Steel + Aluminum ok?

[Horst]

Wheel adapters - 2 different bolt circles (120 mm vs 115mm) 1" thick - Questions. 1) 6061 strong enough 2) Steel studs into aluminum ok? - no corrosion problems? - anodizing necessary? Generally speaking this whole concept seems like it might not be safe. Am I being paranoid? Thanks all

[Oldbrock]

Not paranoid. you will get inter galvanic corrosion

[Horst]

Not paranoid. you will get inter galvanic corrosion

any way to mitigate? Will anodizing eliminate problem?

[Oldbrock]

Zinc plated studs is cheaper. Peter

[kd4gij]

I would not use 6061. I would use at least 7075 T6 much stronger.

[ikdor]

I would use thread inserts so they can corrode to the aluminium and the thread won't wear with use. Helicoil or any of the other brands.

I would only use 7075 if I didn't have to pay for it myself
(or if you couldn't engineer enough strength into the size restrictions...)

Igor

[vpt]

Just buy the right wheels for the car?

I wouldn't worry about corrosion as much as concentric hubs, cracking, loosening bolts/studs, and excess bearing "off center" load.

[justanengineer]

I wouldn't worry about corrosion as much as concentric hubs, cracking, loosening bolts/studs, and excess bearing "off center" load.

+1. For liability's sake I would spend the $100 rather than potentially being held liable for the rest of my natural life.

[kd4gij]

I would only use 7075 if I didn't have to pay for it myself
(or if you couldn't engineer enough strength into the size restrictions...)

Igor

For the op's App you have to ask your self " What's your loved ones life worth " 6061 would never hold up. That said yes the material will most likeley cost more than the addaptor plates he needs.

[Horst]

For the op's App you have to ask your self " What's your loved ones life worth " 6061 would never hold up. That said yes the material will most likeley cost more than the addaptor plates he needs.

Your qualified help is greatly appreciated and I thank you, but I need to know; is this an opinion or can you say this with authority? Have you seen a failure? Do you really know the stresses involved. You make this statement without knowing whether the wheels in question are driven or not (or even for a small trailer).

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but if what you say is really true I would do my best to dissuade my friend from continuing with this project.

I do not have this knowledge (that is why I posted) but if I am going to follow your directions I need to know that you really know what you are talking about. Thanks again; all of you.

[dfw5914]

There really is not enough information given for an authoritative answer. A good drawing would help.
Certain words and phrases really set off the liability alarms, "wheel adapter" is near the top of the list.
Historically, wheel adapters have earned a well deserved bad reputation. Primarily due to a few really poorly designed, cheaply manufactured, and haphazardly employed products.

Depending on the very specific application, a well engineered part could almost certainly be made from 6061. There certainly are better materials, usually it's just a matter of what's available.

Corrosion is fairly easily addressed by selective plating/anodizing and/or something high tech like... paint.

Just do a search for "wheel adapter" on ebay for examples.

[garagemark]

I cannot see how anyone can give a definitive answer to this inquiry without knowing the SPECIFIC application. If the OP is building a kiddie go-cart, his material choice might be fine. If a high speed automobile... maybe a different answer. You might be able to address the possible corrosion issue, but without knowing loadings and/or stresses, I would make no statements as to a particular material suitability.

To the OP: care to elaborate? You may get more and better informed answers.

Mark

[Horst]

I'm sorry, I don't know how to post pictures and can't take the time to figure it out right now. I really need to do that though.

The adapters will be on the rear of an older turbocharged Supra (front wheel drive, I think). Two 5 bolt patterns of 120mm & 114.3mm. The adapter must be thick enough to cover the lug nuts for the 114.3 bolts. The material he has is about 1.5" thick, 6061 8" flat bar.

I figured to bore the holes on the Bridgeport (freshly scraped) and I feel confident in my ability to coach him sufficiently so as to locate the holes within a thou (or 2). The flat bar will then be made round (lathe + fixture or mill + rotary table). We will have to see if the two faces of the flat stock are parallel. If not, then fly cut. The studs will be purchased, are like T-nuts, and are pressed in.

So that's the deal. I am very interested in what you all have to say. Thank you.

[kd4gij]

That is a high performance sports car RWD. I can tell you that Wheel adapters are not alowed at eny race track. And yes I did crack a 7075 wheel adapter an a 66 vw beatle with just over size carbs. thay where 1" thick. Do what you wan't but I would never put them on a car like that. But that is just my 2cents worth.

[Boostinjdm]

I thought all supras were RWD?