Center Caps for Winter Steelies

[Rochester]

I'll be putting my snows on the car in a few weeks. Each Fall I swap out the OEM 17" SE rims with summer tread, for 16" steel rims with snow tires... then back again in the Spring.

For the first few years, I was putting wheel covers on the steel rims. It looked so lame, that for the last couple of years I went bare. And this summer, I even repainted the rims clean and black.

My question: I'd like center caps (dust caps?), because the center nut looks so nasty. The opening is 65mm, or just a hair over 2.5".

Does anyone have any advice?

[Rochester]

Some pics:

[mist max2000]

i have almost the same setup.. run mine bare as well.. tried covers last year and they wouldnt stay on right and looked like crap.. but no.. i have no advice but im jumping in here to see what others say

[SteveB123]

Paint the centre nut black?

I don't know, I'm in the same boat...

[Rochester]

Originally Posted by SteveB123

Paint the centre nut black?

I don't know, I'm in the same boat...

That would work for the rear... don't know why I didn't think of that. But the front has the nut & pin, which as I said, is pretty nasty rusty. I'd prefer to put a black plastic cap over both.

We're 0 for 3, guys. Didn't realize this was a common issue. Love to hear from someone with a simple answer.

[Rochester]

I swung by AutoZone this afternoon. Um, no. That was a bust.

And I just wrote to CenterCaps.com with this inquiry. I'll let you guys know if anything comes of that.

[updated]

From Centercaps.com: "Sorry only hubcaps will fit this Steel wheel."

[Nelsito65]

I always wondered if I could get those like the ones on police cruisers...

[Rochester]

The more I look into this, the less confident I feel about finding something that fits the bill. However, these look promising, and at the right diameter give or take a fraction of an inch. Perhaps if the edge were cut/ground down to the flange?

[Rochester]

I popped off one of the rims this evening to take some measurements. Although those silver caps (in the previous post) seem perfect at 2.44" (which is 2 and 7/8"), that's the exact diameter of the lip on the hub. And there's like 1/2 mm gap, so there's no room for a cap even if it did fit.

The answer? Rustoleum, in black. To get the hub nuts off, you'd need a torch anyway, right?

Oh well, it was worth researching. Man, those grease caps sure did look like a solution!

[Ghost_54]

Been wondering myself ... good thread as there seems to be several looking for the same answer. How about this link Rochester http://www.championtrailers.com/dust_caps.html
or this one http://www.southwestwheel.com/store/p-3132-t51526.aspx

Found this comment on another site where a guy used "68 cent stainless steel cocktail cups and a little epoxy glue" or even JB weld ... never would have thought of using steel cocktail cups, I'll have to check them out for size fitment. If they fit one would just have to spray paint them black with high heat engine paint.
And another guy used stainless steel shrimp cups, creative little buggers

A little search on the kitchen supply companies and found these http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com/...0/p377308.aspx ... I think these guys have the right idea looking at some of the stainless steel desert style cups that can be easily jb weld into place, just need to spent a bit more time in the housewares dept. instead of the automotive dept. ... what do you guys think of this idea?

[Rochester]

Originally Posted by Ghost_54

Been wondering myself ... good thread as there seems to be several looking for the same answer. How about this link Rochester http://www.championtrailers.com/dust_caps.html
or this one http://www.southwestwheel.com/store/p-3132-t51526.aspx

Found this comment on another site where a guy used "68 cent stainless steel cocktail cups and a little epoxy glue" or even JB weld ... never would have thought of using steel cocktail cups, I'll have to check them out for size fitment. If they fit one would just have to spray paint them black with high heat engine paint.
And another guy used stainless steel shrimp cups, creative little buggers

A little search on the kitchen supply companies and found these http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com/...0/p377308.aspx ... I think these guys have the right idea looking at some of the stainless steel desert style cups that can be easily jb weld into place, just need to spent a bit more time in the housewares dept. instead of the automotive dept. ... what do you guys think of this idea?

Those 2.5" grease caps are the same ones I posted in that picture a few days ago. Good to know you found a source that's not just ebay.

So let me get this straight: you're proposing adhering the caps to the rims from the outside, rather than fitting them through the centers from the inside? That's pretty good out-of-the-box thinking, Ghost!

It's enough to make me want to buy a couple caps and experiment. If you look at the caps, I think they would have to get ground down to the flange area in order to use them.

I've no experience with this JB Weld stuff, but I've heard it mentioned here a few times... I think in relation to fixing a broken VIAS in the 5.0 gen.

[Ghost_54]

Well like you I googled searched grease caps - hub dust cover, and then expanded my search to other forums ... when I came across just how a couple of other guys resolved their search by using stainless steel desert dishes from the food service industry, which I thought was very cleaver of them. So on the weekend I will have a look through a few shops here to see what is available to fit this application, I'll let you how I make out.

[Rochester]

Originally Posted by Ghost_54

Well like you I googled searched grease caps - hub dust cover, and then expanded my search to other forums ... when I cam across just how a couple of other guys resolved their search by using stainless steel desert dishes from the food service industry, which I thought was very cleaver of them. So on the weekend I will have a look through a few shops here to see what is available to fit this application, I'll let you how I make out.

Please do.

Ghost, I will happily defer to your ingenuity, and follow that lead if it works out.

The "cap" really wouldn't need much clearance, if any, right? I should have taken a pic last night to maintain perceptive. Darn.

I'm thinking the snows will be on the car in about 2 or 3 weeks.

[Ghost_54]

Well I will be very surprised if the snow holds off for two to three weeks, it's already very cold in the morning here around the zero and windy-rain off and on so you know the snow is right behind it ... where did the Indian summer go? I so look forward to it every year ... it was just to damn short

[Rochester]

Really? You think that soon? Used to be I would wait until the first week of December before putting on the snows, but you're right that it's getting pretty threatening lately. I've been watching the forecast every day now. I really hate this game, waiting for snowfall.

I got caught unprepared one year, and stranded at home for half a day waiting for thaw. You do NOT want to drive on snow with Eagle F1 tires!



I've been using Bridgestone Blizzaks for years now. Very happy. Just bought a set of 4 for my wife's Honda this week.

[Ghost_54]

Originally Posted by Rochester

That would work for the rear... don't know why I didn't think of that. But the front has the nut & pin, which as I said, is pretty nasty rusty. I'd prefer to put a black plastic cap over both.

We're 0 for 3, guys. Didn't realize this was a common issue. Love to hear from someone with a simple answer.

Here's yet another idea, and they say they can handle heat, which is good thing when it comes to covering the bolt threads.

http://www.componentforce.com/en/category/32/epdm-caps

[Rochester]

Originally Posted by Ghost_54

Here's yet another idea, and they say they can handle heat, which is good thing when it comes to covering the bolt threads.

http://www.componentforce.com/en/category/32/epdm-caps

Assuming an appropriate diameter, then cut down for a reasonable height, they would probably look great.

Except, how would you mount it so it stays put? You would have to weld some kind of clip to the lip on the center opening.

[Rhyno02]

If the look of the steelies bug you, maybe you should look around for a cheap set 4th gen 5 spoke 16"s and just swap the tires. Dunno, just a thought.

[Rochester]

Originally Posted by Rhyno02

If the look of the steelies bug you, maybe you should look around for a cheap set 4th gen 5 spoke 16"s and just swap the tires. Dunno, just a thought.

Actually, the steelies look kind of rugged in the winter. Particularly when new, or newly painted. Although that appeal wears off around February, when the car starts looking like an unwashed import from Chernobyl.

I was just fishing for ideas about a minor observation. Not looking to spend more than a few bucks to address it. In fact, maybe only the cost of a spraycan of Rustoleum.

I've been getting PM's from Ghost_54... it's his project now (Hi, Jim.) I'm just a bystander waiting to see what he figures out.

[Rochester]

It might be fun in a few weeks to start a thread about winter pictures. Steelies, snows, and winter crud on our rides. Fun in a masochistic sort of way, maybe.

[Lontar1]

try this.........

[Rochester]

Originally Posted by Lontar1

try this.........

Andrew Dice Clay used to laugh at his own jokes.

I'd say that worked out really well for him, too.

[Lontar1]

Originally Posted by Rochester

Andrew Dice Clay used to laugh at his own jokes.

I'd say that worked out really well for him, too.

well I was just giving you an idea on what to use to cover the Pin and Nut... it looks funny but if you thing about it... is either that or running your car w/o it. my .02

[Lontar1]

Originally Posted by Rochester

Andrew Dice Clay used to laugh at his own jokes.

I'd say that worked out really well for him, too.

well I was just giving you an idea on what to use to cover the Pin and Nut... it looks funny but if you thing about it... is either that or running your car w/o it. my .02

Found some info about Andrew Dice..... I'm over here now...on the web. Welcome to my brand new (and first ever) official website. You can come here to find out when and where I'm touring, and other fabulous information about me. Be patient, I'm just learning how to do this whole Internet thinggggg. Over the next few weeks, I'll be adding more features, so be sure to come back often and tell all your friends. The Undisputed Heavyweight Comedy King is back and better than ever. And if you don't like it, then hey, **** YOU!!!! -Dice, website in ase you need it....

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[SuperStasiu]

just put some spinner hub caps on yo, lol and you can be fly all year round mang hahaha

[Rochester]

I weep for the loss of writing skills in our youth today.

Here, this is me weeping