From: msrdude on
This is hard to believe, but my 96 corolla front hubcaps are making
this clicking noise. I thought it was something else, but when I
removed the hubcaps and drove, the noise was gone, and when I put it
back, the noise came back but it was very difficult to hear it. Then
the noise got louder a little day by day. I checked out the hubcaps,
there is no crack, no sign of damage, and it is properly installed. I
am thinking that I removed and installed the hubcap too much wearing
the plastic that holds it to the wheel.
Anyone have any ideas on how to make the noise disappear??? and No, i
do not want to buy new hubcaps, get rims, or buy OEM ones (too
expensive $40 for one!!! no way) Thanks
From: Ray O on

"msrdude" <kimiga(a)gmail.com> wrote in message
news:a08c5f4f-2789-4afb-854a-c20f46ea56a8(a)r19g2000yqb.googlegroups.com...
> This is hard to believe, but my 96 corolla front hubcaps are making
> this clicking noise. I thought it was something else, but when I
> removed the hubcaps and drove, the noise was gone, and when I put it
> back, the noise came back but it was very difficult to hear it. Then
> the noise got louder a little day by day. I checked out the hubcaps,
> there is no crack, no sign of damage, and it is properly installed. I
> am thinking that I removed and installed the hubcap too much wearing
> the plastic that holds it to the wheel.
> Anyone have any ideas on how to make the noise disappear??? and No, i
> do not want to buy new hubcaps, get rims, or buy OEM ones (too
> expensive $40 for one!!! no way) Thanks

If your aftermarket wheel covers have some kind of retaining spring running
the circumference of the wheel cover, try spraying silicone lubricant where
the retaining spring contacts the tabs that engage the wheel rim. If
spraying silicone lubricant eliminates the noise only temporarily, apply
soap based disc brake lubricant (not lithium grease) where the spring
contacts the tabs.

By the way, people often use "rim" as a synonym for "wheel," but that usage
of the term "rim" is incorrect and tells a professional that the person
using the term is an automotive technician wannabe. A rim is a part of the
wheel where the tire bead contacts the wheel.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)



From: Michael Golden on
msrdude wrote:

> i do not want to buy new hubcaps, get rims, or buy OEM ones
> (too expensive $40 for one!!! no way)

If your quibbling about spending $80, just take the covers off and set
them out with the trash.
From: Hachiroku ハチロク on
On Sun, 17 Jan 2010 01:27:30 +0000, Michael Golden wrote:

> msrdude wrote:
>
>> i do not want to buy new hubcaps, get rims, or buy OEM ones (too
>> expensive $40 for one!!! no way)
>
> If your quibbling about spending $80, just take the covers off and set
> them out with the trash.

And paint the wheels silver or gold...