WTF is wrong with Lug Patterns and Standards

"Hans Kuiper" (hanschepuve) 04/29/2015 at 21:54 • Filed to: None

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Today I was searching some rims for a friends Neon, and was settled for a size of something like a 16x8 or 16x9, guess what: Mission Impossible, how comes there are SO MANY bolt patterns? in this day and age?

Hell, trying to find something in those sizes and bolt pattern is hell.

Then started reading about how manufacturers do their best effort in making things complicated, how a modern WRX has a 5x100 pattern and the STI has a 5x114.3, how some old mustangs came with 4 Lug rims, how the Focus ST has a 4x108 pattern.

Dem Fiats with their 4x98, HELL even the Miata that came with 4x100 up until the NC which came with 5 lug, and apparently the ND is coming with 4 Lugs again.

Not to mention those 8 Lug Pontiacs.

I know there has to be a reason different lug patterns are needed, like 4, 5, 6, 8 lugs BUT then, why is it so necessary to have *sub patterns* why not make all the 4 bolts same size, all 5 lugs, etc.

Am I the only one that thinks that wheel bolt patterns are in serious need of standardization?

jkm7680 > Hans Kuiper 04/29/2015 at 21:56

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It’s annoying as fuck.

http://www.wheel-size.com/pcd/

Nibbles > Hans Kuiper 04/29/2015 at 21:56

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Those 8-lug Pontiacs are cool, what with the drum being part of the wheel

Boxer_4 > Hans Kuiper 04/29/2015 at 21:57

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The new WRX shares the same 5X114.3 pattern with the STI.

I agree, the lack of standardization is a bit ridiculous.

Jcarr > Hans Kuiper 04/29/2015 at 21:57

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It is annoying. VW decided in 2005 that the Jetta needed to switch from 5x100 to 5x112....because.

I recently got new wheels for my 2004 Envoy and I had a heck of a time finding many options even in the OEM size.

Hans Kuiper > Jcarr 04/29/2015 at 22:02

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That’s my point, WHY in lords name there isn’t some kind of standard. I need someone to explain what’s the point of it, not the Lug count, but the separation between those and all that jazz.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Hans Kuiper 04/29/2015 at 22:02

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And naturally every contemporary Chrysler product besides the Neon was 5x4.5”.

Yeah, 5x100 is not a common one. The only companies that really used it regularly are Subaru and Volkswagen, and I think they’re both no longer doing so.

Hans Kuiper > Boxer_4 04/29/2015 at 22:04

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Thats why I said, newer, I wasn’t sure what year but come on, let the WRX owners enjoy some STI goodies, at least in that MY.

bob and john > Hans Kuiper 04/29/2015 at 22:04

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no, i agree. I always thought that was one of the most moronic things on cars these days .we can agree on the codes for OBD2, but not bolt patterns?!?! FFS

Hans Kuiper > Nibbles 04/29/2015 at 22:04

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They look cool, but looks impractical to me, specially with disc brakes becoming the norm (at least in the front wheels).

Hans Kuiper > bob and john 04/29/2015 at 22:09

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Yes, moronic, couldn’t have defined it better.

Your boy, BJR > Hans Kuiper 04/29/2015 at 22:13

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Those 8 lug pontiacs are fucking SEXY

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Hans Kuiper 04/29/2015 at 22:14

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Funny you mention the Focus ST. Because those rims fit my 1991 Taurus SHO. No didn’t steal them, the junk yard had one. Wish they had a set.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Hans Kuiper 04/29/2015 at 22:17

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Then there is hub centric vs lug centric wheels, apparently my mazda 3 is hub centric so the cheap alloys that my snow tires are on have a $20 plastic insert kit that makes them center on the hub, otherwise look out boss there is major wheel vibration. These cheap rims have two drill patterns so they can fit different cars.

MIATAAAA > Hans Kuiper 04/29/2015 at 22:49

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This should be the solution. Central locking wheels. Yesssssssssssss.

Hans Kuiper > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 04/29/2015 at 22:53

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also read something about that, but quite didn’t understand how does that work.

How come they manage to complicate it that much? jeez.

chuck07 > Hans Kuiper 04/29/2015 at 23:12

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Damn 4x98s. You can only find OEM fiats or expensive Roto knockoffs.

Birddog > Hans Kuiper 04/30/2015 at 00:08

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Standardization? Quit that crazy talk right now.

Do you know how many wheel hub Engineers that would put out of work? Huh? It’s bad enough that the Ford Truck 7 lug wheel guy got the axe and you want more?

Do you really want to take food off of those families plates?

You’re sick!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Hans Kuiper 04/30/2015 at 00:54

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Ford has used 4x108 for a long time. Those old Mustangs are 4x108, I bought some Escort wheels for my Civic once, turned out they didn’t fit, they were 4x108. if I remember right Jaguar, Volvo, and some Ford’s use 5x108s

pip bip - choose Corrour > Hans Kuiper 04/30/2015 at 05:29

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why no love for the Frenchies with 3 studs.

Hans Kuiper > Birddog 04/30/2015 at 08:29

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I’m bad and I should feel bad ... but I don’t lol

Hans Kuiper > pip bip - choose Corrour 04/30/2015 at 08:31

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Forgot to mention those, even when I had to live with some of those, some Brazilian Fords came with 3 Lug bolt patters, such as the ford “Del Rey”.

BigBlock440 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 04/30/2015 at 08:51

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5x4.5 is 5x114.3, not 5x100

CelicaGTO > Hans Kuiper 04/30/2015 at 14:25

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There are some standards out there for certain subgenres of cars though:

Most vintage Japanese cars ran a 4x114.3 lug pattern up until the late 80s, with the only thing preventing toyota and nissan wheels from being interchangable being hubcentric vs lugcentric.

For example: this s12 silvia running Mk2 Supra rims

Jedidiah > Hans Kuiper 05/25/2015 at 12:33

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The 8 lug Pontiacs are cool as hell.

Buick used a different bolt pattern than the rest of GM for a while back in the day.

jcn-txct > Hans Kuiper 05/29/2015 at 22:01

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My apologies if someone already mentioned this but the only reason I can see why an auto maker would not go to an industry standard of lug or hub measurements is the short time-frame window of exclusive authorized dealer sales of the various wheel packages. After that window the after market wheel companies can start getting their share of money from the automotive pie.

Inktownlegend > Hans Kuiper 05/31/2015 at 04:54

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It sucks when you want to buy some used rims but in my experience we are better off with the different bolt patterns and offsets because it reduces the odds of someone stealing your rims and you can get what fits/looks best for your car.