Author Topic: Center Wheel Caps - how to keep them on!  (Read 1842 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Certified Lotus

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: Aug 2016
  • Location: Princeton, NJ
  • Posts: 1,690
Center Wheel Caps - how to keep them on!
« on: Sunday,January 08, 2017, 02:00:13 PM »
My friend Bruce has an ingenious way to keep his valuable Lotus center wheel caps adhered to the wheels!


Offline BDA

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: Jul 2012
  • Location: North Carolina
  • Posts: 9,998
Re: Center Wheel Caps - how to keep them on!
« Reply #1 on: Sunday,January 08, 2017, 02:06:58 PM »
Pretty clever. I never had any problem with mine, but "never" only lasted a year or so with the Europas I've had with stock wheels. A good method of affixing the centers to the wheels is a requirement. I wonder why not glue them on though...

Speaking of wheels, one thing you might not know is that after long service, the lug holes can get wallowed out a bit causing vibration. It might be something for you to think about down the road.

Offline Arizona

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Oct 2013
  • Location: Flagstaff, AZ
  • Posts: 142
Re: Center Wheel Caps - how to keep them on!
« Reply #2 on: Sunday,January 08, 2017, 03:07:48 PM »
Don't laugh, but I take mine off when I drive the car.
George F. Johnson

Offline BDA

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: Jul 2012
  • Location: North Carolina
  • Posts: 9,998
Re: Center Wheel Caps - how to keep them on!
« Reply #3 on: Sunday,January 08, 2017, 03:42:25 PM »
Maybe you should have a set for driving and another set for displaying!  ;)

Offline Arizona

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Oct 2013
  • Location: Flagstaff, AZ
  • Posts: 142
Re: Center Wheel Caps - how to keep them on!
« Reply #4 on: Sunday,January 08, 2017, 07:59:29 PM »
Maybe you should have a set for driving and another set for displaying!  ;)


Now that is a great idea. Only problem is, last time I checked I couldn't afford two sets.




George F. Johnson

Offline BDA

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: Jul 2012
  • Location: North Carolina
  • Posts: 9,998
Re: Center Wheel Caps - how to keep them on!
« Reply #5 on: Sunday,January 08, 2017, 08:20:18 PM »
I might have complete set lying around. They're forty years old but they might suffice for driving. I'll let you know.

Offline TheKid#9

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Jul 2012
  • Location: Nashville, TN
  • Posts: 221
Re: Center Wheel Caps - how to keep them on!
« Reply #6 on: Monday,January 09, 2017, 12:03:04 AM »
YES! Thanks for sharing. I took mine off after loosing one :(

Offline brucelotus26r

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Joined: Nov 2016
  • Location: Bethlehem PA
  • Posts: 90
Re: Center Wheel Caps - how to keep them on!
« Reply #7 on: Monday,January 09, 2017, 05:38:12 PM »
OK here the story
Driving my new Europe for about the 3rd time I came home and found on of my center caps was gone.
Checking the others I found about the only thing holding them on was memory?
Some owner use tape, some glue them on and some just take them off!
There has to be a better way?
A visit to the Home improvement store for 4  #6/32 X 3/4 flat head screws and 8 nuts an aluminum bar 1/2" wide X 1/8" thick.
I pried the Lotus emblem off with a small screwdriver and drilled a 9/64 hole in the center of the caps and countersunk the holes so the screw is flush in the cap. I put red loctite on the screws and installed them in the caps and tightened them in place with one nut. I then cut the aluminum bar onto 4  2" pieces and filed them to fit into the back of the wheel down to the rim in the center and drilled a 9/64 hole in the center of the bar.
As the emblems where out I gave my caps a quick paint job.
I installed the emblems with a few drops of clear silicone. I then put a drop of blue loctite on the end of the screws and installed the caps on the wheels.  From the back of the wheel I put the Aluminum bar in  so that I could lightly tighten the 2nd nut and hold the caps in place.
I now have center caps that are locked in place and look factory and can be easily removed for tire/ wheel service.

Offline brucelotus26r

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Joined: Nov 2016
  • Location: Bethlehem PA
  • Posts: 90
Re: Center Wheel Caps - how to keep them on!
« Reply #8 on: Monday,January 09, 2017, 05:41:04 PM »
Anybody have an extra center cap as only now have 3?

Offline Certified Lotus

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: Aug 2016
  • Location: Princeton, NJ
  • Posts: 1,690
Re: Center Wheel Caps - how to keep them on!
« Reply #9 on: Tuesday,January 10, 2017, 04:23:04 PM »
Bruce, you came up with a great solution! I have 8 wheels and none of them had center caps. Had to buy all new ones.........

Offline Arizona

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Oct 2013
  • Location: Flagstaff, AZ
  • Posts: 142
Re: Center Wheel Caps - how to keep them on!
« Reply #10 on: Tuesday,January 10, 2017, 05:30:17 PM »
If anyone is looking for the Lotus emblems to fit the center caps, I found this. I have not ordered from them.
http://www.signdezine.co.uk/vinyl_graphics/proddetail.php?prod=3D-Domed-Gel-LOTUS-black-chrome-wheelcenter&cat=108
George F. Johnson

Offline FranV8

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Joined: Sep 2016
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Posts: 37
Re: Center Wheel Caps - how to keep them on!
« Reply #11 on: Wednesday,January 11, 2017, 01:35:56 PM »
They seem pretty clear that they won't put Lotus or any badge that looks like Lotus on there, only custom designs...

Offline Arizona

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Oct 2013
  • Location: Flagstaff, AZ
  • Posts: 142
Re: Center Wheel Caps - how to keep them on!
« Reply #12 on: Wednesday,January 11, 2017, 05:20:02 PM »
Right you are. When I found this site a year or so ago they sold these with the Lotus badge. Looks like things have changed. They probably were contacted by the Lotus lawyers.
George F. Johnson