Wheels won't fit hub...help

[buon77]

Hi guys,

I just picked up a set of winter tires from a friend for my dad - 195/60/15 with a 4-bolt pattern - he's got a cobalt and the tires/rims came off a Honda Civic. Here's the problem - when trying to mount the tires, they wouldn't fit the hub!!! WTF. I did find out that the centre hub of the Cobalt is 57.1mm, while the centre core of the rims is 56.1mm. would I be able to take the rims into a mechanic or tire specialty garage and have them core the 1mm difference??? The tires are in great condition, with only 1000km on them, so I'd rather not get rid of them.

Any help would be great...THANKS.

[stevenma188]

You will need to find a machine shop to bore out the center opening for you.

[S.F.W.]

Aside from the centre hub core issue. You need 5 bolt rims. Mazda uses 5 bolts not 4. The rims won't fit

[S.F.W.]

Also, you have a GT, 15" rims won't clear the calipers. You need at least 16" rims. As well as per post above, they need to be 5 bolt.

[stevenma188]

I think the OP was asking about rims for his friend's Cobalt.

[buon77]

That's right. I picked up tires for my dad who has a Cobalt. I already have winters for my MZ3.

[S.F.W.]

my mistake, did not read the OP properly.

[TheMAN]

I think you're better off posting on the cobalt forums instead of here... the likelihood of anyone knowing about those cars is very low here
I personally think it's inappropriate to ask help about a non-mazda3 on a mazda3 forum

[buon77]

I'm an MZ3 member myself. I'm sorry for asking a general car question - I didn't think it would have been a problem - it's an issue that could happen on MZ3s as well. But thanks to those who had something positive to add.

[Shawn]

Steel or aluminum? Taking 1mm out of centre on the steel will significantly weaken the rim.

[-cj-]

It's far less hassle to just buy steelies that fit and sell the wheels to a Civic owner. Try to find used steelies online...

[buon77]

they're steelies - I was thinking the same thing and just buying new fitting steelies - tried looking online but no one really knows the diameter of the centre core of the rims when they post. So I'm thinking of getting universal fit rims for the tires...

[TheMAN]

I'm an MZ3 member myself. I'm sorry for asking a general car question - I didn't think it would have been a problem - it's an issue that could happen on MZ3s as well. But thanks to those who had something positive to add.

I understand you are an mz3 owner, but the problem is, you're asking about something unique and specific to a car which most of us are not familiar with. Unless there's a cobalt owner here who's also familiar with it, you're out of luck.
What you are trying to imply is that wheels are wheels, but they are not unfortunately, just like cars aren't just cars. If it were, we all will still be driving the same black cars made by the blue oval.

it's like the old saying about comparing apples to orange... same logic applies here.
don't take this as negativity, I'm just being realistic



as for machining any wheels, the cost incurred doing so will be more than what is worth of those wheels/tires
a garage won't be able to do this precise machining... it will be done by a machine shop which costs a lot for labour

[SonicBoy]

Tire Mag in Concord (HW7/Keele) does cutom machining of wheel bores and bolt patterns.

http://www.tiremag.ca/index.htm

[stevenma188]

Ya, didn't know you were referring to steelies. Probably not a good idea to bore out steelies....IMHO

[Pokey]

Call the wheel wizards (http://wheelwizards.ca/) in Hamilton. As someone who deals with wheels everyday.....

[Aitch]

I think you're better off posting on the cobalt forums instead of here... the likelihood of anyone knowing about those cars is very low here
I personally think it's inappropriate to ask help about a non-mazda3 on a mazda3 forum

Its a general car tech question, simply asking about enlarging the center bore of a set of wheels. This is a Mazda-based car forum but there's nothing wrong with asking general car tech questions.

Hell I'll be in the same boat in a few weeks, have to find a place to do the same thing.

[blackm3]

buy new or used rims at the scrapper, i wouldn't take the chance with it, plus if the rim is hub-centric then you will be weakening it and it might be out of balance(round) as well. also by the time you bore them out, the cost might be the same as buying new. it like 50 - 60 a rim, used might 25 - 40

[buon77]

thanks for all the input - i'm already in the process of looking into new/used steelies for the wheels. i did catch a you tube clip of one guy who bored his own rims with a router. took the guy a few seconds but i wouldn't want to chance it!!!!

and thanks aitch for the support!!!

[Aitch]

and thanks aitch for the support!!!

No problem. I also understand the cost/benefit ratio is fairly high when dealing with steelies, but in many situations I don't think an ~1mm bore-out is really much of a structural issue if its done properly by someone experienced with wheels. Like I said I'll be doing it soon.... can't reveal details about why though :huge smile

[gallipd001]

I think you're better off posting on the cobalt forums instead of here... the likelihood of anyone knowing about those cars is very low here
I personally think it's inappropriate to ask help about a non-mazda3 on a mazda3 forum

It's a legitimate questions in my opinion - I mean what better place to ask than a car forum filled with knowledgable guys? I personally think its inappropriate to crap on his thread... but hey what do i know...:P

[mazdilla]

:pop