I recently removed the bias ply tires from my '61 and mounted radials (Diamondback 205/75R15). The difference in the ride is dramatic. Now the hubcaps fly off on a regular basis like some alien projectile. I have read about this phenomenon in the past. What causes this and how can I keep the hubcaps on? The tires were mounted and balanced by a guy that I have used on a regular basis over the years. Any thoughts would be much appreciated - thanks - Brad B.
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Re: flying hubcaps - C1
The radial tires cause the wheels to flex and make them more prone to hubcap problems. First question is whether you have the corect style wheels. -
Re: flying hubcaps - C1
Brad,
As Ed said the wheels are flexing.
You may be able to help the situation by carefully bending the inside rim of the hubcap to increase tension where it snaps over the "nubs" on the wheel. I used a pair of pliers to bend that rim out. It will make the hubcap harder to put on and hopefully harder to come off. If you do this, bend it a little at each of the four locations, test and bend more if you need to.
I cured the problem by getting late 60's Camaro rallye wheels, welding nubs on and grinding them to shape. The rallye wheels are stronger (flex less) and the larger nubs hold the caps on. I have not lost a cap since.
VerleComment
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Re: flying hubcaps - C1
i use the dog dish caps to solve the flex problem. Look "meaner" as well.mikeComment
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Re: flying hubcaps - C1
Verle - maybe part of the problem is there are no "nubs" on the wheel - I don't recall any when reinstalling the hubcaps. Are they easily recognizable? I also noticed that the rim I believe you are referring to goes the entire circumference of the hubcap, not at four locations as you mention. I don't know if the wheels are original (sounds like they aren't) and I have paperwork showing the hubcaps were purchased in 1986 from Chicago Corvette.Comment
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Re: flying hubcaps - C1
The caps you describe sound correct, the problem is the wheels need the "Nubs" which can be addes as described in a previous post.Bill Clupper #618Comment
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Re: flying hubcaps - C1
I have heard this wheel flex theory, but frankly I am not convinced that it is true. Anyone want to attempt to explain it to me. Maybe this is an idea for Myth Busters.Comment
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Re: flying hubcaps - C1
Wayne -
My '57 had the original 4-nub 15x5 rims on it, and I never had any wheel cover issues at all when it had 6.70-15 bias-ply tires on it. When I switched to 205/75-15 radials (on the same rims), I never lost one, but the wheel covers would rotate on the rim until the valve stems were bent about 45 degrees. Tried all the usual fixes, none of which worked, until I had steel/O-ring valve stems installed; that didn't stop the rotation, but it provided a positive stop without worrying about leaking or failed valve stems. I can only attribute the wheel cover rotation to additional lateral loading of the rim from the radial tire construction, as that's the only thing that changed.Comment
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Re: flying hubcaps - C1
Brad,
I put diamondback radials on my '59, and you're right, the ride difference is significant. I sanded and black lacquered the rims. A friend, "Powder-coated" his, and wish's he hadn't. The wheel disks are very very hard to get on and off. On my car the full wheel disks did tend to walk a little, but as mentioned by other owners, just give that inside band a twist all away around,also I scraped the paint off the nubs, so it has a clean, sharp edge. TomComment
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Re: flying hubcaps - C1
Thanks, John, but do you or anyone else know the mechanics of the additional loading. Radial side walls are softer and more flexible in a turn. It would seem that there would be more cushioning on rebound and in a sharp sudden turn. I dont see how there would be any more loading, it may be distributed out on the rim in a diffrent manner. But the fact is that if you have a rim sliding sideways with tires of the same size and coefficient of friction, there can not be any difference in the total load. I know that its not that simple, and test would have to be devised to take into account all of the variables, but I am still not convinced that there is any additional flex in a wheel.Comment
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Re: flying hubcaps - C1
Turns out the rims on the car have no nubs. So I guess the hubcaps have nothing to grab onto. Temporary solution has been to apply silicone at the 4 general locations on the nubs and install the hubcaps - worked great so far! What is interesting is I never had a problem with bias ply tires.Comment
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