Can Trailer Wheel with Larger Center Pilot Hole be Used on Hub that Uses Wheel Bolts, Not Lug Nuts

Updated 04/14/2014 | Published 04/12/2014

Question:

i bought new rims and tires to put on trailer. the pilot hole on the white steel rim is bigger, but all of the bolt holes line up and the rim is mounted with bolts that go threw the rim into the hub. It lines up fine and tightens down fine to the specified torque. So is this ok??

asked by: Randy L

Expert Reply:

Actually, no, this is not going to work for you. The problem is that on wheels and hubs that use wheel bolts instead of lug nuts to secure the wheel to the hub, the pilot hole has to be exact because that is how it centers on the hub.

Even if it looks like it is all lined up properly it could still be off a little bit because of the larger pilot hole. This will cause some wobbling and lead to tracking problems and premature tire and suspension wear.

If you can tell me what the pilot hole diameter needs to be by measuring the pilot hole of the old wheels of diameter of the hub where the wheel sits I can determine if we have something that is going to work.

If we do not have a wheel that is going to work then the only other option is to replace the hubs. To do that I would need to know the inner and outer bearing numbers stamped into the metal of the bearings.

expert reply by: Michael H