'57 wheel covers

[Robert L.]

My car has picked up a new trick of losing wheel covers. (twice in the last 50 miles) Have not had this problem for 10 or 15 years.

First loss was after some work by a third party. I replaced the cap with a spare, and inspected all of them. A couple were not solidly seated to the wheel and that was corrected. I thought problem solved, but yesterday another wheel cover flew off. Car has radial tires,(new Diamondbacks are on order) it does not seem to have any shimmy or out of balance symptoms. Both losses were on the front tires.

I recall prying the inner edge of cap out for a tighter fit. Any additional suggestions?

Thanks

[Richard M.]

Re: '57 wheel covers

Robert,

I wonder if your wheels are not originals. I have seen some wheels where the nubs were created with weld-builtup. If so I'm thinking that may a cause.

Rich

[Robert L.]

Re: '57 wheel covers

Thanks Rich,

Pretty sure they are original.

bob

[Darryl D.]

Re: '57 wheel covers

If they are original they will have nubs that were pressed into the wheels on the edges to hold the full wheel covers on. re the wheel coversor hub caps?

[Richard M.]

Re: '57 wheel covers

Found some old photos of original wheel covers. Yours should have markings like this. I looked for a closeup photo of the 4 attach tabs but no luck. Maybe try bending the tabs towards the nubs a bit to put more pressure on them.

Also, to ensure the covers are tight, the outer edges must be flat against the wheel. I use a rubber mallet. They snap in pretty tightly.





edit....found some pics of the tabs.... and wheel nubs.

[Scott S.]

Re: '57 wheel covers

The wheel does not look to be correct, it lacks the reinforcement transition. IMHO

[Richard M.]

Re: '57 wheel covers

The wheel does not look to be correct, it lacks the reinforcement transition. IMHO

Scott, the red wheel I pictured is a file photo from someone else, not Robert's wheel. I just wanted to show the nub.

Rich

[Robert L.]

Re: '57 wheel covers

Thanks for the replies. New tires come in tomorrow. (Old ones look great but have to be 15 years old, not worth the risk if I want to enjoy the car for awhile).

With everything off I will make a detailed inspection.

Bob
MCMLVII

[Robert L.]

Re: '57 wheel covers

Problem solved. The wheels were not original. No nubs. These were replaced with original wheels, new tries installed, and wheel covers installed.

Thanks,
Bob
MCMLVII

[Richard M.]

Re: '57 wheel covers

Problem solved. The wheels were not original. No nubs. These were replaced with original wheels, new tries installed, and wheel covers installed.

Thanks,
Bob
MCMLVII

Bob, Now you will never ever loose a wheelcover again.
Nice!