Hi Folks,

I have worked on a variety of Proteus wheel fake bolts. On OEM wheels these are plastic, splined knock in parts and virtually impossible to remove without breaking. They obviously drill out pretty easily. Some repro wheels (with black barrels) have similar fitments. The ones I was working on yesterday, apparently from a different Taiwanese factory to those I had previously seen, used a similar design of fake bolts made of aluminium identifiable by their milled edges. Fortunately, due to being aluminium and hollow they drilled out really easily with a 5.5mm bit.

Replacement plastic replacements tens to cost about £1 each whereas proper stainless bolts are only pennies. I believe the original holes are 5/6mm wide and 6mm deep and therefore am told that 6x6mm ones require only minimal work whilst having heads very close to the original size. Ensure they are fitted very firmly.

Hope this helps with your refurb!

Mike.