Technical Fastening stock 13 inch wheel covers?

[Mangowit]

Hi All,
Fiat Panda and forum newbie here. I recently took the plunge and acquired a 2008 Panda. To spruce up the beauty a little, I purchased a set of original equipment wheel covers from Shop4Parts, which arrived in the mail yesterday. Now the question: How on earth do they stick to the steel wheel?? There are no retention rings, fasteners or anything. Any ideas? Thank you.

 

[J4MIE1243]

If it's the standard Fiat wheel trims, they are fixed through the wheel nuts. Or are they aftermarket ones?

I had a set of aftermarket ones that had a metal ring fitted inside, fitted on nice and securely.

 

[Mangowit]

Aha! Yes, they are the standard Fiat trims, but I opted for the ones fitted to a 2010-2011 model. Hmm, ok interesting concept of fastening through the wheel nuts. Won't the plastic break when you tighten the nuts then? Oh well, thanks so much for your reply.

 

[Wee Smurf]

They are held in place with the bolts. They're quite secure. No need for anything else to hold them in place.

 

[J4MIE1243]

Yeah they are fine, though I do find it annoying when you've put the wheel on, done the nuts up, used the torque wrench, then gone to put the wheel trim on....... Oops, done that multiple times!

I can confirm though that you can take the nuts back off, trims on, and nuts back on without having to jack it up again Don't think this has any negative consequences, someone with more knowledge than me can maybe confirm...

 

[Mangowit]

Thanks guys for all your replies. I'm looking forward to fitting the new tims!
Cheers

 

[varesecrazy]

Thanks guys for all your replies. I'm looking forward to fitting the new tims!
Cheers

put the wheel ON car hub,on "spikes"

install the 1 x bolt nearest tyre air valve,

then install the trim( should be a VALVE symbol in inner face of trim - and a larger HOLE - to pass over bolt)

then the 3 x remaining bolts

Charlie

 

[judderbar]

put the wheel ON car hub,on "spikes"

install the 1 x bolt nearest tyre air valve,

then install the trim( should be a VALVE symbol in inner face of trim - and a larger HOLE - to pass over bolt)

then the 3 x remaining bolts

Charlie

I am definately going to have to check that out! Will greatly simply a fiddly job.

Might also explain why without care I can get bad plastic cracking noises unless I put some of the bolts in and then move the plastic around a bit.

I have my doubts though. Have i really not noticed it? Besides we drive around all winter long with these things. Held by 3 bolts does not sound so good

Maybe we are talking about a different product here? Mine have a semi circular enlargement of an existing open area for the valve so there is no need to mark the valve position.

 

[varesecrazy]

I've had these style trims since my 1984 Regata, NEVER lost one yet..!!

"clip-in" ones:yuck: lost plenty..!!

Charlie

 

[judderbar]

I will go on record and say there is no way mine are only held tight by only 3 bolts. I can always eat humble pie if proven wrong.

Edit: I see this is in the Panda thread.......I was assuming this was some kind of standard Fiat cover

 

[Sweetsixteen]

The fourth hole in the wheel trim always looks broken, but it is designed like that to slide round the fourth bolt. It can be removed without undoing all four bolts.

 

[jrkitching]

Hmm, ok interesting concept of fastening through the wheel nuts. Won't the plastic break when you tighten the nuts then?

Not if you fit them correctly.

It's quite a clever design - the wheel bolts are tapered, and the holes in the trims are slightly oversize, so the trims are retained without putting any clamping force through the plastic.

As a result, and with the wheels correctly torqued, you should find that you can move the trims very slightly - this is perfectly normal and doesn't mean the wheels are loose.

I can confirm though that you can take the nuts back off, trims on, and nuts back on without having to jack it up again Don't think this has any negative consequences, someone with more knowledge than me can maybe confirm...

No.

Just no.

Not even if you leave the fourth bolt in place.

Wheels are designed to be torqued up progressively in a diagonal fashion, a little at a time, to ensure proper centering on the hub.

With the weight off the wheels, get it all assembled finger tight & be sure the trim is not being trapped by any of the bolts. Then, with the weight still off the wheels, tighten diagonally as much as you are able. Then lower the car, and progressively torque the bolts, again working diagonally, to the appropriate setting. Be particularly careful not to overtighten. If you've done this correctly, you'll still be able to move the trim slightly with everything tightened up.

 

[Wee Smurf]

Yeah they are fine, though I do find it annoying when you've put the wheel on, done the nuts up, used the torque wrench, then gone to put the wheel trim on....... Oops, done that multiple times!

I can confirm though that you can take the nuts back off, trims on, and nuts back on without having to jack it up again Don't think this has any negative consequences, someone with more knowledge than me can maybe confirm...

:nono: that's a very silly thing to do. If that's what you have done, I'd recommend undoing everything and doing it properly.

 

[judderbar]

Very tasty humble pie here

I took the wheel cover off without a jack put the valve position bolt back in, put the cover on tightened the bolts a bit and the cover could still be moved a bit then torqued the bolts and the cover could still be moved

No worries!

Had to see that to believe it though.

If you've done this correctly, you'll still be able to move the trim slightly with everything tightened up.

Incidently on my car the valve position has half of the plastic under the bolt missing under all 4 covers so when the cover is properly fitted there are 4 bolts holding the plastic in position. Like the man said I thought they were broken

 

[judderbar]

Re: Very tasty humble pie here

Incidently on my car the valve position has half of the plastic under the bolt missing under all 4 covers so when the cover is properly fitted there are 4 bolts holding the plastic in position. Like the man said I thought they were broken

I will go on record and say there is no way mine are only held tight by only 3 bolts. I can always eat humble pie if proven wrong.