Auto Detailing and AppearanceTips and tricks on how to make your Third Gen shine! Get opinions on products or how something tasteful looks on your Chevrolet Camaro or Pontiac Firebird.
Welcome to ThirdGen.org!
Welcome to ThirdGen.org.
You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, join the ThirdGen.org community today!
I hope this is the right spot for this question. Does anyone have problems with there front center caps staying on their stock Deep Dish Wheels (check out my icon if your wondering the style of wheel)? I bought new center caps and the metal clips won't work on the front wheels. I have to take them off every time I go to the car wash or they get knocked off. Does this happen to everybody or is it another weird 85 Trans Am problem? Thanks for looking!
it must be an 85 problem! no kidding...I had a similar issue, but mine was with one of the rear center caps...I just but a new set off ebay with the full clips on the center caps and I haven't had a problem since!
Mods so far: MSD Cap and rotor, MSD ignition coil, Accel 8.8mm ignition wires, Hooker Super Comp Shortie Headers, Flowmaster 3in catback, underdrive crank pulley, custom cold air intake, NOS wet 125 shot, air foil and a lead foot! no E/T's yet. ...TURBO COMING SOON...Other mods include keyless entry and remote start, and Sequential Turn Signals.
Does it still have the metal clip thing inside it? If so, try bending out the tabs at the bottom, where they stick out of the cap. Don't bend them too much, maybe 1-2MM. I had the opposite problem on my old car, the metal clip would stay in the wheel, but the plastic cap would come off.
__________________ North Texas Third Gen Association 1988 GTA 5.0/M5/3.45 LSD, T-Tops, Digital Dash, Leather - Current Ride 1983 Firebird S/E - Stripped 1995 Chevy 1500 5.7 Ext. Cab - Daily Driver
Thanks for the replies!!! The center caps on the front won't stay on if the metal clips are there. It will only stay on with the plastic tabs. It looks like the metal won't fit around the hub. I'm wondering if other hubs are smaller?
I had that problem with my 83 as well, I fixed it by getting smaller rotor grease caps. I pulled mine from a later model firebird that would have come factory with the plastic center caps. They were smaller and flatter, and would clear the metal clips.
__________________ North Texas Third Gen Association 1988 GTA 5.0/M5/3.45 LSD, T-Tops, Digital Dash, Leather - Current Ride 1983 Firebird S/E - Stripped 1995 Chevy 1500 5.7 Ext. Cab - Daily Driver
They just pop into the ends of the rotor. Take a thin flat blade screw driver, and put it between the lip of the cap and the rotor. Give it a couple taps with a hammer, and do this in a few places around the cap. It should pop right out. Reinstallation is easy too, just tap it in with a hammer until it's flush with the rotor.
__________________ North Texas Third Gen Association 1988 GTA 5.0/M5/3.45 LSD, T-Tops, Digital Dash, Leather - Current Ride 1983 Firebird S/E - Stripped 1995 Chevy 1500 5.7 Ext. Cab - Daily Driver
