Chevy Hubcaps Wheel Covers Information
Chevrolet hubcaps have gone through many
changes in the last few years. The day of the
stainless steel hubcap that you could kick on
with your foot are over. Today's Chevy wheel
covers (like all other makes) are now all
constructed from plastic and have employed a
variety of retention systems. Some of these
systems are good, some are bad, but each
requires specific installation techniques and
special care while installing to ensure long
term retention. For late model Chevrolet, there
are three different attachment systems.
Basic snap on wire retention
Mostly this system was used on early
to mid 90's and back Chevy's, however the Chevy
Prizm, Aveo
and the Chevy
Metro still use this snap on clip system. On this type ( Fig. A) there are a
series
of
plastic
clips
and a
wire
that
runs
between
the clip
around
the back
diameter
of the
hubcap.
Fig.
A
These wheel covers are easy to snap
on. Once the wheel covers is correctly aligned with the valve
stem opening, one just simply taps the hubcap into place. There is a groove
in the wheel rim in which the plastic clips seat, the wire keeps a constant
pressure on the clips holding the wheel cover in place.
Loss of these wheel covers occurs
when the plastic tabs are broken causing the wheel cover to become loose, so
care must be taken when installing. Once these tabs are broken, the hubcap will
no longer remain secure and will need replacement. 90-94
Lumina hubcaps were notorious for this problem.
We recommend using a rubber mallet or
the back of a fist to "tap" them into place when installing. Do not use
excessive force, the hubcaps should snap into place with moderate pressure.
Chevy hubcaps that bolt on behind lugs
Some of the mid 90's
Chevrolets such as the Beretta,
Corsica
and the Cavalier
used this type of hubcap attachment system. In my opinion, this was the best system ever
and unless the installation was completely hosed, it was virtually impossible to
lose these wheel covers. Simply, the wheel covers were held on by the lug nuts.
Installation takes a bit more work, but the extra effort is worth the knowledge
that you should never under normal circumstances loose them.
Most believe that
you have to jack up the car and remove all of the lugs
nuts in order to install this type of hubcap, but that is simply not true.
As you can see( Fig B), two of the holes in this Cavalier hubcap are large than
the others. You only need to remove the lugs from the three smaller holes. The
lugs in the two larger holes can remain on the car, as the holes are large
enough that the hubcap will slide over them.
Fig. B
Once the hubcap
is in place and
the lugs are
reinstalled, the
decorative
little plastic
caps will them
thread down onto
the lug nut, as
these lug nuts
have outside
threads (Fig.D below). The installation is now complete.
Chevy hubcaps that screw on to the lug nuts
The third and most common hubcap retention system uses plastic caps
(fig. C) that attach to the hubcap and thread on to the lug nuts. The lug
nuts on these vehicles (fig. D) have outside threads that accommodate the
plastic caps.
Most every late
model GM
passenger car
and mini van
currently use
this system
Fig. C
plastic caps
Fig. D GM
threaded lug
Installation of these wheel covers is
easy. Line up the wheel cover to the lug nuts being careful to ensure the valve
stem is lined up with the slot that has been precut into the wheel covers. If
you turn the hubcap over, there is usually a notch indicating where the valve
stem should go (fig. E
Fig E.
valve stem slot
Using a 3/4" socket or lugs wrench, thread the caps onto the lugs.
Do not over tighten them or use any kind of air tool as this will strip out the
threads, possibly causing a future loss. These lug caps only need to be snug
tight.
There are numerous websites on the net that state "center cap not included" or do not show an emblem on the photo of the
hubcaps. All of our factory original hubcaps and wheel covers come complete with the Chevy logo, center
caps (if applicable) and any attachment caps that are needed. Any replica style will be clearly marked in the picture and on the order page. We don't like deception and
would love for you to return to us for all your hubcap and wheel needs.
For more information such as determining your correct Chevrolet hubcaps size and other
question, please visit our FAQ and article page. For further discussion or questions, give us a call at
800-301-5814. As always, we are happy to help.
Aveo hubcaps
Beretta hubcaps
Camaro hubcaps
Caprice hubcaps
Cavalier hubcaps
Celebrity hubcaps
Corsica hubcaps
Impala hubcaps
Lumina hubcaps
Malibu hubcaps
Metro hubcaps
Monte Carlo hubcaps
Nova hubcaps
Prizm hubcaps
Venture hubcaps
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