Can I remove the centre from my "Centreless" wheels?

[Garryg163]

Hi there folks.

Love my C5 Mk1 estate load lugger to bits. I need to change my tyres soon and have been told centreless hubs are a pain in the @ss!! to balance, and only certain garages can do it (Not very well, reading all the moans on here)

Belt and braces sort of guy that I am, I was wondering if anyone has simply drilled out the centres of the wheels with a core cutter, so they can be balanced anywhere?

Would there be any structural issue ( Considering the wheel bolts are an outer radius that what I propose to drill) ?

Has anyone done this?

Your comments awaited!

[xantia_v6]

I have considered this, and don't think that there would be a structural issue if the hole is made to the standard size for balancing cones.

The hole would have to be very accurately located and turned on a lathe (not a core drill), as any error of position or angle would produce a wheel that would be even more difficult to balance than the ones you are starting with.

[Stickyfinger]

Reportedly, KwickFit (up) have the adapters for them. Phone around I would say.

[bobins]

Reportedly, KwickFit (up) have the adapters for them. Phone around I would say.

I'd agree with Sticky - don't give up so easily, phone around a bit I asked at Merityre (southern based tyre/exhaust chain) when I got my last set of tyres and they said no problem, they've got the adapters.

[Hell Razor5543]

I wonder if it might be worth buying the adaptor yourself (if you can find them), and then let the tyre place know you have one.

Erm, that might not be such a valid idea. According to e-bay, they are about £250 or so;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Ada ... SwPhdVCCOf

[DHallworth]

Whereabouts are you? If you're local to Glasgow I have a wheel balancer and centreless adapter and am happy to lend a hand.

David.

[Garryg163]

Thanks DHallworth i live in the Midlands WS3

Appreciate the speedy responses

[GiveMeABreak]

This is a major issue on the C5, not just because of the centre-less hubs - I would have to get my tyres balanced several times after fitting new tyres due to vibration at certain speeds. The trouble was finding someone who got it right and then sticking with them. Nowadays though, ATS & Kwik Fit both have the kit as there are many other cars with this set up. Personally, I buy my tyres on-line and get them delivered home, then arrange for ATS to fit and balance them for me. Saves 'loadsa money'! National Tyres used to do this, but our local branch have come up with some crap about not being allowed to fit customer tyres all of a sudden, despite them being all sealed, wrapped with invoice. Walked out 2 years ago after a barney with the new manager and told them that's their loss. Won't go there now for anything as a result. I tend to use ATS for fitting now as they have nitrogen and their computer thingamebob for the tracking.

[rory_perrett]

Centreless wheels seem to be a bit of a Citroen thing. Got them on my Xantia and had them on the Xsara. More tyre places have the adapter than are prepared to admit it, they don't like having to change the mandrel on the machine. I've found a number of Kwik Fits have them and my local independent tyre fitter has one but you have to catch him on a good day. I have found that if you can leave the wheel(s) with them for a few hours they are more amenable to doing them.

[Peter.N.]

My one man band tyre fitter in sleepy Devon has the adaptors for the C5 wheels and he didn't even complain about the lack of a hole, the problem had never occurred to me until I watched him put them on the balancer - they balanced fine.

Peter