Impossible Hubcap!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 4
From: Hollidaysburg Pennsylvania
Impossible Hubcap!
I mounted my spare tire (6.70x15 bias) on the rear of my '58 but have invented some interesting new profanities trying to get the hubcap on the wheel. It's a factory original cap with no distortions and it fit my other wheel perfectly. However, this cap will not go on this wheel. It's the old bump-in-the-rug problem: pound one side in, the other side pops out. I've used considerable force but stopped when I felt myself shifting into Dave the Destroyer mode.
Have any of you C1 guys had a hubcap that wouldn't pop in? If so, how did you persuade it?
I've tried liquid soap, sanding the rim, having my wife hold the seated half, etc. Nothing works.
I'm counting on you guys to keep my head from exploding! Thanks!
Dave
Have any of you C1 guys had a hubcap that wouldn't pop in? If so, how did you persuade it?
I've tried liquid soap, sanding the rim, having my wife hold the seated half, etc. Nothing works.
I'm counting on you guys to keep my head from exploding! Thanks!
Dave
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
You HAVE ascertained that the wheel has the proper mounting 'nubs' around the circumference ? Correct ?
If the wheel is correct then I would refrain from pounding the edge with my palm (I've had some nice bruises from this). A rubber mallet works but can dent things -- the other alternative I know of is to get a fist sized gob of dum-dum and use it to whack the cap into place....less chance of dents but requires more "technique".
If the wheel is correct then I would refrain from pounding the edge with my palm (I've had some nice bruises from this). A rubber mallet works but can dent things -- the other alternative I know of is to get a fist sized gob of dum-dum and use it to whack the cap into place....less chance of dents but requires more "technique".
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
Likes: 4,592
From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
First I would look at the cap and make sure all the little tabs aren't bent, then look at the wheel to see if all the bumps are the same, with no rust. You could try a tiny bit of grease on the nubs. Then I would try another cap to see if it's the cap. Technique is important...put the bottom on first, (preferably with the valve stem on the bottom), and hold it with your knee and work your way up both sides until you get to the top. 
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 115
Likes: 1
From: Putnam County NY
I saw someone long ago use a rubber mallet wrapped with a couple old tee shirts to ease a piece of trim into place. I thought "what the hell is that thing gonna do?" when i saw it.
I tried it out, made one up and i'll tell ya its the damned best homemade hammer i've made. kinda replicated that lower palm whack without the pain.
I tried it out, made one up and i'll tell ya its the damned best homemade hammer i've made. kinda replicated that lower palm whack without the pain.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 114
From: Watkins Glen NY
My 65 has one wheel/hubcap like that....every time that I've had to put it back on, no single method works each time.
But it eventually goes on. The only tip I can offer from my experience is perseverance.
But it eventually goes on. The only tip I can offer from my experience is perseverance.
Last edited by champs65; Aug 6, 2012 at 08:25 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,937
Likes: 163
From: OP Kansas
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I'm sure you know this, but are you hitting the cap at 90º to the wheel? This method will make it difficult to get the cap on.
The preferred method is to hit the cap on the edge, at an angle towards the center of the wheel. It deforms the sheet metal just slightly and snaps back over the nub.
The preferred method is to hit the cap on the edge, at an angle towards the center of the wheel. It deforms the sheet metal just slightly and snaps back over the nub.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 4
From: Hollidaysburg Pennsylvania
I'm wondering about this term "nub." This wheel is smooth all the way around the circumference where the lip of the cap meets the wheel. Also, my hubcap doesn't have "tabs." It's just a flared edge all the way around.
Do any of you have a picture of a '58-'60 wheel and cap edge? I believe that those years are all the same. Thanks for the responses, guys.
Dave
Do any of you have a picture of a '58-'60 wheel and cap edge? I believe that those years are all the same. Thanks for the responses, guys.
Dave
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
Likes: 4,592
From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I'm wondering about this term "nub." This wheel is smooth all the way around the circumference where the lip of the cap meets the wheel. Also, my hubcap doesn't have "tabs." It's just a flared edge all the way around.
Do any of you have a picture of a '58-'60 wheel and cap edge? I believe that those years are all the same. Thanks for the responses, guys.
Dave
Do any of you have a picture of a '58-'60 wheel and cap edge? I believe that those years are all the same. Thanks for the responses, guys.
Dave
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
If you spare doesn't have the nubs your hubcap will never fit properly.
Strangely, I don't have a close up picture of a wheel that I can share with you
...but you can look at your OTHER four wheels to see the 'nubs'.
Strangely, I don't have a close up picture of a wheel that I can share with you
...but you can look at your OTHER four wheels to see the 'nubs'.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 861
Likes: 79
From: Clifton VA
Here is picture of the lugs/nubs that need to be on the wheels for the C1 full hubcaps to be retained on the wheel.
Make sure your spare wheel has the outer ones. There should be four of the outer nubs. The picture is of my 1960 corvette wheels.
The inner ones are for the smaller dog-dish hubcaps.
Make sure your spare wheel has the outer ones. There should be four of the outer nubs. The picture is of my 1960 corvette wheels.
The inner ones are for the smaller dog-dish hubcaps.
Last edited by dharris45; Aug 6, 2012 at 09:06 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 4
From: Hollidaysburg Pennsylvania
Rob, I have three nubs on the raised circular rib that runs between the hub and the valve stem. They're in a triangular pattern.
There are five nubs (if that's what they are) in the circle described by the five lug nuts, one in between each two nuts.
I should have looked at one of the other wheels to see what, if any, differences there are. I'll do that tomorrow.
Why do such simple tasks turn into such big deals? Geez.
Thanks for your responses, Rob.
Dave
There are five nubs (if that's what they are) in the circle described by the five lug nuts, one in between each two nuts.
I should have looked at one of the other wheels to see what, if any, differences there are. I'll do that tomorrow.
Why do such simple tasks turn into such big deals? Geez.
Thanks for your responses, Rob.
Dave
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
None of those nubs, are the ones you need. Look in the upper-right corner of the photo in the previous post - that's what you need.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 4
From: Hollidaysburg Pennsylvania
That picture settles it. I don't have those outer nubs on this spare. All I have are the three inner nubs. Thanks, dharris, for that pic. Now I won't have to ruin my hubcap slamming it with a rubber mallet.
Time for new tires all around. Thanks, again, guys. I can sure depend on you for fast solutions.
Dave
Time for new tires all around. Thanks, again, guys. I can sure depend on you for fast solutions.
Dave
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
I thought so !
Aren't you glad now that you didn't go 'medieval' pounding the hubcap on !?
Do NOT break the "Corvette Code" and tell your wife your mistake - especially since
you involved her in your efforts...
Aren't you glad now that you didn't go 'medieval' pounding the hubcap on !?
Do NOT break the "Corvette Code" and tell your wife your mistake - especially since
you involved her in your efforts...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
Likes: 4,592
From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Over the years a lot of cars ended up with any old spare wheel and tire that would fit in an emergency. Especially recently when one of those original wheels will bring 100+$. By the way 55 and 56 Chev passenger car wheels will work as well...same set up.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 4
From: Hollidaysburg Pennsylvania
Update: An observant gentleman on the NCRS board suggested that my "wrong" wheel might be an RPO 276 5-1/2" unit, which he says is valuable. Is there any way of verifying that possibility, short of removing the tire? Any idea of what it would b worth if it is an RPO 276 5-1/2"? Thanks.
Dave
Dave
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Well - it seems, if real, they are pricey that is, IF you can sell them!:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...ide-wheel.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...ide-wheel.html
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Update: An observant gentleman on the NCRS board suggested that my "wrong" wheel might be an RPO 276 5-1/2" unit, which he says is valuable. Is there any way of verifying that possibility, short of removing the tire? Any idea of what it would b worth if it is an RPO 276 5-1/2"? Thanks.
Dave
Dave
. Photos below show an RPO 276 5-1/2" wheel, including how the spider was riveted to the rim (the standard 5" wheels were welded). RPO 276 wheels typically bring around $1,000 each these days. 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 4
From: Hollidaysburg Pennsylvania
I should have made the "John" connection, John. :-) Thanks very much for those pictures. I took a closer look at my wheel and found some numbers, which may not mean anything, but here they are:
K169 [valve stem] 19 (on either side of the valve stem)
The K1 and 19 are also stamped one on top of the other on one arm of the spider (I think it's called). Then, on another spider arm there is a "3" and on another arm a "D."
I took a not-so-good picture of the back side of the wheel. It looks like the spider is welded in rather than riveted. Here's the pic:
Would this be a repro RPO 276? Thanks again, John.
Dave
K169 [valve stem] 19 (on either side of the valve stem)
The K1 and 19 are also stamped one on top of the other on one arm of the spider (I think it's called). Then, on another spider arm there is a "3" and on another arm a "D."
I took a not-so-good picture of the back side of the wheel. It looks like the spider is welded in rather than riveted. Here's the pic:
Would this be a repro RPO 276? Thanks again, John.
Dave