S/S wheel center

289kford · March 9, 2009 at 8:18 AM

Is there a replacement insert available for the 65-66 styled steel wheel centers?

66gtk · March 9, 2009 at 8:29 AM

Heck, I'd be happy with a solution to keep mine on the wheels!!! I like how they fall off in my hand during washing and/or while I'm driving down the road - "Jeez, I had a center cap there when I left home..."

round2K_old · March 9, 2009 at 12:09 PM

If you get the larger fender-style washers you can keep them in place. Once I have them secured and the screws are snug I put a little dab of silicone on the screw head where it meets the washer; this is an old off-road racing trick to keep the screws from shaking loose. I never did understand why Ford felt two screws would work when it was obvious they should have had three.

C6ZZKGT · March 9, 2009 at 12:28 PM Official Post

My biggest problem with the Ford replacement caps is that they tend to separate the backing from the main cap as soon as you start to tighten the screws. At least the repro ones are held together with rivets rather than swedged over pot metal like the Ford ones. I have had some luck with using epoxy to help bond the backing with the cap. The screws from Ford come with a fair sized washer however Daves idea of a larger washer is also an improvement. I have about 10 NOS sets of these in stock myself so I probably can keep my two Kars going for a while. I actually do have far more than I need.

-Fred-

round2K_old · March 9, 2009 at 1:47 PM

On the NOS caps I finally ran a bead of silicone around the inner edge of the backs to keep them from flying apart. Nothing worse than watching your centers go pinging down the road when they leave your wheels!

CharlesTurner · March 9, 2009 at 1:53 PM

Quote

On the NOS caps I finally ran a bead of silicone around the outer edge of the rear to keep them from flying apart. Nothing worse than watching your centers go pinging down the road when they leave your wheels!

Well, you know... with all that torque and everything

66gtk · March 9, 2009 at 2:02 PM

Quote from round2K

If you get the larger fender-style washers you can keep them in place. Once I have them secured and the screws are snug I put a little dab of silicone on the screw head where it meets the washer; this is an old off-road racing trick to keep the screws from shaking loose. I never did understand why Ford felt two screws would work when it was obvious they should have had three.

Got a picture or size spec (so I can get a set at the Hardware store) of a "larger fender style" washer? I'm having difficulty picturing what you are talking about. Also, seems that would necessitate a rebalance - we know how fun that is with SS wheels ):

I've also had 2 of them "seperate" as described in this thread. After carefully JB welding them back together, they would pop off when tightening the cap to the wheel (UUGGHHH!!!!)

GT Joe_old · March 9, 2009 at 5:26 PM

The silicon method works well... let it dry completely before installing the cap onto the rim. Also I have used Locktite on the screws in the past.

Joe.

round2K_old · March 9, 2009 at 8:05 PM

Quote from 66gtk

Also, seems that would necessitate a rebalance - we know how fun that is with SS wheels ):

You can find fender washers at any OSH in their bulk hardware area. You're looking for something with a slightly larger OD than the standard washer.

As for wheel balance, it's not an issue becuase it's so little weight and at the center of the wheel. They can't balance the tires off the car with the centers in anyway:) I recommend Road Force balancing if you've never tried it; as at better shops and you'll find they have the machine to do it.

66KGT_old · March 9, 2009 at 9:38 PM

Quote from round2K

On the NOS caps I finally ran a bead of silicone around the inner edge of the backs to keep them from flying apart. Nothing worse than watching your centers go pinging down the road when they leave your wheels!

I used gorilla glue...

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