Couldn't you simple replace the bolt with an allen stud? That way you would
preserve the function, but the fastener would have no head.

Todd
'88 Westy

karl wrote:

> No need to grind 'divots' into the wheels, just remove those two small
> bolts, their sole purpose is only to hold the brake drum on with the wheels
> removed. You can remove and toss them, I have on mine, also using the other
> SA wheels, the 'Starburst' style.
>
> Karl
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ty Graham <tyg@OZ.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, September 10, 1999 1:29 PM
> Subject: Rhein 15" Alloy wheels
>
> > I just installed the Rhein 15" alloy wheels I bought from Ken months ago.
> > Here's a quick status report and a question.
> >
> > I replaced the 14" VW alloys on my '91 Syncro Westy.  (Not for sale, yet)
> >
> > The wheels were the Rhein seconds from Ken http://www.vanagain.com .  I
> > bought five wheels plus center caps.  They were drop shipped from
> Overland.
> > These wheels were near perfect and certainly good enough to go on any car
> of
> > mine.  I don't remember the price.
> >
> > I used Pirelli Scorpion A/S tires in size 205/75/15 from Discount Tire.
> > These were a three day special order, costing $67 per tire.  I paid
> Discount
> > to balance and mount.
> >
> > I had some problems fitting the rear wheels on my brake drums.  The wheels
> > hit a bolt head in two places on each wheel, ~1/4 by 1/2".  The guys at
> > Discount caught this and wouldn't install the wheels until I Dremeled a
> > couple of small divots in the back of each wheel.  Once my 20 minutes of
> > machine work was complete, these wheels installed with no further
> problems.
> >
> > I think this wheel and tire combination is fantastic.  I really like the
> > look of the larger tire.  I have updated my web site if you want to take a
> > look.  http://www.oz.net/~tyg/Westy.htm  I road tested this setup on a 600
> > mile road trip to the Oregon coast this past weekend -- these larger tires
> > have really smoothed the ride.  Freeway expansion joints, curbs and other
> > rough stuff now make only a dull bump in the cabin.  There was no rain; I
> > can't make any comment wrt wet handling.  Wheel diameter is increased by
> 2".
> > I definitely feel the effectively taller gearing, especially when pulling
> > long grades with a full water tank.  You have to get over any hang-ups
> about
> > shifting down to third gear. The upside to the changed gearing is a truer
> > speedo reading, or at least a closer match to that of my buddies EV.  The
> > taller gearing also keeps the engine RPM down a little bit which seems a
> > little less fatiguing (for me, not necessarily the van) on a long trip.
> My
> > new spare will not fit the stock carrier without some fooling around.  I
> am
> > investigating the mods necessary and have found some ideas in the archives
> > and on David Marshall's site.
> >
> > If you are still with me, I would be interested in hearing from anyone
> else
> > with the Rhein wheels recommended solutions to my little Dremel problem.
> My
> > two little divots work fine for getting on the road now, but I need a long
> > term solution.  Until I modify all five wheels, my rotation will be
> screwed
> > up. With two divots my wheels will only fit one way, this could be a real
> > pain while horsing a wheel around in the dark, in the rain, etc. To get
> > around these issues, I really need to notch all five wheels in five
> places.
> > 25 notches means this needs to be set up in some kind of semi-production
> > fashion.  I'm not sure the Dremel is the best tool for this.  I almost
> think
> > a router with a straight bit and some sort of plywood template might be
> the
> > way to go on this.  I'm not sure about routing aluminum, though.
> >
> > Any input?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Ty Graham
> > '91 Syncro Westy
> > '86 Syncro Doublecab with Eurospec conversion (don't ask)