[7t4mula]

I recently bought a 4 wheel disc brake upgrade kit from Wilwood and didn't realize the front hubs they provided had 1/2" studs. Now I have 7/16 on original rear axle and of course a mixed bag on lug nuts!

How hard is it to convert to 1/2" studs also for back to match the front? Can these be drilled/reamed out on the car easy enough? Wish I would've realized this sooner when I had the rear out for rebuild and new gears! (of course)

Any recommendations on methods or stud manufacturers appreciated! Thx!

[Jay S]

For dirt track stock car racing I recall all the GM cars were required to run 1/2” studs. Many get converted while the hubs and axles were installed on the car. The biggest thing is to find the appropriate drill size for the stud used, then just drill it out. Then shim it and tighten it up to pull it through. Most of the time a drill size can be found that works, but a reamer can work too if it is a little tight.

[jwcfbd]

When I bought my wilwoods I had the same problem. I brought my axles to a shop to have them replace the studs and to my surprise all they did was ran a drill bit through the holes and pressed in the studs. I could have done that but was expecting to see them use a drill press or something other than a run of the mill cordless drill. Just get the right size bit which matches the studs and have at it. You're not stepping up the hole size that much so it's easy to keep the hole straight. I got all my studs and lug nuts at the local auto parts store.

[7t4mula]

Thanks guys this makes me feel a lot better about doing the job myself on the car. I'm a retired Tool & Die maker, so I should be able to drill some straight holes after 40+ years of that! LOL

I'll have to post some pics of the project once i have time. Its been a long time since I've been active here!

[Goatracer1]

If you have enough material after removing the old studs you can buy screw in 1/2 inch studs. I'm sure Summit has them.

[7t4mula]

That’s a good suggestion as well!
With the tap drill size for a ½-20 being 29/64 (.453”) there should be enough material I’d hope.

Once I get the car back from body/paint I’ll knock the studs out and see what I can do there! 👍🏻

[7t4mula]

So finally getting around to managing this conversion. I ordered a set of Willwood 1/2 20 threaded studs from Summit and they should be here today.

Once I hammered out the 7/16” pressed in studs, it was quite easy to power tap the half-inch thread. Whole size was already perfect for that size thread!

I will update with another picture once I get the assembly together today or tomorrow hopefully! Sorry, couldn’t figure out how to rotate the picture here!

[7t4mula]

Finally finished this project… wrong bolts were delivered the first time. Even with these, (1/4 inch shorter) I did have to grind off approximately 1/16 of an inch off the head in order to get them inserted behind the axle flange.

Was able to use a 13 mm ratcheting wrench to tighten that torx head down against locknut and have Loctite applied also to hold in place. Attaching picture of the product box to in case anyone else wants to follow suit on this project.

Looks nice finished up, now it’s time to measure up for some tires and rims!