Hubcaps

[BNCHIEF]

Putting hub caps on the model a wheel what is a good way to do these and keep them tight and from moving around. One guy has a video posted where he uses silicone seal but I think that is a bad idea. Just wondering what some others here do.

[Mitch]

19 or 21 inch wheel

[BNCHIEF]

19" wheel on my 30 tudor

[Mitch]

There was a hub cap tool floating around which was pricey but from reports it did the job nicely.
http://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/T1130.html

I just used a screwdriver and a hammer to bend every other tab and they have stayed in place.
I align my caps to the stem

Have heard of using a little rtv or those o-rings the vendors sell.
So choose your poison but tap the tang method tightly has worked for me

[BNCHIEF]

Thanks Mitch will go to town bet I can find some o-rings.

[Big hammer]

I used o-rings and a long punch and hammer, no rattles there :-)

[plyfor]

For '30-'31, I bend over a few tabs and use GE 30 min silicone dabs and for side mounts as well. The stuff is aggressive and needs a plastic spatula tool to help remove. The hubcap gaskets sold by the vendors were found not to stop rattles.
A question came up in another post about the acetic acid in the caulk. No adverse chemical reaction noted with enamel or powder coat finishes, and clean up is with paint thinner.

[1931 Flamingo]

You "gentlemen" can actually hear the hub caps rattle??
Paul in CT

[Mitch]

Yea MON there's no Wadio

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

YES there is a WADIO, an OLD Transistor with 2 weather channels, SO THERE!
On AM, it's a PERFECT Audio Oscillascope, to make sure you don't have a MISSFART
KDad Hearsgood

[tbirdtbird]

as mentioned above, only bend every other tab or less. Eventually they will break off, and then you can use the remaining tabs

[WMWS]

Be sure you lay the cap on a rug or something to hold it from moving when you tap to tabs down.

[BNCHIEF]

T-bird WMWS thanks for the tips.

[CountrySquire55]

I have a 31 Town Sedan. I used a rubber O-ring on each hubcap, laid the wheels on a piece of carpet to put some pressure on the hubcap, then using a long punch, bent over only four or five tabs on each hubcap (saving some tabs for future use). Hubcaps are set firmly on the wheels; no movement and no rattles.

[Mitch]

I didn't want to dent the hub cap so i just had someone hold the other side firmly

[Ray Horton]

I put my wheels on the lawn and tap down three tabs only. But I bend those tabs at their leading edge so they're tight. I use the lawn method for changing flats or putting on new tires also, and that keeps the caps protected. On old, stiff tires I can walk around or stomp on the backside of tires to break the bead and there is still no damage to the caps.

[Dave in MD]

I have a tire changing platform made from some 2 X 3 lumber and a piece of plywood. I cut an opening in the center and tacked some old carpet to protect the wheel. I placed a towel under the cap to hold it tight against the wheel and bent a few tabs and then put a dab of silicon on each bent tab. I used a long drift punch to bend the tabs.
Dave

[mshmodela]

I lost one, did what Mitch did until the tabs were all equally the same to ensure a tight fit... So far 2 years and a few hundred Cleveland Chuck/pot hole proven OK.

[ModelA Mike]

My father in-law used to put thin strips of duct tape on the rim, then put the caps on and use a long punch. I prefer using the o-rings, but with the California sun they only last about 1 year - but they are cheap.

[Greynomad]

I don't bend the tabs over. I believe that Ford in the day had the tabs set up so that the hub caps snapped in. Once they are right, they go on and come off easily and no rattles! If you doubt this, there are pictures about of Model As coming down the assembly line with wheels fitted but no hub caps. I'd post the picture if I could find it. Maybe someone else can!