How the heck do you put on Po3 Caps with out dents - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

greedy geezer · 12-10-2015, 11:28 AM

Just about ready for winter New Tires Rear Shocks waiting for front to arrive, Got rid of ford hub caps that where on the rear So how the Heck do you get these p03 Hub caps on with out denting them

greedy geezer · 12-10-2015, 11:30 AM

and the Running boards are back on Happy birthday to the Mrs.

**hooverfish** · 12-10-2015, 05:09 PM

Subscribed, I would like to know too, if there is a proper technique.
Also, that olive truck looks sweet.

greedy geezer · 12-10-2015, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hooverfish

Subscribed, I would like to know too, if there is a proper technique.
Also, that olive truck looks sweet.

Yes Thanks Sir I spent a couple hours trying to pop the dings out and then made a couple more putting them back on, I'm just happy they aren't real nice one's maybe after some practice on these I can find some nice one and do it right if anyone can help I'm more then willing to listen
gg

cypressbog · 12-10-2015, 05:26 PM

I put mine on by getting one side under the nubs and while holding in place used the heal of my hand giving the other end (near the outside edge of the cover) a couple good hits. Once set in place, I used the heal of my hand around the outside edge of the cover to make sure it was seated good. A rubber mallet works good too, but I don't have one.

**leddzepp** · 12-10-2015, 05:39 PM

I use the bottom of my fist and the palm of my hand. If they need more force, I put a thick rag over the edge and use a rubber mallet.

greedy geezer · 12-10-2015, 06:59 PM

I got one of those hub cap tools with a rubber bumper and still dimpled them a little, I guess I'll use my hand and keep practicing maybe put a little lubricant on next time the caps are Old and pretty beat already I wouldn't want try it on any nice ones at this point

CrewCab59 · 12-10-2015, 10:11 PM

If the wheels are painted I use my hands to install and a Snap-on hubcap hammer to remove or if the wheels are coated I use the hammer to install and remove.

Here is what the hammer looks like. Is hammer will work up to the 9 3/4 wide wheels.

**special-K** · 12-11-2015, 12:59 AM

Just have to stay on the very edge where it's stiffest. But if they've been dented before they'll dent real easily again.

greedy geezer · 12-11-2015, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Just have to stay on the very edge where it's stiffest. But if they've been dented before they'll dent real easily again.

I think that's my problem They were in bad shape to start, But It looks good from 20 ft I put on tiers and shocks all around Spring asst shocks in the front and air shocks in the back so I can a just for trailer use I very Happy with this truck

sambrutay · 12-11-2015, 12:34 PM

Looks great.

factorystock · 12-11-2015, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

I use the bottom of my fist and the palm of my hand.

X2, this is the only damage free method. If does not pop on easily, spin clock wise or counter clock wise till the best fit is attained. These original PO3 are notoriously weak, they are chrome over brass construction, they dent, split, crack very easily. GM finally wised up and started making these caps out of stainless. Truck looks great, very difficult to improve on the "factory look" .

73737373 · 12-14-2015, 11:44 AM

Mine have cracks in them, so they are pretty easy to remove. Works out kind of nice, actually, since they have enough "catch" that they stay on when driving, but come off/install pretty easily.

**jocko** · 12-14-2015, 12:26 PM

Hook cap around a nub, then on the other side of the diameter of the cap, spread load as much as possible around the outermost rim of the cap with your hand (I just use thumb and heel of the hand) and, while pushing across the cap at the hooked nub (most important part is to keep it pressed tight against the nub by pushing ACROSS the cap, not down toward the wheel face), push down with the spread load of the hand on the other side of the cap. This is the best success I've had and it's still not perfect.

**cericd** · 12-14-2015, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocko

Hook cap around a nub, then on the other side of the diameter of the cap, spread load as much as possible around the outermost rim of the cap with your hand (I just use thumb and heel of the hand) and, while pushing across the cap at the hooked nub (most important part is to keep it pressed tight against the nub by pushing ACROSS the cap, not down toward the wheel face), push down with the spread load of the hand on the other side of the cap. This is the best success I've had and it's still not perfect.

Sounds good. Now, how do you folks remove them without damaging them?

9teen69 · 12-14-2015, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cericd

Sounds good. Now, how do you folks remove them without damaging them?

I use non metallic scrapers and pick a spot that has a small gap, keep the ends sharp. Harbor freight sells a complete set.

**jocko** · 12-14-2015, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cericd

Sounds good. Now, how do you folks remove them without damaging them?

I use these - have em lying around the shop and in my glovebox (wrap a thick wad of electrical tape around the curved edge and go to town, carefully). They work great.

Vaughan 222CS Bushnell Mini Pry Bar, 5-1/2"...

12-10-2015, 11:28 AM	#1
greedy geezer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Stoughton MA where everyhing on the road gets rusted out from winter and rock salt Posts: 168	How the heck do you put on Po3 Caps with out dents Just about ready for winter New Tires Rear Shocks waiting for front to arrive, Got rid of ford hub caps that where on the rear So how the Heck do you get these p03 Hub caps on with out denting them Attached Images

12-10-2015, 11:30 AM	#2
greedy geezer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Stoughton MA where everyhing on the road gets rusted out from winter and rock salt Posts: 168	Re: How the heck do you put on Po3 Caps with out dents and the Running boards are back on Happy birthday to the Mrs.

12-10-2015, 05:09 PM	#3
hooverfish Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lexington, Ky Posts: 2,119	Re: How the heck do you put on Po3 Caps with out dents Subscribed, I would like to know too, if there is a proper technique. Also, that olive truck looks sweet. __________________ Larry 84 Chevy SWB, "Roy", dark blue orig paint, 6 cyl auto, PS, 88,000 miles. 72 Highlander LWB "Olive" med olive over lt yellow, air, 77,000 miles (sold) "It's a sorry man who can't find his wife a good job"

12-10-2015, 05:26 PM	#5
cypressbog Go Pack Go! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Green Bay Posts: 2,669	Re: How the heck do you put on Po3 Caps with out dents I put mine on by getting one side under the nubs and while holding in place used the heal of my hand giving the other end (near the outside edge of the cover) a couple good hits. Once set in place, I used the heal of my hand around the outside edge of the cover to make sure it was seated good. A rubber mallet works good too, but I don't have one.

12-10-2015, 05:39 PM	#6
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 19,992	Re: How the heck do you put on Po3 Caps with out dents I use the bottom of my fist and the palm of my hand. If they need more force, I put a thick rag over the edge and use a rubber mallet. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man

12-10-2015, 06:59 PM	#7
greedy geezer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Stoughton MA where everyhing on the road gets rusted out from winter and rock salt Posts: 168	Re: How the heck do you put on Po3 Caps with out dents I got one of those hub cap tools with a rubber bumper and still dimpled them a little, I guess I'll use my hand and keep practicing maybe put a little lubricant on next time the caps are Old and pretty beat already I wouldn't want try it on any nice ones at this point

12-10-2015, 10:11 PM	#8
CrewCab59 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Knoxville,TN Posts: 1,185	Re: How the heck do you put on Po3 Caps with out dents If the wheels are painted I use my hands to install and a Snap-on hubcap hammer to remove or if the wheels are coated I use the hammer to install and remove. Here is what the hammer looks like. Is hammer will work up to the 9 3/4 wide wheels. Attached Images __________________ 1972 Custom Deluxe 20 4x4 burb 1971 GMC SWB CST 4x4 1972 GMC k20 4x4 (X- brush truck ) 1971 Chevy CST Blazer 4x4 1971 Chevy C/10 1970 Cab Chassis C30 157" 1971 Cab Chassis Custom 30 Deluxe 157" 292/4spd ( Napco Replica ) 1988 Chevy V30 4x4 wrecker challenger 4812

12-11-2015, 12:59 AM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: How the heck do you put on Po3 Caps with out dents Just have to stay on the very edge where it's stiffest. But if they've been dented before they'll dent real easily again. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

12-11-2015, 12:34 PM	#11
sambrutay Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 619	Re: How the heck do you put on Po3 Caps with out dents Looks great. __________________ Bruce 1964 C10 SWB #Junk 1979 C10 utility #cargopants (sold) 1971 GMC Sprint (sold) 1974 GMC Grande Sierra (sold)

12-14-2015, 11:44 AM	#13
73737373 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Oklahoma USA Posts: 1,000	Re: How the heck do you put on Po3 Caps with out dents Mine have cracks in them, so they are pretty easy to remove. Works out kind of nice, actually, since they have enough "catch" that they stay on when driving, but come off/install pretty easily.

12-14-2015, 12:26 PM	#14
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,937	Re: How the heck do you put on Po3 Caps with out dents Hook cap around a nub, then on the other side of the diameter of the cap, spread load as much as possible around the outermost rim of the cap with your hand (I just use thumb and heel of the hand) and, while pushing across the cap at the hooked nub (most important part is to keep it pressed tight against the nub by pushing ACROSS the cap, not down toward the wheel face), push down with the spread load of the hand on the other side of the cap. This is the best success I've had and it's still not perfect.



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