Explain bolt pattern please.

Discussion on wheel & tire issues
Post Reply
User avatar
Boingo
Posts: 65
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2022 12:58 am

Explain bolt pattern please.

Post by Boingo »

So I have read everywhere people saying over and over that the bolt pattern is 5 x 120(4.72). Is there a reason every single site that sells the stock 18x8 steel rims list them as 5 x 120.65(4.75) ?
I realize the larger pattern will work. Is everyone stating the smaller size because it is a more optimal fit ?
Far as I can tell all the caprice ppv years use the same size and run 14mm x 1.5 studs.
2011 Chevy Caprice
6.0
26k mile purchase
2nd owner
the voices say I am special :D
s/c'd cav
Posts: 1382
Joined: Mon May 30, 2016 3:12 am
Location: PHOENIX AZ

Re: Explain bolt pattern please.

Post by s/c'd cav »

Boingo wrote: Sun Nov 27, 2022 9:24 pm So I have read everywhere people saying over and over that the bolt pattern is 5 x 120(4.72). Is there a reason every single site that sells the stock 18x8 steel rims list them as 5 x 120.65(4.75) ?
I realize the larger pattern will work. Is everyone stating the smaller size because it is a more optimal fit ?
Far as I can tell all the caprice ppv years use the same size and run 14mm x 1.5 studs.
5x120 is our bolt pattern , no if ands or butts !!!!
User avatar
kevink
Posts: 480
Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2015 12:55 pm

Re: Explain bolt pattern please.

Post by kevink »

s/c'd cav wrote: Mon Nov 28, 2022 12:09 pm
Boingo wrote: Sun Nov 27, 2022 9:24 pm So I have read everywhere people saying over and over that the bolt pattern is 5 x 120(4.72). Is there a reason every single site that sells the stock 18x8 steel rims list them as 5 x 120.65(4.75) ?
I realize the larger pattern will work. Is everyone stating the smaller size because it is a more optimal fit ?
Far as I can tell all the caprice ppv years use the same size and run 14mm x 1.5 studs.
5x120 is our bolt pattern , no if ands or butts !!!!
That's true. I machined an aluminum plate with both patterns on it to find out for myself exactly how far off 5x4 3/4" is and only the 5x120mm pattern fit over my PPV's studs.

Image

Image

Image
2011 9C3: 11.48 @118.
User avatar
Boingo
Posts: 65
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2022 12:58 am

Re: Explain bolt pattern please.

Post by Boingo »

kevink wrote: Mon Nov 28, 2022 6:45 pm
s/c'd cav wrote: Mon Nov 28, 2022 12:09 pm
Boingo wrote: Sun Nov 27, 2022 9:24 pm So I have read everywhere people saying over and over that the bolt pattern is 5 x 120(4.72). Is there a reason every single site that sells the stock 18x8 steel rims list them as 5 x 120.65(4.75) ?
I realize the larger pattern will work. Is everyone stating the smaller size because it is a more optimal fit ?
Far as I can tell all the caprice ppv years use the same size and run 14mm x 1.5 studs.
5x120 is our bolt pattern , no if ands or butts !!!!
That's true. I machined an aluminum plate with both patterns on it to find out for myself exactly how far off 5x4 3/4" is and only the 5x120mm pattern fit over my PPV's studs.

Image

Image

Image
I believe you all. I was just curious how every site selling the rims have the wrong numbers. This is why I got on the forum when I got the vehicle. I’d rather talk to experience than salespeople NPCs.
I do appreciate all the feedback. Cool templets
2011 Chevy Caprice
6.0
26k mile purchase
2nd owner
the voices say I am special :D
CrashTestDummy
Posts: 2300
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 2:31 pm
Location: Pearland, Texas

Re: Explain bolt pattern please.

Post by CrashTestDummy »

Boingo wrote: Sun Nov 27, 2022 9:24 pm So I have read everywhere people saying over and over that the bolt pattern is 5 x 120(4.72). Is there a reason every single site that sells the stock 18x8 steel rims list them as 5 x 120.65(4.75) ?
I realize the larger pattern will work. Is everyone stating the smaller size because it is a more optimal fit ?
Far as I can tell all the caprice ppv years use the same size and run 14mm x 1.5 studs.
It's so they can sell their wheels to the Camaro/Firebird crowd, and tell you that they'll fit the 5X120 pattern, too. They are off of 5X120, they do 'fit', but they aren't safe. If they're selling take off Caprice PPV wheels, they're idiots stating that they're 5X4.75.

I guess it could also stem from the fact that hardly anyone in 'Merica owns a metric tape measure, and 4.75" is 'close enough'. :D
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
2012 Caprice 9C1
1992 B4C 1LE Camaro
2018 Tahoe PPV (her car)
1995 DGGM Impala SS
1985 Firebird - 310 LS1 C Prepared autocross car.
1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge
And some others
Do YOU have my SPID?
User avatar
Boingo
Posts: 65
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2022 12:58 am

Re: Explain bolt pattern please.

Post by Boingo »

CrashTestDummy wrote: Wed Dec 07, 2022 5:23 pm
Boingo wrote: Sun Nov 27, 2022 9:24 pm So I have read everywhere people saying over and over that the bolt pattern is 5 x 120(4.72). Is there a reason every single site that sells the stock 18x8 steel rims list them as 5 x 120.65(4.75) ?
I realize the larger pattern will work. Is everyone stating the smaller size because it is a more optimal fit ?
Far as I can tell all the caprice ppv years use the same size and run 14mm x 1.5 studs.
It's so they can sell their wheels to the Camaro/Firebird crowd, and tell you that they'll fit the 5X120 pattern, too. They are off of 5X120, they do 'fit', but they aren't safe. If they're selling take off Caprice PPV wheels, they're idiots stating that they're 5X4.75.

I guess it could also stem from the fact that hardly anyone in 'Merica owns a metric tape measure, and 4.75" is 'close enough'. :D
Haha. Sounds like solid logic. I didn’t doubt the pattern people here with the experience were stating. Just found it annoying all sites are giving wrong patterns. Probably the same kind of people that would run different hub size rims on hub and call it good. Like you said, they don’t care as long as they make their sale.
Appreciate the insight.
2011 Chevy Caprice
6.0
26k mile purchase
2nd owner
the voices say I am special :D
Post Reply