What is 5X115 bolt pattern conversion?
A 5X115 bolt pattern conversion is the process of adapting wheels or hubs so a vehicle with a five-lug, 115-millimeter bolt circle can accept wheels with a different lug pattern (or vice versa). This typically involves wheel adapters or hub/hub-assembly changes and requires careful attention to fitment, safety, and vehicle specifications.
Understanding the 5X115 bolt pattern
The 5X115 designation describes a five-lug mounting arrangement where the centers of the lug holes lie on a circle with a 115-millimeter diameter. In inches, that circle is about 4.53 inches across. This pattern is less common than some mainstream patterns (such as 5x114.3 or 5x120), so verifying compatibility for your specific vehicle is essential before purchasing wheels or adapters.
How to verify your vehicle’s bolt pattern
To confirm the exact pattern, consult the owner’s manual, the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications, or a reputable wheel-fit database. It’s important to verify not just the lug count and diameter but also the center bore size and the lug thread pitch, as these details affect centering and secure mounting.
Conversion options
When your vehicle uses a 5x115 bolt pattern but you want to run wheels with a different pattern, you typically choose between adapters or hub changes. Each option has trade-offs in cost, safety, and ease of installation.
Before listing the common routes to convert, note that this is a specialized modification that often requires professional installation and careful verification of clearance with brakes and suspension.
- Wheel adapters that convert from 5x115 to another 5-lug pattern (for example 5x114.3 or 5x120). These adapters bolt to the vehicle’s hub and present the new lug arrangement for the wheel. Choose high-quality, properly rated adapters and ensure the pattern matches both lug count and pitch.
- Hub-centric or knuckle/hub changes to match the target pattern. This is more invasive and may require replacing or modifying the vehicle’s hub assembly or knuckle to provide the new bolt circle and center bore compatibility.
- Wheels designed for the 5x115 pattern or a compatible alternative that can mount directly after verifying bore and offset. In some cases, sourcing wheels that already match the vehicle’s hub pattern reduces risk and simplifies installation.
Adapters are typically cheaper and reversible but can add weight and potential clearance concerns, while hub changes can be safer and more robust but require more extensive parts sourcing and precise installation.
Safety and compatibility considerations
Before moving forward with any bolt pattern conversion, review several critical safety and compatibility factors to avoid issues with braking, steering, or structural integrity.
- Brake and caliper clearance: confirm there is no contact with the wheel, adapter, or spokes at full steering lock and during suspension travel.
- Hub bore and centering: use hub-centric rings if there is a mismatch between the hub bore and wheel/adaptor inner diameter to reduce vibration and uneven wear.
- Thread pitch, stud length, and lug nuts: ensure lug threads, nut type (cone, acorn, or other), and stud length are correct for the new setup to avoid loosening or failure.
- Offset and fender clearance: maintain appropriate wheel offset to prevent rubbing with fenders, suspension components, or brake hardware; consider the extra thickness added by adapters.
- Weight, unsprung mass, and handling: adapters add mass at the wheel hub; verify the overall load rating and how it might affect handling and ride characteristics.
- Legal, warranty, and insurance considerations: some regions require inspection after modification; factory warranties may be affected by improper bolt-pattern changes.
Engaging a qualified shop for assessment, sourcing high-quality adapters or hubs, and performing precise alignment and torque procedures helps ensure safety and reliability.
What to know before buying or committing
Before committing to a 5x115 conversion, consult with a wheel and tire specialist or a qualified mechanic to confirm feasibility for your specific vehicle, identify compatible adapters or hubs, and understand the impact on braking, suspension, and warranty. They can help you weigh costs, performance implications, and long-term reliability.
With careful planning and professional installation, a 5x115 bolt pattern conversion can enable you to use a wider range of wheels, but it carries inherent trade-offs that must be managed.
Summary
A 5X115 bolt pattern conversion involves changing or adapting a vehicle’s wheel mounting setup from a 5-lug, 115 mm bolt circle to another pattern. It typically relies on wheel adapters or hub/knuckle changes, and carries considerations around clearance, centering, torque, unsprung weight, and legality. Professional evaluation and precise, careful installation are essential to ensure safe, reliable performance.
Is 5x115 the same as 5x4 5?
No, 5x115 is not the same as 5x4.5, though they are very close and often confused. The 5x115 pattern is equivalent to approximately 5x4.53 inches, while the 5x4.5 pattern is the same as 5x114.3mm. The difference is only about 0.7mm, which is a very small amount.
- 5x115: This is a metric measurement equivalent to approximately 5x4.53 inches.
- 5x4.5: This is an imperial measurement equivalent to 5x114.3mm.
- The difference: There is a slight difference of 0.7mm between the two patterns, which is about the thickness of a few sheets of paper.
While some products or adapters might be labeled to fit both patterns, it's always best to use wheels and hardware that are a precise match for your vehicle's specifications to avoid potential problems with fitment or safety.
What is equivalent to a 5x115 bolt pattern?
5X4.53"
BOLT PATTERNS CONVERSIONS (METRIC TO SAE)
| METRIC | SAE |
|---|---|
| 5X115 | 5X4.53" |
| 5X118 | 5X4.65" |
| 5X120 | 5X4.72" |
| 5X120.6 | 5X4.75" |
Does 5X120 fit 5x115?
No, a 5x115 bolt pattern wheel will not directly fit a 5x120 vehicle hub; the difference is significant enough that it could cause damage or failure if an improper adapter is used. You will need to use a specialized adapter to bridge the gap between the two bolt patterns.
Why a direct fit is impossible
- The lug nuts will not line up correctly between the different bolt patterns.
- Attempting to force a wheel with a 5x115 bolt pattern onto a 5x120 hub will damage components and can be extremely dangerous.
How to make them fit (with adapters)
- Use a wheel adapter: You can buy a wheel adapter that converts a 5x120 hub to a 5x115 wheel pattern, such as those found on Amazon and eBay.
- Install the adapter correctly: The adapter is installed on the vehicle's hub first, and then the 5x115 wheel is mounted to the adapter.
- Modify if necessary: In some cases, you may need to shorten the vehicle's original studs to allow the adapter to sit flush against the hub, as recommended on Amazon and Lug Nut Guys.
- Follow installation guidelines: It is critical to use the proper, approved lug nuts and to install everything by hand, not with an impact gun, and tighten the lug nuts correctly, as highlighted on Amazon and YouTube.
- Ensure a professional installation: It is strongly recommended that a trained professional perform the installation to ensure it is done safely and correctly, as mentioned on Reddit and Lug Nut Guys.
Is 5x115 and 5x114 3 the same bolt pattern?
The 5x115 and 5x114.3 bolt patterns are very similar, differing by only 0.7mm0.7 m m0.7𝑚𝑚, so wheels can sometimes be mounted interchangeably, but it is not recommended without precautions. The difference is small enough that it is often within manufacturing tolerances, but using a wheel with the incorrect bolt pattern can cause vibrations or poor fitment if not installed correctly. To properly install, you must use hub-centric rings to center the wheel and tighten the lug nuts in stages using a star pattern to the correct torque specification.
Key differences
- Bolt pattern: 5x114.3 is a common size for many Japanese and some American cars, while 5x115 is a common size for many Dodge, Chrysler, and GM vehicles.
- Measurement: The difference is just 0.7mm0.7 m m0.7𝑚𝑚 (0.0280.0280.028 inches), which is very small.
- Interchangeability: They can be physically mounted, but doing so without proper centering can lead to improper fitment and potential damage.
How to ensure a proper fit
- Use hub-centric rings: These are crucial for centering the wheel on the hub, as the difference in bolt patterns can cause the wheel to be off-center during tightening.
- Tighten lug nuts correctly: Always tighten lug nuts in stages using a star pattern, and torque them to the manufacturer's specifications.
- Consult a professional: If you are unsure, have a competent mechanic or tire professional check the fitment to ensure it is safe and correct for your specific vehicle.
You can watch this video to learn about the compatibility of 5x114.3 wheels on a 5x115 bolt pattern: 33sAuto AlmanacYouTube · Mar 7, 2023
