Styling Centre cap trims for steel wheels

[DaveMcT]

To save the alloys, I have just fitted a set of 6J x 15 steels to the 100HP. I need to bling up the centres and wheel nuts as it looks like a van.

The wheels fit the hub centre boss so there is no space for a trim cap. Dose anyone have any suggestions?


I dont want to fit ordinary wheel trims.

 

[DaveMcT]

I'm thinking maybe a top had shape that's retained by the wheel nuts with a cap in the middle to carry a logo sticker.

These are 56mm dia https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=312917044055

Any suggestions for the caps?

 

[A3jeroen]

Never really tried, but I've been thinking of Doblo centrecaps when I had steel winterwheels on my Stilo.

gr J

 

[rmjbn1]

I was talking to @testacorsa about this recently, I know he uses MINI R50 centre caps, as shown (fitted to his blue 1.2) here

He sent a link to them: https://www.outmotoring.com/winter-tire-hub-cap.html

I was thinking of getting some and occasionally check for used ones, but I understand they need a bit of minor modification / gentle persuasion to fit.

There was an Abarth 500 winter kit with 16" steels and centre caps. Quite fetching I thought:

I also found these on my travels, but no idea where they got them and a bit bling for my tastes:

 

[DaveMcT]

My wheels are that style.

They fit the hub centre boss. Maybe I goofed and should have got wheels with 2 mm clearance to make room for the caps.

Maybe something like this with the correct logo.

 

[testacorsa]

rmjbn1 DaveMcT

True, they can be persuaded to fit. They are made for 4x100, but will almost fit 4x98.
Long story short: I bought mine used in Germany on the way to Nürburgring. I also bought new tires to fit the 6x15 steelies I painted. I didn't bring any tools, but I couldn't wait to fit the hubcaps to complete the look I had planned for so long, so I just put them on and kept tightening the wheel bolts until they were very snug. That resulted in a slight squaring of the hub cap, but only the lower part. It isn't visible at all when mounted. Should I do it again, I would use a dremel to remove just a smidge from four opposite points on the hubcap.

To me they look the bizzz :slayer:

Btw, I used a permanent market to cover the MINI logo

 

[DaveMcT]

Ive ordered a set of these. More than I wanted to spend but needs must.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-VW-Steel-Wheel-Rim-Centre-Plastic-Cap-Cover-Black-Nos-871601171/302343663266?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160811114145%26meid%3D91105584e4244e19b110208c553f9c97%26pid%3D100667%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D8%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D302343663266%26itm%3D302343663266%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2334524&_trksid=p2334524.c100667.m2042

and these -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4x-Sticker-Fiat-Wheel-Centre-Cap-Stickers-56mm-Set-Of-4-3D-Logo-Blue-Silver/312917044055?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Then some bling covers for the wheel bolt heads.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20-x-Chrome-Wheel-Bolt-Nut-Covers-17mm-Fits-Fiat-500-includes-Abarth-2008-2019/254136074486?epid=21029610171&hash=item3b2bb0c0f6:g:7TAAAOSw~5ZcUhY3

They wont work on the locking nuts but are they really needed?


Has anyone got a spare ordinary wheel bolt? Ive only got three in the locking bolts box

 

[testacorsa]

That will look good too im sure ?

 

[DaveMcT]

The black VW trims arrived. The logo is easily ground off with a flap wheel and I have Fiat logo stickers to cover the front face.

The caps are intended to clip into the wheel centre as expected. I think the solution is to trim off the clips and screw the flanges to the wheel using the two brake disc retaining threads (M8). Stainless socket flange heads will do the job nicely. Black screws are available if I decide to leave the plastic as is.

The wheels will be painted silver. I have not yet decided if the caps should be left black or painted silver.

Note - The M8 pegs used to retain the brake discs are there for convenience only. The discs are actually held in place by the wheel bolts.

 

[DaveMcT]

Does anyone have any ordinary wheel bolts kicking about? I need four to replace the cruddy locking bolts.

 

[DaveMcT]

I've primed and painted the wheels using Halford's "Stainless steel" wheel paint. It's verging on samey with the body colour but its growing on me.

The centre trim tops were cleaned off with a well worn angle grinder disc to remove the VW logo. The plastic is tough so It took a while but the result is flat. They were "Plastigrip" primed and painted with bright silver.

The trims in full silver just didn't look right so the flanges were over-painted with satin black. The Fiat roundels are an ideal fit so it looks OEM.

The image shows stainless retaining screws but the black trims are now retained with black finish M8 bolts into the disc alignment pin holes. This will be inconvenient for wheel changing, so plan to thread the pin ends and use dome nuts.

The wheel bolts look horrible so I have some trim caps on order. Worth a try at £5 for 20 .

Incidentally, the disc retaining pins are on the same 98mm PCD as the wheel lug bolts.

Final pix with blinged lug bolts and black trim retainers to follow.

 

[Wazzzer]

Really liking them mate

 

[DaveMcT]

New wheel bolts for 500/Panda are around £20 a set. I was planning to use chrome trim covers to hide the dull rusting zinc and came across these.

Torx screws with the correct taper and thread size.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20-x-Chrome-Tuner-Alloy-Wheel-Bolts-M12x1-25-fits-Fiat-500-Abarth/113225150593?epid=16023171056&hash=item1a5cbeb081:g:jWUAAOSw9elbhoNd

 

[callisr]

I've primed and painted the wheels using Halford's "Stainless steel" wheel paint. It's verging on samey with the body colour but its growing on me.

The centre trim tops were cleaned off with a well worn angle grinder disc to remove the VW logo. The plastic is tough so It took a while but the result is flat. They were "Plastigrip" primed and painted with bright silver.

The trims in full silver just didn't look right so the flanges were over-painted with satin black. The Fiat roundels are an ideal fit so it looks OEM.

The image shows stainless retaining screws but the black trims are now retained with black finish M8 bolts into the disc alignment pin holes. This will be inconvenient for wheel changing, so plan to thread the pin ends and use dome nuts.

The wheel bolts look horrible so I have some trim caps on order. Worth a try at £5 for 20 .

Incidentally, the disc retaining pins are on the same 98mm PCD as the wheel lug bolts.

Final pix with blinged lug bolts and black trim retainers to follow.

They look awesome

 

[chris3234]

Personally can say is want such thing on my car look to easy to damage the internal star part and if you lost the key you'd be in trouble

 

[DaveMcT]

It's not specified but looks like a Torx fastener. These willl take far more abuse than a hex key but MUST have the correct key. I will be getting a 1/2" drive Torx key to use with the extending wheel wrench I keep in the car. If its a special, the key will go into a little storage box as I used to do with the security bolt key.

Torx fasteners get damaged because the size one-under will often feel like it fits. The trick is always to try the next size up before applying any load. One time out of three, the larger key fits and you've dodged a bullet.

 

[DaveMcT]

Final pictures with the Torx wheel bolts and black M8s holding the trims.

Now waiting for warmer weather to paint the front bumper.

 

[DaveMcT]

I've found some black finish stainless nylock M8 dome nuts and washers. The M8 bolts do the job fine but the discs/drums do turn on the hub making wheel fitting a hassle.

Nuts - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-Stainless-Steel-Nuts-Dome-Wing-Cap-Nyloc-Full-Thin-Flange-M3-M4-M5-M6-M8/323994006259?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=513036511077&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Washers - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A2-BLACK-Stainless-Steel-M8-Penny-Mudguard-Repair-Washers/321702325904?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=510603701222&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

They will need some long grub screws with half nuts to replace the disc/drum retaining bolt/pins.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=231343937165&_sacat=0

 

[nitramtpr]

New wheel bolts for 500/Panda are around £20 a set. I was planning to use chrome trim covers to hide the dull rusting zinc and came across these.

Torx screws with the correct taper and thread size.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20-x-Chrome-Tuner-Alloy-Wheel-Bolts-M12x1-25-fits-Fiat-500-Abarth/113225150593?epid=16023171056&hash=item1a5cbeb081:g:jWUAAOSw9elbhoNd

Dave....will these fit the standard 100 alloys, are are they for steelies only?

Ta.

 

[DaveMcT]

These trims are getting hard to find, but the back is flat, sitting around the steel wheel lug-bolt heads. Wont work with OEM 100HP alloys.