Front wheel bearing grease caps?

[Stingray70]

I just pulled the front wheels off my '30 coupe today for the first time and was surprised to see there were no grease caps.

After reading, I see they were not originally equipped with them. There are add on caps available from the suppliers though.

My question is, do you guys use them? Worthwhile? I am trying to keep the car as original as possible but it is a driver.

Thanks

 

[J Franklin]

I bet the factory thought the hub caps were enough.

 

[TMarsh]

I use them I think they help keep dirt out, you cant see them anyway with the wheels on.

 

[WHN]

I have never used them. I once did buy a set many, many, years ago. They did not fit properly. So I never put on car.

Enjoy.

 

[CarlG]

The biggest problem with fitting the caps is that the original washer under the nut is too large to let the cap fit down properly. Either get a smaller diameter washer or file/grind down the original and they will fit.

 

[john charlton]

In late 1931 Ford introduced a spoked cast iron front drum . It is the same pattern as the 12" model B drum but is 11" often overlooked at swap meets . This drum is threaded to take a threaded hub cap . A good drum to find as no dirt in the bearing in extreme conditions and much less brake fade .

John in same place but worse weather .

 

[shew01]

In late 1931 Ford introduced a spoked cast iron front drum . It is the same pattern as the 12" model B drum but is 11" often overlooked at swap meets . This drum is threaded to take a threaded hub cap . A good drum to find as no dirt in the bearing in extreme conditions and much less brake fade .

John in same place but worse weather .

In late 1931 Ford introduced a spoked cast iron front drum . It is the same pattern as the 12" model B drum but is 11" often overlooked at swap meets . This drum is threaded to take a threaded hub cap . A good drum to find as no dirt in the bearing in extreme conditions and much less brake fade .

John in same place but worse weather .

Is this the drum you are taking about?

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[Will N]

The center section of the wheel seals up tight against the brake drum, and the hubcap covers the exposed area of the outer bearing. It's not a perfect seal, but hey, nothing on the Model A is a perfect seal!

 

[Ruth]

Is this the drum you are taking about?

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Ya think you got that picture BIG enough?

 

[shew01]

Ya think you got that picture BIG enough?

Maybe. It’s what I happened to have on hand. ;-)


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[john charlton]

Yes that is the one as long as it is 11" dia. Some have the part number on the back spokes .

John in Suffolk County England .

 

[shew01]

Yes that is the one as long as it is 11" dia. Some have the part number on the back spokes .

John in Suffolk County England .

They were on my car when I purchased it. A senior club member was surprised to see them and remarked that he had never seen a set. Are these supposed to be better than the original design?


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[DNLs1930]

The biggest problem with fitting the caps is that the original washer under the nut is too large to let the cap fit down properly. Either get a smaller diameter washer or file/grind down the original and they will fit.

YEP What Carl said! My car actually has a cap on the drivers side and no cap on the passenger side. SO got a set of replacement caps and the passenger side cap will not fit over the keyed washer therefore my car continues to had a drivers side cap and no passenger side cap

 

[Arcieri]

I reduced the size of your picture and here it is.
I have a couple of these wheels but they are in storage and I haven't seen them in years.

Yours looks a little different than what I remember, but if I get to the warehouse today I"ll take pictures and post one for us to compare.

Ray

 

[katy]

Maybe the large washer was an attempt to keep large dirt out of the bearing.

 

[Dick M]

I bought a pair years ago. They did not fit as the inserted part was over size. I carefully ground down the inserted part until it was a snug fit. The have been on ever since modified.

 

[Ak Sourdough]

I saw on some forum, thought it was this one, that Ford passenger car bearing caps from the early 50's would fit the hubs. I trotted right out in the woods and removed a pair from a junker 52 Customline. As CarlG said, the washer was too large, but not by much. A few seconds at the bench grinder made them small enough to let the cap into the hub without interference.


I rummaged through my inventory of good goods and found a small ball to clamp in my vice and knocked out most of the dents. I guess I neglected to take a picture of them installed, but they fit just fine.