1950 shoebox - wheel covers and hub dust covers

[dbdevkc]

I have a couple question on the wheel covers and hub dust caps for a 50 shoebox.

What is the trick to get the wheel covers back on without denting them? I'm using a rubber dead blow, and hitting as close to the edge/rim of the cover as I can. But it takes such a hard blow that if I am not exactly on the rim edge of the cover it will cause a dent.

For the hub/dust cover, the fronts have them, the rears don't. I want to have the option of running without the wheel covers and just nice shiny dust caps and lug nuts. The rear diameter for a dust cap seems to be 2.4" and I can't find anything in that size.

[19Fordy]

If the dust covers have a little metal raised bead near the bottom, use that surface and a flat blade screwdriver to gently tap on the dust cover.

[dbdevkc]

Clarification - The dust covers (only the front has them) are easy to put on/take off. The full 1950 wheel covers are a little tough to get off, but do-able... but putting them back on seems to be a problem for me.

[flatford8]

If you’re talking about the stock hub caps......I just start the cap over the bottom nubs on the wheel..... then with a glancing blow toward the outer diameter of the cap with the bottom of my fist, give it a thump....they’ve always popped on without a dent.......Mark

[paul2748]

It's been a long time since I had a shoebox ford, but dust covers on the rear axle ?? Is what your looking for - spider caps ??

[dbdevkc]

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Originally Posted by flatford8

If you’re talking about the stock hub caps......I just start the cap over the bottom nubs on the wheel..... then with a glancing blow toward the outer diameter of the cap with the bottom of my fist, give it a thump....they’ve always popped on without a dent.......Mark

Well - the stock wheeel covers, yes. Hub caps is what I call the axle dust covers underneath the wheel covers. But yes, mine are really tough to get on - a glancing blow with the bottom of my fist toward the outer diameter just doesn't cut it. It takes a really hard smack to get it over that last/third nub. I thought maybe there was a trick I was missing but I guess not.

[dbdevkc]

Originally Posted by paul2748

It's been a long time since I had a shoebox ford, but dust covers on the rear axle ?? Is what your looking for - spider caps ??

We want to run without the stock covers, but with polished dust caps and polished lug nuts. I'm not sure I like those spider caps... We have the lug nuts, and dust covers for the front, but I guess the read doesn't really need dust covers so there is nothing in the wheel center under the stock full wheel covers. We did just find something that might work, but we might need to give them a polish job.

[flatford8]

Do you know if you have after market hub caps?....maybe alter the rolled seam that slips over the wheel nubs?......a tap or two with a hammer and put that part over the last nub. Other than that, I’m no help. Can I ask what you found to cover the end of the rear axle? I’d like to do something like that, but I’m not a fan of the spider caps either......and I think they’re expensive.......Thanks......Mark

[Joe B.]

I too use the back of my fist to keep from denting them and dent my fist instead. Some seem to go on easier, not sure why. I look for a slightly out of round spot and put that over the nub.
And there's usually some wheel paint touch up after removal. The hubcaps (wheel covers) are the hardest step when removing a wheel, for me. They were made to stay on, that's for sure.

[mercman from oz]

1949-1950 Ford Hubcap

[mercman from oz]

It appears that there are two different 1949-1950 Ford Hubcaps.
I believe that the first releases were full Stainless Steel.
The revised Hubcaps were chromed over a steel base.
Check out these two Originals in my collection.