Strange Hubcaps Issue - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**FleetsidePaul** · 03-16-2018, 12:27 PM

I put steelies and hubcaps on my truck 2 months ago. The caps fit snug and I don't have a problem with them when I'm driving the truck.

But twice when the truck has been parked over 3 days and not driven one of the caps will just pop off. I find them on the ground next to the wheel.

This has happened on two different wheels. One on the front and the other on the rear wheel.

I would think if I had an issue they would let loose while driving not after sitting and they seem to fit just fine.

I have stainless caps on repop Ford wheels (wider) I'm not sure if that may have something to do with it. It's weird they fit fine then just fall off out of the blue.

demian5 · 03-16-2018, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

I have stainless caps on repop Ford wheels (wider) I'm not sure if that may have something to do with it. It's weird they fit fine then just fall off out of the blue.

Yeah if they are Chevy caps, they would rather jump off than be on a Ford wheel.

sick472 · 03-16-2018, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demian5

Yeah if they are Chevy caps, they would rather jump off than be on a Ford wheel.

Now that's funny.

Paul, you got something strange going on, I'll admit. Any chance you got an ornery neighbor kid? Too good to steal the caps, but not good enough to leave them on the truck? Look for witness marks on the rims where a tire tool would have been used to remove them. Have you got a game camera? Maybe you could get some video of them "just poppin off". That would be eerie!

**Steeveedee** · 03-16-2018, 02:33 PM

Make sure all your lug nuts are still tight. Could be somebody messing with you.

**FleetsidePaul** · 03-16-2018, 07:50 PM

I don't think it's a neighbor since I just moved 200 miles and it happened at both houses.

sick472 · 03-17-2018, 08:25 AM

Try comparing a Ford cap to your chevy cap and see if there is a noticeable difference where they snap on. The only thing I can think of besides that is temperature changes over night that would cause the cap to shrink up more than the rims and the added pressure at the fit is causing them to squeeze themselves off. Do they go on easy? Maybe they are too loose, or if they are too tight, this would aid in my shrinking theory. FYI, when metal cools down, it shrinks and a cap may shrink more than a wheel causing an even tighter fit. This could work for the snugness of the fit or against it if the nubs on the wheels are angled such that they allow the cap to push itself off.

Quite a mystery!

03-16-2018, 12:27 PM	#1
FleetsidePaul R.I.P. E.S.L.L. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kernville CA./ Lake Isabella CA. Posts: 11,418	Strange Hubcaps Issue I put steelies and hubcaps on my truck 2 months ago. The caps fit snug and I don't have a problem with them when I'm driving the truck. But twice when the truck has been parked over 3 days and not driven one of the caps will just pop off. I find them on the ground next to the wheel. This has happened on two different wheels. One on the front and the other on the rear wheel. I would think if I had an issue they would let loose while driving not after sitting and they seem to fit just fine. I have stainless caps on repop Ford wheels (wider) I'm not sure if that may have something to do with it. It's weird they fit fine then just fall off out of the blue. __________________ 1971 Custom C/20 1970 CST 20 1970 C/30 Flatbed 1983 C/30 Dually 2015 Corvette Z51 2021 Corvette Z51 1991 Cadillac Hearse 1982 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz 2000 Porsche Boxster S 2020 Jeep Gladiator 1973 VW Thing 1973 Plymouth Satellite wagon 1963 Baja Bug 1959 Bug Dune Buggy 1970 Baja Bug 1987 Jaguar XJ 350. R.I.P. El Jay R.I.P Jessie. R.I.P Grumpy. Every day is a gift from God.

03-16-2018, 02:33 PM	#4
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,724	Re: Strange Hubcaps Issue Make sure all your lug nuts are still tight. Could be somebody messing with you. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

03-16-2018, 07:50 PM	#5
FleetsidePaul R.I.P. E.S.L.L. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kernville CA./ Lake Isabella CA. Posts: 11,418	Re: Strange Hubcaps Issue I don't think it's a neighbor since I just moved 200 miles and it happened at both houses. __________________ 1971 Custom C/20 1970 CST 20 1970 C/30 Flatbed 1983 C/30 Dually 2015 Corvette Z51 2021 Corvette Z51 1991 Cadillac Hearse 1982 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz 2000 Porsche Boxster S 2020 Jeep Gladiator 1973 VW Thing 1973 Plymouth Satellite wagon 1963 Baja Bug 1959 Bug Dune Buggy 1970 Baja Bug 1987 Jaguar XJ 350. R.I.P. El Jay R.I.P Jessie. R.I.P Grumpy. Every day is a gift from God.

03-17-2018, 08:25 AM	#6
sick472 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Sedalia Mo. Posts: 1,131	Re: Strange Hubcaps Issue Try comparing a Ford cap to your chevy cap and see if there is a noticeable difference where they snap on. The only thing I can think of besides that is temperature changes over night that would cause the cap to shrink up more than the rims and the added pressure at the fit is causing them to squeeze themselves off. Do they go on easy? Maybe they are too loose, or if they are too tight, this would aid in my shrinking theory. FYI, when metal cools down, it shrinks and a cap may shrink more than a wheel causing an even tighter fit. This could work for the snugness of the fit or against it if the nubs on the wheels are angled such that they allow the cap to push itself off. Quite a mystery! __________________ He who is without oil shall throw the first rod. Compressions 8.7:1 1972 C10 1976 C10 (parts truck) 1985 K20



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