Center cap repair, need a little help

rbogh901 · 02-09-2013, 06:02 PM

The dang thing with the crest fell off the backing ring thing. The little pins just won't hold it on any more. I will try epoxy but it seems like this was designed to be a mechanical fit. Does that make sense? What's the RIGHT THING TO DO?

here's a poached photo for your enjoyment, showing the pins on the back.

SilberUrS6 · 02-09-2013, 06:48 PM

I had the same thing happen. I took some epoxy and mixed in a little bit of cut up steel wool after I really roughed up the mating surfaces. I spread the epoxy around on both mating surfaces, stuck the parts together, then put the remainder of the epoxy on the inner surface of the back part of the center cap - the area you have showing in the photo. After I let it set up a week, I tried to get the two parts apart by hand, and had no luck doing so.

If I worked REALLY hard, I'm sure I could get them apart. But that kind of force is not seen by the cap under regular use. And if I want the caps out of the wheels, I'll just have to remember to take the wheel off to push the cap out from the back.

dshepp806 · dshepp806's Garage

Can't you get replacements?

Best!

Doyle

rbogh901 · 02-10-2013, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dshepp806

Can't you get replacements?

Best!

Doyle

Yes, of course. But I have the pieces, new ones may or may not match the rest of the set, and prices are $50 that I'd rather spend on beer. Therefore, do you epoxy these or try to mushroom the locator pins somehow to retain them?

If one's initial solution is inadequate the thing will frisbee off into a culvert to be discovered in the next millenia so it pays (remember the beer), to do it right the first time.

tevake · 02-10-2013, 03:01 PM

I have put a couple together with epoxy and they are still holding fine.

Cheers Richard

rbogh901 · 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilberUrS6

I had the same thing happen. I took some epoxy and mixed in a little bit of cut up steel wool after I really roughed up the mating surfaces. I spread the epoxy around on both mating surfaces, stuck the parts together, then put the remainder of the epoxy on the inner surface of the back part of the center cap - the area you have showing in the photo. After I let it set up a week, I tried to get the two parts apart by hand, and had no luck doing so.

If I worked REALLY hard, I'm sure I could get them apart. But that kind of force is not seen by the cap under regular use. And if I want the caps out of the wheels, I'll just have to remember to take the wheel off to push the cap out from the back.

I tried that and it seemed to bond reasonably using the "let's see if I can pull it apart" method. Looked good so I mounted it and it popped off as the ring was being pressed into the wheel. Musta used the wrong epoxy.

Any epoxy specifics out there?
Aren't they just supposed to be held on mechanically by the studs? Although the factory method obviously comes up short from time to time can you think of a way to mushroom them out to gain purchase.

SilberUrS6 · 02-10-2013, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbogh901

I tried that and it seemed to bond reasonably using the "let's see if I can pull it apart" method. Looked good so I mounted it and it popped off as the ring was being pressed into the wheel. Musta used the wrong epoxy.

Any epoxy specifics out there?
Aren't they just supposed to be held on mechanically by the studs? Although the factory method obviously comes up short from time to time can you think of a way to mushroom them out to gain purchase.

Yeah, it's a mechanical bond. Super-short self-tapping machine screw, large, thin washer, plenty of 24-hour epoxy?

I used the 24-hour kind, not the quick stuff. The quick stuff sets up too fast. And I used 1/4-inch long bits of steel wool in there, too.

tevake · 02-10-2013, 03:42 PM

I used JB weld. And did some roughing on the surfaces where the epoxy went. Also did clean with acetone. Then let it set up for a day or two before installing

The remaining original studs or rivets just did not have any material left to mushroom that was still protruding enough to do the job.

Cheers Richard

rbogh901 · 02-10-2013, 03:50 PM

yes, thanks, that will be my next choice.
cheers,

SilberUrS6 · 02-10-2013, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tevake

I used JB weld. And did some roughing on the surfaces where the epoxy went. Also did clean with acetone. Then let it set up for a day or two before installing

The remaining original studs or rivets just did not have any material left to mushroom that was still protruding enough to do the job.

Cheers Richard

That's about right. I used a very coarse file to really gouge up the two mating surfaces.

And yes, clean the crap out of them (literally).