How to securely fix your hubcaps

Despite the advances of the hubcaps, as far as image is concerned, their fixation is still improvable. That is why it is necessary to resort to certain tricks, with which to better secure these decorative elements of your vehicle.

If we take a look at any of the vehicles we find parked on the street, it is likely that the same one has alloy wheels. However, this does not mean that the hubcaps are already part of history, since they are still common in many vehicles on the market. The problem with these elements is that, despite all that progress has been made in their design and appearance, they still have considerable fragility in their fastening system. So much so that a badly caught pothole with some depth blows up the tire’s hubcap and leads us to lose the piece.

Luckily, this problem also has a home remedy, with which we can fix the hubcaps safely and without losing them. Because it is quite annoying to spend time buying the best hubcaps (In this link you will find several products to analyze) as to lose them because of a pothole. In any case, when putting any of these systems into practice, it is essential to remember that the hubcaps should not be fixed permanently, since sooner or later you will have to access the hardware to change the tire or repair it. the same. 

using flanges

In recent times, flanges have become a very practical element that has a large number of applications. From the use to fix cables and different elements to each other to what the police give them to make arrests, the versatility and resistance of these small pieces of molded plastic is more than evident.

To fix a hubcap securely to your vehicle it is necessary to see both the area where the metal rim has the holes and the spaces that the hubcap has and the way in which these can fit. Once these spaces have been located, all we have to do is pass the flange through the inside of that hole, but taking care that the fastening area of ​​the flange remains on the outside. We complete the fastening by closing the flange on the hubcap, giving it the maximum tension and firmness possible. We will repeat the procedure on at least four of the sides of the wheel, preferably crosswise or in X, cutting the excess plastic from the flange. Do not forget to keep the valve area well protected, to avoid later problems.

Use of adhesives

Another alternative is the use of lightweight adhesives, which are strong enough to hold the hubcaps in place and prevent loss, but also maintain the ability to remove the hubcap once the tire needs to be handled. Among these fastening elements are silicone and other medium-hard adhesives, although we must always bear in mind that the chosen product is suitable for joining plastic and metal, which will be the two elements to be glued.

Additionally, this adhesive must be resistant to moisture, for rainy days or when we wash the car. And we cannot forget that the adhesive must be easy to remove or cut, when it is necessary to carry out maintenance work on your tires. Something that will lead you to have to replace the adhesive again, once you finish the maintenance of the wheels.

anti-theft bolts

If you have some time and skill, you may be interested in designing an anti-theft bolt system for your hubcaps. To do this, you will need two or four metal bolts of a certain size and thickness, as well as washers and screws that match them. Before starting, it should be mentioned that this system is only suitable for those flat hubcaps that have spaces that can allow the bolts to pass through, since drilling them is a complex task and can end up fracturing them.

To execute this assembly, you will have to start by welding the bolts on the corresponding area of ​​​​the rim, verifying that this weld is resistant and that it is executed in the correct areas of the rim. Once the bolts have been welded and cooled, all we have to do is mount the wheel to the vehicle, snap the hubcap into place by snapping the bolts into place, and complete the assembly. To do this, both the washers and the closing screws are mounted, which will prevent you from having problems both when fixing the hubcap and removing it when necessary.

Use of anti-theft hubcaps

In order not to have to fight with the hubcaps, there is one more alternative, which is the use of anti-theft hubcaps. These hubcaps have the advantage of having a design similar to that of alloy wheels, so that the hubcaps are attached directly to the bolts on which the wheel is supported. Being held by the wheel bolts, it is impossible for the hubcaps to be stolen and additionally, it is also impossible for them to be lost, unless they are split or broken.

The only drawback of these hubcaps is that their assembly is somewhat more complex than that of the conventional metal flange and ring models, since to install the hubcaps it is necessary to remove the bolts that hold the tires and then tighten them again. A process that you will have to repeat when carrying out maintenance operations, although with the advantage that this process is more standardized, unlike what happens when the bolts or the adhesive system that we have mentioned are used. In addition, there is also no need to replenish that adhesive or reattach the flanges to get the hubcap fixed in place again.

By the way, if you finally bet on this option, it is essential that you verify that the format of the hubcap is appropriate, both for the diameter of the rim and for the placement of the bolts with respect to the position of the hubcap. If you don’t, you may not be able to mount.