Options for an oblong hole

crankbait09 · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 6:10 am Post subject: Options for an oblong hole

I have 4 out of the 20 hubcap clip holes that are oblong, and are no longer perfect circles.

What are some ways to remedy this so the hubcap clips can properly seat tightly?

Has anyone ran in to this issue? What did you do to fix?
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1963 Ragtop

hitest · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 6:38 am Post subject: Re: Options for an oblong hole

Were these four holes the result of overzealous original rivet drilling?

If so, maybe a size up rivet or light welding and redrilling is in order.
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crankbait09 · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 6:47 am Post subject: Re: Options for an oblong hole

yes, A number of the rivets were replaced with cheapies at one point, a couple oblongs were from the PO, and two were by me not being as straight as I thought.
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1963 Ragtop

Zundfolge1432 · Samba Member Joined: June 13, 2004 Posts: 12567

I’d use a soft aluminum rivet which would conform to the damaged hole, not a pop rivet either. You need a real solid shank rivet, a rivet gun, a bucking bar and two people that have experience driving rivets.

crankbait09 · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 8:16 am Post subject: Re: Options for an oblong hole

great, none of which I have.
I spose I could possibly have someone weld those specific clips in to place.
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1963 Ragtop

HippyTom · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 8:52 am Post subject: Re: Options for an oblong hole

JB Weld.

On an old VW, one of the following can resolve 90% of you day to day problems:

PB Blaster - if it doesn't movecand it should
Duct Tape - if it does move and it shouldn't
Zip Tie - if something needs to be held somewhere it doesn't want to be
JB Weld - if something needs to be put back where it used to be

crankbait09 · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 8:54 am Post subject: Re: Options for an oblong hole

jb weld - I'm listening. I have worked with that before.
How does it work in this scenario? Which product would I use?
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1963 Ragtop

60ragtop · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 9:00 am Post subject: Re: Options for an oblong hole

fudge and use a stove head nut and bolt on the 4 that are oblong. No use overthinking

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

pondoras box · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 9:06 am Post subject: Re: Options for an oblong hole

If you value the hubcaps you are putting on the car I would skip the JB Weld "fix" It works on a static object not subject to stresses and vibrations encountered on your rims.

Larger pop rivets will work if you can get them to tighten down hard enough, my experience is the rivet stem breaks off before it gets tight enough to keep the clip from moving.

My suggestion is to weld the holes and then drill out to proper size and get original clips not repops. I save all the clips from every bent / rusted rims I can. They work WAY better than reproduction ones.

Driving solid rivets is not that hard to do. In fact I think Wolfsburg West sells a kit to do this properly. If you mess it up gently grind the head of the rivet off and the rest will just fall out, shouldn't need to drill through the opening at all.

I just sold a bunch of rims last summer at the Xenia show and almost had to give them away, most had a complete set of rivets. Check the swap meet at shows lots of stock rims at those.
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Looking for anything from Hal Casey Motors out of Hamburg New York, from license plate surrounds to matchbooks.

1961 23 Window (Bobo)
1965 11 Window (Zelda). https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=563183
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1973 standard bug
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Plus a lot of other rusty junk

anthracitedub · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 9:23 am Post subject: Re: Options for an oblong hole

It’s difficult to drill a weld so may the Shwartz be with you.

Zundfolge1432 · Samba Member Joined: June 13, 2004 Posts: 12567

I like Rick’s idea. Easiest to do 😁

HippyTom · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 9:47 am Post subject: Re: Options for an oblong hole

crankbait09 · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 10:24 am Post subject: Re: Options for an oblong hole

um, stove head nut? I googled images of this and don't see a difference between that and the lock nut I have. Unless it's the "square" type nut.

oh, and these are new hub caps that I'd prefer NOT to have to replace Smile

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1963 Ragtop

jason · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 10:27 am Post subject: Re: Options for an oblong hole

The nut name is on the box.

anthracitedub · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 12:27 pm Post subject: Re: Options for an oblong hole

I’d use a button head screw.... probably a 8 32 X 3/8 would work and of course the proper nut to back it.

crankbait09 · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 4:35 am Post subject: Re: Options for an oblong hole

installed the screws and nuts this weekend, even on the oblong holes. tightened everythign down and the clips didn't move on bit. nice and snug. that was easy!

I installed the old caps just to see how it would hold up. it snapped in to place, and it was NOT moving Very Happy

The new hub caps will be in on Wednesday, so I'll get them on, and then drive away Smile

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1963 Ragtop


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