Hubcap Problem

[Pat-New York]

This is my question, my 59 Ford keeps losing the full dish Sunburst hubcaps now and then, usually going around a long curved ramp,left or right,don't matter. Is it because I still have the stock rims,with radial tires on them ? Or are the hubcaps worn ? Last one fell off two weeks ago, going straight. Went back and found it in the woods. Any help is appreciated. Thanks,Pat-New York.

[John T]

Ford did have a problem in loosing caps in different years. One cure is to center punch the wheel where the hub cap prongs sit. It may take quite a few center punch marks.
I can't make out if that is a conv. or a hardtop. I bought a brand new 59 Ford Conv. black on black and interior was black, gold and white if I remember correctley.

[Merc Cruzer]

I had the same issue on my 53' Merc when I put radials on it. I could only go 2-3 blocks before the front ones were rolling down the road. The back ones always stayed on. I had to go to the Dog Dish hub caps to get them to stay on. I put the blame on the radials and the flex in the rims.

[50 merc]

I had the same problem and then someone told me to use goop, well it has been three years and not one lost hub cap. It is an elastomeric product so it is easy to get the caps off if needed.

[Pat-New York]

Thanks John T, Merc Cruzer, & 50 Merc. 1st, it's a 2 dr H.T. Gold,Black,&White interior. 2nd,I also put on dog dish caps from 58-59 I found in N.J. They are like early takeoffs,real nice, but I like the full dish caps better,I'll use the dog dish for awhile. 3rd,I'll have to give the goop a try. Do you apply the goop to the rim,or the hubcap ?

[John T]

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Pat,
I have heard of the goop and some complain that it makes a mess. With a center punch it just takes a little while to to center punch the wheels where the cap prongs points scratch and they are perrmanent on the wheels. The wheels can be painted and the punch marks remain.

[50 merc]

I put the goop on the cap but just a bit on the contact surface. It can make a mess if you are messy. If you do get a bit of squish I just use a bit of solvent and wipe it before it drys. When you take off the cap the goop will peel away like an elastic band. The stuff is cheap and I have not had to purchase or go looking for a cap in threey years or 15k of miles.

[Pat-New York]

Thanks Guys, I do appreciate all your help. Down the road I may have other questions ? But this is what it is all about. Someday I may be able to help someone else. Thanks again....Pat

[jimvette59]

Hi, I don't have a Ford but had the same problem with a Chevrolet. To make a long story short I had to use early corvette rims with the nubs around the area where the hub cap makes contact. Some people put a small weld 3/8" bead in 6 or 8 spots. I hope this helps.

[Pat-New York]

Thanks jimvette59, that's another option ! I appreciate all the help. Pat

[Marv]

I had a white Galaxie 500 2dr back in my younger days and i had that problem. I bent the tabs out on the hubcaps. I am not saying i never lost another hubcap but it helped a lot. I will have to admit that the way i drove that car it is a wonder that i did not lose the wheels, and i actualy did tear the sidewall out of a Goodyear Double Eagle on the left front in a sharp curve, but did not wreck it. They were bias ply tires. Marv

[Pat-New York]

Thanks Marv. I'm still using the dog dish for now. I may have to find out what year Ford 14" rim will accept Radial Tires,that I could still use the Sunburst Hubcap ? Or down the road,change to a newer Chrome Wheel without the hubcaps.

[36 flathead]

had the same problem on 54 ford with radials. I used a couple dabs of rtv between wheel and caps. works good

[Bill Steiner]

Bend the sharp part of the prongs to fit tighter. Can make them harder to get on. Bill

[Pat-New York]

Thanks again guys. What is rtv ? Same as goop ? I did try bending the tabs out,and they still came off. But I'll use the dog dish for now, they look OK, but not like top of the line for the year !

[raceron1120]

RTV is Room Temperature Vinyl, aka silicone sealer/adhesive - at least that's what I've always been told.

Great multi-purpose stuff when used properly

[Pat-New York]

Thanks raceron1120, I may give that a try, I guess you put it all around the wheel,then put the hubcap back on,then let it dry ? Sounds OK to me.

[monarch]

I had the same problem with my 1956 Monarch,as soon as I put on Radial tires. I even rotated wheels back to front,sharpened the little claws on the wheel disks, bent the claws out more,I even cut small trenches on the wheels with a dremel tool, but the FRONT disks kept walking off the rims!! I tried a NOS disc, same thing. I gave up and went to dog dish caps and trim rings!!
I tried Radials on my 1958 Fairlane,NO PROBLEM ????

[38 coupe]

RTV is room temperature vulcanize. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcanization

[raceron1120]

I thought it (room temp vinyl) was a slang term used by mechs in this area when referring to RTV but never googled it and didn't think much more about it because we all knew what was meant.

Thanks for the clarification.
ron