Yesterday, while my checking tires, I found a hubcap on my tag about to fall off. Two bolts were missing and the other two were wobbly loose. I have had these things off and replacing them has taken me a day and a half on one occasion and a whole day on another. On both occasions I just lucked into getting them seated, sorta wiggle here, wiggle there, over and over and over and over.... What is the secret of getting the nuts and bolts seated into the notched brackets on the wheel? What do I ask for when searching for replacement bolts?
Anxious to get on the road.
If they are like these, T. Kane Enterprises - Home of the Ulitmate Axle Cover (http://www.tkane.com) back the nuts off until they are nearly flush with end of the screws. I grab the hubcap with both hands hands, a thumb on one screw head and my ring or middle finger on the other. Line it up with the slots and slip it on almost square but with one set of two screws slightly ahead. As you feel them slip in to the slots, work the other side in with a bit of wiggling, all the while applying pressure to keep the flat head hex screws seated in the hole so as to keep the nuts clear of the bracket slots. once both sets of slots are engaged, you can let go of the screw heads and bump it in with the heel of your hand or a soft mallet ( I prefer to use my hands). You might need to angle the screw a bit with the hex key to get the nut to stop spinning around with the screw until the dimple in the nut grabs the edge of the slot, preventing it from turning as you tighten it up. As I recall, they are ¾" X ¼" X ¼"-20 tpi flat head stainless steel socket cap screws, but they might be an inch long. You can get the screws at Lowes, ¼" X ¾" X quarter-20 flat head socket cap screws (http://www.lowes.com/pd_449663-37672-44045_0+1z0wwox__?productId=4193629&Ntt=stainless+steel+flat+head+socket+cap+screw&Ns=p_product_price|0&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_price%7C0%26Ntt%3Dstainless%2Bsteel%2Bflat%2Bhead%2Bsocket%2Bcap%2Bscrew%26page%3D1&facetInfo=1/4-in) but don't lose the nuts or you will have to get a flange nut and put a dimple in it with a cold chisel to replace it.
Don
The in thing out here in the West is to remove the big old nasty Hub Caps and replace them with Baby Moons that just fits over the Axle Hub. With this mod you can monitor your axle bearing temp when you stop either by touch or a IR Gun.
Silicone
Fredi, how do you attach them and where do you get them?
Well, I was just answering the question asked. Myself, I love the t-kane axle covers. Quick on and off once you get the hang of it, makes the wheels much easier to clean. They are expensive, but made out of quality stainless steel (no plastic). And I like the clean and simple look of them, but that is just me...
Don
Yes, Don, these are the ones! Thanks, just as I suspected, wiggle, wiggle. I guess that I just hanen't got the hang of it yet. Appreciate the nuances of holding the heads of the bolts, etc. This is the detail I was missing. Will get me some new bolts at Lowes and give it a go.
Don, a fellow at T Kane Enterprises called me back. He explained the attachment exactly as you described. I was able to get the screws (bolts) at Lowes and I jury rigged one nut (had three) with a hex nut and a lock washer. See how it holds up. They are sending me some replacement scored flanged nuts, FREE.
Sure appreciate your help!
^.^d I am glad you got it worked out!
Don