Hub Caps

[oasis]

I have never claimed to be much of a DIYer. In putzing around to install a new passenger side seat belt, I accidentally fixed the old one.

That gave me confidence to move on to installing my new hub caps. Heck, I have done this with my Fords in the olden days, and I have done it as recently as a year ago with my daughter's Tiguan. (I realize in some cases they were wheel covers, but whatever ...)

I am having a devil of a time putting them on my Sinka. Maybe I'm just being too much of a baby and afraid I will damage them. I searched here to see if someone else ever admitted to being so inept. Nope. I searched YouTube but the closest I saw were (1) '66-'67 Beetle hub caps (different), (2) wide-five studded wheels (with their clips), and (3) someone putting Moonies on an Airstream.

I was tempted to post this in the "Official lazy person's stupid question thread" thread but I didn't want to interrupt what's going on there, and I wasn't really being lazy -- just inept. I suppose I could have started the "Official inept person's stupid question thread" thread, but maybe this way someone else can search the results here without having to go public.

FWIW, the feedback of the seller of these caps were positive from T2 and T3 owners, so I felt okay with the purchase -- still do. I think it's me. They just seem a mm or two from just popping on.

Any suggestions?
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Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI

[MarkWard]

The stock chrome vw moon hub caps take a pretty good whack. A rubber mallet wrapped in a rag. You need to hit the edge while you hold it in place. Obviously you don’t want to dent them.
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[oasis]

[MarkWard]

It’s been a long time, but I remember hooking one or two so at that point the hub cap is cocked, then you are snapping it over the last nub.
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[deadaheadub]

[oasis]

Thanks, guys! I'll give a whack tomorrow.
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Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI

[Ahwahnee]

And once you get it on there you can ponder how you will get it off. If it is the "stock chrome vw moon hub cap" with a pair of holes in the rim, there is a tool specifically for that.

[16CVs]

I hear they are easier to install on silver wheels than on Black wheels. May just be a rumor?

Put them up and smack them with the side of your hand. Same cap for 68 and up bugs/ 71 and up Bay window / 80 and up Vanagon / 68 up Ghia and T3.

Just like when your dad used to reach over the back seat and smack you.
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
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Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Xevin]

Not exactly sure what hubcap is used on a Sinka. Are they this style found on my 74 bug and late Bays? If so. The best way is to line it up even and whack it dead center on the VW logo in the middle. I use the side of my fist. I’m sure a rubber mallet would work to.

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Keep on Busin'

[oasis]

I didn't get the chance to give it a whack today after all. I have an appointment with my orthopedist on Tuesday, and he'll be giving me a whack -- putting me out of commission for a few weeks. The only thing I did Sinka related in my rush to do errands before I get whacked is get a couple of opinions on bed liners.

I have the hub cap pull. I had one that I kept in the jacking point of my '71. I took it out when I went from stock wheels to BBS wheels on it. I couldn't find it in my boxes of VW leftovers. I'm now thinking it went with Thing when I sold it. Whatever, I bought one the looks like the pic above rather than the one I guess I no longer have.

This is why I'm surprised I struggled with the hub cap install. I didn't have this problem with either my '71 or my '74.

My wife suggested using the painted (and dinged to hell) hub caps that came with Sinka for practice. Gonna do just that.

My dad never smacked me, so no reference there for me. My mom's smacking was of the psychological variety. Tried that with the hub caps. Didn't work.

I do have a rubber mallet. I'll try the center positioning, center whack method, too.
_________________
Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI

[Xevin]

Just go full “Fonz” on it, at the jukebox. Don’t over think it 👍👍


Link

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Keep on Busin'

[oasis]

[Xevin]

[Ahwahnee]