Planet 9

gsrbri · #1 05-18-2009, 07:17 AM

Guys:

My Cayman has the 18" Cayman S wheels w/the colored crest center caps. It's a 2008 and currently has 9,000 miles. I ran winter tires/wheels and swapped the center caps onto the winter wheels and, now that it's springtime, I've re-mounted the summer wheels and tires and popped-in the center caps again.

Here's my problem: Even though I've been very careful about uniformly loading the center cap on removal and installation, the center caps are now not fitting properly. They've all developed a gap, especially after driving for several miles, and they are not "snapping" tight and fitting snug. I'm worried they will fall out over a rough road or, even worse, someone will easily steal them.

I've noticed the center caps aren't particularly well-made. They only have a ring of plastic tabs that appear easily stressed so they are not retaining a nice 90 degree position to the hub where they're inserted. On several other cars, including my Honda S2000 and BMW, the center cap had a steel retaining ring, around the inside, to keep tension on the retaining tabs and resist deformation.

My dealership agreed to order me new center caps, but I'm not sure what will keep them from loosening again. Any ideas/thoughts/experiences?

Thanks much,
-Brian

jderiansf · #2 05-18-2009, 08:37 AM

Pulling off and putting on the caps will fatigue the plastic. They're just not made to pull off and on many times.

Your much better off getting an extra set and leave them where they are.

**bwass24** · #3 05-18-2009, 09:02 AM

Although somewhat pricey, Ralph Boothe's wheel center caps are works of art. They have no plastic, fit perfectly and you can't remove them without removing the wheel. There is simply no way for them to fall out or be stolen.

**Santa Fe** · #4 05-18-2009, 10:14 AM

If you want to stay with stock a bit of glue will work to keep them in. I had to do that with a Range Rover I once had.