Hub swaps with Cobalt, Spark, or Aveo?

[TheGreenDragon]

I know it's a stupid thing to hope at this point, and that it might just be far easier to take the hubs to a shop and have them re-drilled to the bolt pattern I want.

But I figured I would ask, since if a swap-able hub exists, I wouldn't have to have all future hub replacements re-drilled.

Here's my logic. Chevy put a 4x100 bolt pattern on Sonics they sold overseas. That means the parts exist. So why wouldn't they simply re-use an existing part from another car as part of the design? It would cut down on production costs and make replacement easier.

So, to finally get to the point. Does anybody know if the 4x100 pcd hubs/rotors from a 2011 Chevy Cobalt, the 2015 Spark, or the 2008/11 Aveo are compatible with the Sonic? My money would be on the Spark, since it is also based on the Gamma II universal small-car chassis. But since I have yet to visit a junkyard with my tools in search of totaled Sparks, I can't say for sure.

Anyone out there have slightly more knowledge about this than I do at the moment?

 

[SuperSonicRS]

I would look into the Eco Cruze. All Cruzes use the same brake/rotor setup as us except for the Eco version. If I were to attempt this swap, that would be the first place I'd look, as the parts seem like they would be the easiest to swap

 

[carsNskis]

Cruze has the same bolt pattern, therefore same issue... The dreaded 5x105

it's not the size, it's how you drive it....

 

[The Champ]

Here's my logic. Chevy put a 4x100 bolt pattern on Sonics they sold overseas. That means the parts exist. So why wouldn't they simply re-use an existing part from another car as part of the design? It would cut down on production costs and make replacement easier.

I would think that because the Cruze, Trax and Buick Encore already use the 5x105, it's more cost effective to go with the 5x105.

 

[Natesriv]

I THINK the Buick isn't 5x105.... I think...

Some wheel places can widen a bolt hole or two to make a different pattern fit... not sure how it works afterwards (I'd say if one bolt stays in the same spot you'd be good, but that doesn't seem possible if you're going up a size....so.....)

I know if we were 5x114.3 we'd RULE THE WORLD!!

I think a well modded Sonic is far better looking than any other hatch out there!

 

[SuperSonicRS]

Sorry I was mistaken, it's the Cruze diesel that uses a different bolt pattern (5X115)

 

[The Champ]

I THINK the Buick isn't 5x105.... I think...

It is 5x105. The Encore and the Trax are the same vehicle.

Personally, I wish everything came with 5x4.75" (5x120.65) as that's what my Camaro and GTO have. They should all have the same BS or offset too...

I find there are plenty of 5x105 wheel options out there.

 

[TheGreenDragon]

Honestly, it pisses me off that Chevy keeps putting such restrictive bolt patterns on their cars.

The Cobalt SS was 5x110 because it shared parts with a Saab, of all things. Their forum has several members cursing Chevy's design department. Every other Cobalt was 4x100, with rare examples being 5x100.

Then you have the Cruze, Trax, and a few Buick models with the oddly European 5x105 pattern.

And of course, the Sonic.

Sure there are lots of choices for our bolt pattern, if you don't mind getting really crummy/shady rims here in the States. Most of the good quality rims are in Europe, because (surprise!) they have more cars with that bolt pattern. So if you are willing to pay shipping across the Atlantic...

I mean, come on! They put a 4x100 bolt pattern on cars sold in Russia, Thailand, and Indonesia! WHY NOT HERE?! There are a grand total of FIVE cars that have a 5x105 bolt pattern here in the States, and ALL OF THEM are from freaking GENERAL MOTORS! FIVE!!! We can't use that bolt pattern here!!!

*facedesk* Uggggghhh. Chevy, I hate you.

I need to go to bed...

 

[The Champ]

We can't use that bolt pattern here!!!

Oh yes we can...

We're all doing it.

 

[Natesriv]

It is 5x105. The Encore and the Trax are the same vehicle.

Personally, I wish everything came with 5x4.75" (5x120.65) as that's what my Camaro and GTO have. They should all have the same BS or offset too...

I find there are plenty of 5x105 wheel options out there.

You are correct. The Verano is 5x115 (isn't that shared platform with the Cruze?)

 

[carsNskis]

So, what about a custom axle? There are shops around Denver area that will build to spec.

On my last Integra build I took in a stock axle and said "how much to make it hold up to 400hp?" It cost $250 per side but they were bullet proof.

I would assume any shop that builds axles can do the same for a Sonic (and redrill for a different wheel pattern).

it's not the size, it's how you drive it....

 

[jgrote]

The lug bolts are on the hub, not the axle. I would guess that the cheapest way to accomplish what you're looking for would be to have your hubs redrilled. Of course though, you run into the replacement problem. Last time I had something like that done was a very long time ago, and I think it was like $50/hub.

 

[carsNskis]

The lug bolts are on the hub, not the axle. I would guess that the cheapest way to accomplish what you're looking for would be to have your hubs redrilled. Of course though, you run into the replacement problem. Last time I had something like that done was a very long time ago, and I think it was like $50/hub.

Yah I guess I could have looked at a schematic... I would personally pay for a new set to be milled/fabbed over a redrill. Lots of load on those hubs, I would think more holes than necessary would be a safety issue

it's not the size, it's how you drive it....

 

[mk6sean]

Yeah the 5x105 bolt pattern absolutely sucks. Rotiform, 1552, 3SDM, they all drill 5x100, 5x112. Then they have some models with 4x100 & 5x114.3. I'm hesitating on buying new wheels and having them redrilled to 5x105 because they'll never sell and if they do, it will be a substantial loss. I'm also looking into a hub swap. Preferably 5x100 though (cavalier). It's a way more common bolt pattern and the options for wheels are endless.


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[Swordsmith]

Adapters are available which lets you take your 5x105 to a variety of more common sizes... or you could have the adapter drilled to your specific specs.

 

[mk6sean]

Adapters are available which lets you take your 5x105 to a variety of more common sizes... or you could have the adapter drilled to your specific specs.

I thought about adapters... The only thing is that they are thick and we would need higher offsets to have decent fitment.


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[TheGreenDragon]

Adapters are available which lets you take your 5x105 to a variety of more common sizes... or you could have the adapter drilled to your specific specs.

Yeah, that's the problem. Most of the wheels I really would like to get have offsets that already push the boundary of the wheelwell. Adding an adapter (while certainly the easiest route) would make it impossible to run these wheels.

 

[jgrote]

Well, I decided to bother looking into this for about 1 minute, and came across a little problem. Looking at this pic:

It can't be redrilled. The design just doesn't allow it. Now your only options are a custom hub, or find another car with the same hub size with different lug pattern. I bet the latter could be done.

 

[carsNskis]

Looks like these guys can build to suit

http://www.ggmfg.com/Products/WheelHubAssemblies/WheelHubAssemblies.aspx

it's not the size, it's how you drive it....

 

[Stew]

Given the choice of using adapters or different hubs, adapters are probably the easiest way to go. Yeah, your wheels will be more specialized with the additional offset the adapters will require, but using other hubs means you also have to also change the drums/discs too.

Also adapters can be removed returning everything back to stock when time comes to sell it, which will probably make selling easier.