Source for hub caps not wheel covers

[GuitarPhotog]

I need one or more new hub caps. Not wheel covers, but the actual caps that cover the hub nut. One of mine has split and leaks grease all over the wheel.

I don't know where to look, and Googling "hub cap" gets thousands of hits for wheel covers. Are they called something else?

My axle and hubs probably are original 1948 issue, so someplace with a wide variety of sizes would be good.

Thanks in advance.

<Chas>

[Martiangod]

Sounds like your looking for grease caps

http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Grease_Caps.aspx

[CarlLaFong]

They're called dust caps. Try that. Most parts stores used to carry them. Your hubs, being so old, may be a good thing, since they will be a standard inch size. Might also try a tire store, front end shop, etc.

[bobhenry]

Take your pick ........

http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Grease_Caps-sf-Standard_Grease_Cap.aspx

[legojenn]

I wonder where one can get 8" hubcaps. I would love little full moon hub caps for my trailer.

[emiller]

http://hubcapmike.com/

[GuitarPhotog]

Thank you gentlemen.

I didn't know what to search for as I've only heard them called "hub caps"

Now I need to remove them and measure the good one.

<Chas>

[GuitarPhotog]

Thanks to those who have referred me to etrailer.com, dust caps were my second purchase from them.

Again, that lack of standards thing raises its ugly head. The etrailer.com site lists the dust caps by decimal sizes (i.e., 1.954"). The local auto supply has a few sizes in stock, all measured in fractions (i.e., 1-31/32")

Why can't manufacturers and distributors stick to one scheme? I had to get my phone/calculator out to learn that the 1-31/32 was too big (1.968") and the 1-25/32" (1.781") was too small.

I doubt anyone is able to measure the inside diameter of the hub with a ruler marked in 1/32" increments, so most people could be reasonably expected to use a digital caliper......

I ordered 1.943, figuring that seven thousandths under my measured 1.950 should produce a snug, but not forced fit. We'll see when they arrive.

Thanks again to whoever pointed me to etrailer.com



<Chas>

[KCStudly]

They're probably going to be exactly the ones you need, but If they end up being a little loose you can place the lip of the cap on a hard steel surface (like a bench vise of piece of plate) and tap carefully around the inside diameter with a small ball peen hammer. If you can't get a good tap with the hammer, you could lay another piece of round bar steel (or a bolt with the threads cut of) down flat, just into the lip, and hit on that instead. By stretching the metal in this way, you can make them fit a little tighter; just don't over do it and dent them all out of shape. Just a thought.

[GuitarPhotog]

Thanks for the suggestion about stretching them. I hope they fit first time




<Chas>