Backyard engineering

Went to mount it on my backhoe and realized that the previous owner had replaced all the wheel bolts (5/8 diameter)with wheel studs. He bored the axle hub out to .8 inch id and used monster sized studs and then welded up a thick spacer on the backside of the wheel to make the studs fit properly.

The way I see it I have 4 options:

1. Find wheel studs that fit the .8 inch id hole in the hub and have the correct 5/8 thread for use with the wheel.

2. Remove the axle and have a machine shop re-machine 8 new holes in the hub so I can use the original style factory wheel bolts.

3. Buy a replacement axle and install it.

4. Drill the holes out in the wheel and use a spacer behind the wheel to make up the difference where the shoulder sticks to far through the hub.

I like option 1 the best because it would be the fastest and eaiest.

Option 2 would likely be my second choice.

Any suggestions on where I can find wheel studs that have .8 inch serrated shank, 1/2 inch long serrated section and 5/8 thread?

Thanks,

Brad

• 1963 Cae 530CK backhoe

Actually I thought of that earlier but the original wheel is in pretty poor condition so thats one of the reasons I was looking for a better rim.

I think what I'm actually going to do is drill eight new holes and buy the correct size 5/8 wheel studs and install them. Won't be fun drilling holes that are slightly over 1/2 inch through the hub but it seems to be my best alternative for the time being.

Brad

• 1963 Cae 530CK backhoe