Technical The Wheelsmith hub install??????????????

Guys,

I am in the final stages of ****oning up my truck and these damn center caps are giving me issues. 16" steelies from the Wheelsmith, that they powder coated for me. I also purchased center caps from them as well and they are impossible to get on. I have called the wheelsmith already and they told me to grind off the buildup of the powder coat then beat on it. Well I've cleared out the powder build up but this is not going on. I have already ruined one, this is ******* me off..

Any of you guys have any secrets or photos of what you did to your wheels to get these to work?

Thanks

 

I would have to be there but what I normally do is look for a reason the caps won't go on then deal with the problem. You want them to be pretty snug though if that is any help.

Are they caps that fit inside the hole like say a Chevy rally wheel or to they snap over nubs or clips?

 

There are three little nubs around the OD of the hub. Caps are snapped over and retained by these.

 

Carefully take a pair of pliers or a pick hammer and message the hub cap where it goes over the nubs. I have done that before.

I hate to say this but sometimes it is just a patter of holding your mouth right. I know it sounds cr*** but I really think that sometimes that is the case. Also use you palm to strike the cap into place, I have seen people use a rubber mallet and I am just to heavy handed for that palm works best for me.

 

Just a thought, not written in stone..Are you sure the caps are the right dia for the wheels? I have seen different 10-1/8 and 10-1/4 listing for caps...I have Wheelsmith wheels and they said the tabs were at 10-1/4 and any 10-1/4 Ford dog dish would fit and it is so..Did you make a puller to get the caps off? Especially if wheels are deep.