Patching rim due to CACL rust out

old · Jun 19, 2022

So had a hole in the rim where the stem come out about 4 inch around. Welded a couple piece of flat stock over to cover the hole up. I need to move where the stem come out so need to drill a new hole for the stem. What diameter does the hole need to be??
Thanks

glennster · Jun 19, 2022

rich if i remember right they were either 7/16 or 5/8 inch diameter holes. drill a scrap piece of metal and see if it fits the valve stem on the tube.

old · Jun 19, 2022

You know I took a washer just a little bit ago and set it over the stem of the old tube. I think I'll use it for a guide as to how big the hole needs to be and try a couple bits and the one the fits the best drill it that size. Didn't think about the fact I had done that till you said something

old · Jun 19, 2022

The hole in the washer that fit nicely was 21/64s so that is what I ended up drilling it out to.

Jim.ME · Jun 19, 2022

(quoted from post at 16:40:10 06/19/22) The hole in the washer that fit nicely was 21/64s so that is what I ended up drilling it out to.

Just over 5/16"? That's a pretty small valve stem. Did you mean 21/32nd (just over 5/8") which would be right for a rear tractor tube stem.

This post was edited by Jim.ME on 06/19/2022 at 02:37 pm.

old · Jun 19, 2022

Well if the drill bit box is right 21/64 is just shy of being a 1/2 inch hole. But I also didn't have my glasses on so my have miss read it. I used a washer I had as a measure and set it on the old tube stem and it fit good so then used it to size the drill bit. Drill bit holder I have the bit I used was one down from the largest it has in it

old · Jun 19, 2022

Well if the drill bit box is right 21/64 is just shy of being a 1/2 inch hole. But I also didn't have my glasses on so my have miss read it. I used a washer I had as a measure and set it on the old tube stem and it fit good so then used it to size the drill bit. Drill bit holder I have the bit I used was one down from the largest it has in it.

It may have been a 21/32 size bit come to think about it. I NEVER have my glasses in the shop

Paul from MI · Jun 19, 2022

I have fixed several rims with this problem. I used 16 ga. and bent it to shape to match the rim. I sand blasted the rim and brazed the patch in place. Smooth the inside of the rim/patch so the tube doesn't get pinched. Don't remember what size drill I used, just match the old hole. Both have been in place for many years, no problems.

Jim.ME · Jun 19, 2022

(quoted from post at 18:15:09 06/19/22) Well if the drill bit box is right 21/64 is just shy of being a 1/2 inch hole. But I also didn't have my glasses on so my have miss read it. I used a washer I had as a measure and set it on the old tube stem and it fit good so then used it to size the drill bit. Drill bit holder I have the bit I used was one down from the largest it has in it

Yes, 21/64 is just a bit shy of 1/2. 5/16 = 20/64, so 21/64 is 1/64 over 5/16.

If you have a 1/2 inch drill index, 31/64 is the next smaller drill from 1/2 inch. If that's the one you used, it was misread.

Rear tractor tubes (sounds like you are patching your rear rim from your other post) I am familiar with need a 5/8 clear hole for the tube stem. The stem holds the tube in place with a nylon nut at the base of the stem where it protrudes from the hole in the rim. .453 and .625 are standard rim hole sizes. Apparently, yours is different if you only need a 31/64 hole. I just double checked my spare tube, and the threaded brass area for the nut is 31/64 OD. The rubber, which needs to fit into the rim hole, below the nut, is 5/8 OD. Please double check yours, I'm not trying to jerk you around.

old · Jun 19, 2022

I use the pickup truck bed liner spray to make sure the tube doesn't get cut by a rough area. It goes in about 1/8-1/4 inch thick so makes for a good liner

old · Jun 19, 2022

I may have to drill it out a bit more. Washer fit down to the rubber part but didn't think about the fact the rubber part has to fit in the hole that is drilled. I most likely drilled it 31/64 but as I said I don't wear my glasses in the shop. Don't want to have to replace the glasses due to them falling etc.

Jim.ME · Jun 19, 2022

Perhaps a cheap pair of "shop" glasses for use in the shop, from Walmart or other place, might be a good investment. Or if you have had your prescription updated, use your old ones in the shop. I wear glasses and have done such for years.

This post was edited by Jim.ME on 06/19/2022 at 04:02 pm.

old · Jun 19, 2022

Most of the time if I have good light and can hold things far enough away I have no need for glasses but in the drill index I could not get a clear line of sight so hard to read what it said.

I did go out and double check and I had to drill the hole out a bit more. The 1/2 inch drill didn't like the larger drill bit but I did get it done and since the old tube was laying close by I even check it for fit. I've never moved the stem hole on a rim before I have always been able to weld a washer on place but this time the rusted out area would not let me do that

showcrop · Jun 19, 2022

5/8

MJMJ · Jun 19, 2022

Last one I fixed, I just welded a correct fitting washer in place, then used a hammer to contour it. Been about 5 years, never had an issue with it.

old · Jun 20, 2022

In the past I too have used a washer but this time the hole is to large to do it that way

hd6gtom · Jun 21, 2022

They make a weld in insert for that. Formed just like the original rim. Reduces stress on the tube. I used to keep them on the shelf because out local blacksmith never had them.

Patching rim due to CACL rust out

old

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