WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

. . .

Does anyone know any "tricks" to get a stock full wheel cover on a stock wheel ?

I've been using a rubber mallet and I can get most of it on - but not the final SMACK - it's too tight !!!

THANKS !!!

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

Steve,
sometimes he tabs on the inside (what actually holds the wheel cover on the wheel) bend outward and actually prevent the cover from going on all the way. Not corrected, the wheel cover will far off while driving down the road. To correct, just remove the cover and bend the tab(s) inward and install again. It may take several trys to get the tab(s) just right.

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

our chevy belair i bent the tabs further out so they would stay on the wheels so maybe need to bend them so there not so tight?

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

THANKS - that was going to be my next step - silicone spray didn't work.

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

Hit it harder???





:D

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

. . . .

Still haven't got them to stay on.

Below, is a picture of the back of the wheel cover. Those long tabs don't bend much.

There isn't too much paint on the wheel either, by now it's scratched down to the bare metal.

Any other suggestions on how I can get these things on ?!!!

. . . .

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

Are you sure those are "stock" wheel covers? Are they the backside of highlander covers? They don't look like regular c-10 wheel covers to me.

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

Yes, they are Highlander wheel covers but they should fit on the same 15 inch steel wheels that could have has the PO1's on them.

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

Yes they should fit, but when the people above were talking about the bent tabs, I don't think they had in mind highlander covers. I don't know any tricks for those style covers......Good luck.

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

the only thing i can think of is put the side where the valve stem goes on and then do th other sides... i have one 67 68 chevy full wheel cover that wont go on a rim and it is because the tabs are F'd but i havent tried to do a little "persuasion" lol

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

I've been putting the valve stem side on first - it's that last SMACK that just won't go on !!! I'm going to try to bend those edges a little more today and see if it will go on. I thought putting these wheel covers on was going to be the EASIEST thing I had to do !!! ( it's been a week now !!! )

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

My father insisted on having a set of Caprice wheelcovers on his G van and they were tight. I'd have to start them at the valve stem (at 6 o clock) but only enough to hook not seat. Then sitting on the ground with two feet holding the cover bottom edge at 5 and 7 o'clock, start wacking it in at the top at 12 then 11 and 1 while holding a lot of foot pressure. They would work into place but it usually took going around the cover twice or thrice to fully seat them. Never lost any though.

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

I bet they DID stay on !!! I've been doing just what you said - I'm going to try again later today !!! Thanks

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

wheel design changed starting 1971 to clear disc brakes/ so it might b possible that there is a problen with full hubcaps not fitting properly on some wheels

i dont know for sure as i've never been much of a hubcap guy tho:mm:

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

A rubber mallet may be of help in making them seat. Alignment and tire shops used to use them regularly back when cars had hubcaps.

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

These are NOT my original 70 wheels - we changed to front disc's with 5 lug pattern during the restoration and I think these are 71 or 72 wheels. Since these are 72 wheel covers, I thought there shouldn't be a problem. I'll check to see if it's hitting somewhere.

. . . and I HAVE been using a rubber hammer !!!

Below, are some pictures of the wheel - maybe someone will know what year it is for ( or what year it ISN'T !!! ) THANKS !!!

. . . .

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

Possible clearance issue on hub or wheel weight?

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

They aren't hitting the hub ( I can't get one to go on the back EITHER - no hub there ) and they clear the wheel weight.

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

put some heat behind that swing brotha..
think your just being a tad to carefull

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

I've been hitting HARD !!!

I've already added a few more dents to the edge of it !!!

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

are the covers for 16" wheels

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

I just got off of the phone with the guy who did the restoration ( and supplied the 5 lug wheels ) He said they were off of a 72 pickup that he used to have - SO, these Highlander wheel covers SHOULD go right on !!!

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

maybe the trucks telling you something

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

I'm sure it's trying to tell me to put some "cool wheels" on it.

I just bought these tires and don't have the money now to change it all over - it's just going to have to wait !!!

Below, is a picture of what it had from the factory - I thought the Highlander wheel covers would be an IMPROVEMENT !!!

. . . .

Re: WHEEL COVERS won't go on - any tricks ?
 

When I originally got my C/20, I got some (what I thought were) new replacement rims from Autogeek.com. Turns out they were cheap chinese knockoffs and the nubs for the hubcaps didn't quite lineup and the caps never fit. They weren't off by much, I was able to get 3/4 of the cap on, but it wouldn't go all the way. I got some used F*rd rims and they popped right on.
BTW, I think the dogdish hubcaps look better than the full ones, but that's just me...