figure out what the bolt pattern is on an existing wheel - and this is a plenty accurate way to measure for fitment of a wheel. We did it in the tire shop I worked in back int he 70's whenever someone misplaced the gauge set, and it worked fine to say "That's a 4 and 1/2, or that's a 4 3/4". this isn't rocket science, just a way to identify a wheel.

 

Dammit, who dug up this old thread? I replied to it not realising I had already replied ages ago!!

Reckon they're still 4-1/2"!!!

Mart.

 

kkkkhrist not another engineer,always over anylizing everything.its ok to think simple some times.we have a school for rocket "engineers" here,always doin that.its funny to watch them just go crazy over the most simple repairs on vehicles.oh by the way those bolt pattern checkers are less than 10.00 at a swap meet.just think youll never lose sleep again worrying about 4 5/8 bolt patterns.

 

What the HELL. Guy joins 5 years ago, and waits 5 years to make his FIRST post on a pointless 2 year old thread? I do believe the world will end today. It has to.

 

I havent read the entire thread responses, Im going with 5 on 4.5 B.C.

unless its a newer wheel , and that, it doesnt look to be

 

This is the way to measure. But it is just a close approximation that works. The bolt pattern is actually measured from the diamater of a circle that intersects the center of the bolt holes or studs. This trick just happens to work. It is not precise, but if you know the pattens, ie 5 x 5, 5 x 5.5, 5 x 4 3/4 and so on you can identify the wheels pattern. The pictured wheel has what appears to be 5/8" dia holes so the measurement will be slightly larger than say a stamped steel wheel which would have smaller dia holes so the measurement would be slightly less. I would bet money they will slide right on to a small ford or chrysler product hub 5 x 4.5 bolt circle.

And only here can you get Drama and 35 answers to the same question.

 

Another answer, cuz the statement above is wrong. The bolt pattern or circle is that - a CIRCLE. The bolt pattern is based on the diameter of the circle through the center of the bolts, and what you dscribed is a radius which would be 1/2 the bolt pattern. But thanks for playing

 

Those are 5 on 4.5. You are not taking into account that it is a mag and not a steel wheel. The raven has a set of radirs that he was measuring and said these won't fit anything. They measured exactly the same way as yours are measuring. I put a Ford rear up in a pair of jackstands and we put them right on it like they were made for it.

 

Hey Bub, your villiage called, they are missing thier idiot. I didn't piss in your cereal this morning, grow up or find a rat rod forum that needs another genius. Another snapper head added to the ignore list. TR

 

If you follow those directions for 5-lug rims you'll be about 1/4" off every time. I measured that way for a long time before I found out you measure them the same as 6 lug, 8 lug - it's a measure of diameter of the circle, you measure at the widest point, it doesn't matter that there's no hole on the other side. But as long as you know to add that 1/4" it's okay to do it that way.

 

Hell I'd pay you to piss in my cornflakes.

Didn't read the response, I am just too lazy, but I can't imagine that it was too deep for even the most uninformed to understand.

All this reminds me of a song, Welllll, may the bird of paradise fly up your nose, may an elephant caress you with his toes . . .

yea yea I know what does that have to do with the price of tea in China? Hell I dunno.

Hey trad while I am thinking about it are you comming to see me next month or what?

 

This is actually extremely simple. 4 9/32" / cos 18° = 4½".

 

Benno, you didn't wish me Happy Birthday, that's alright I was out of town for your Birthday. Always next year. I'm sicker than both my Bulldogs right now buddy, can't think that far ahead. Right about now, I hope I get to see ME tomorrow, TR

 

Oswald and Sirhan

 

Yup you got me on that one. I was thinking x 2 in my head, or dia. But I see that I said it wrong............ I don't suppose there is any consolation prize?..........