Loose hub caps

M

mrfirebird73

Member
How do you keep the hub caps from rattling when installed? I seem to be having a hard time getting the tabs to stay tight to the wheel. I thought of getting the hub cap tool thats available. Has anyone used it?
 
Since you mentioned the hibcap tool, I am assuming you are speaking of a 19" wheel hubcap. First off, the better quality (i.e.: Original & A&L) do not really have this issue like the cheaper hubcaps do.

Second, bending the tabs by alternating ever 3rd or 4th one is sufficient to hold iton and then place a couple of small drops of silicone adhesive where the tab meets the rim will keep them from rattling. Also by installing a small rubber o-ring on the tabs prior to installation onto the rim will help eliminate the rattle too.

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Firebird - I have not used the tool, but also had to deal with loose hup-caps.

Are you bending down all the tabs, or just a few? I found on mine that just bending four at noon, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock works the best. Another tab combination is using just three tabs equally spaced.

If the bending system of three or four doesn't work, I then wrap a thick rubber band around the tabs; then as you bend the tabs down they compress the rubber band.

I hope one of these will help.

PS. You didn't state if you have 21" or 19" wheels. Mine are 21".
 
We did a review in the Model A Times on the hub cap tool several years ago. It works well and allows you to prepare the hub cap so that it snaps on and is tight.
 
My solution was to pre bend 4 tabs such that they would have tension when just pushed in, then bend several other tabs to hold the cap in ---the first 4 tabs keep it from rattling, the 2nd set of tabs keep it in ---so far it has worked for 30 years, they are still tight. --I have the A&L caps from then
 
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