Author Topic: Installing Center Caps on Snowflake rims  (Read 894 times)

737driver

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2228
  • "Life is hard, It's Harder when you're Stupid.."
    • My Trans Am - Restoration Project
Installing Center Caps on Snowflake rims
« on: April 14, 2023, 10:38:22 PM »
I had to get a new set of tires on my 79 TransAm and I removed the center caps without any issue. Problem is getting the caps back on the rims. They are original 15x8 snowflakes. The caps seems like they need to be really forced fit into place. Just looking for any advice or tips installing them. From what I remember it didn’t seem that difficult to install them 10 years ago.
Thanks,
Jim
1979 Trans Am- Heritage Brown -W72 (Pontiac 400) -4Speed-WS6
1972 LeMans Convertible
1977 Trans Am
1972 Firebird
2000 TransAm WS6
1968 Lemans Converible
1979 TransAm Gold WS6 400/4speed
1971 Firebird
1977 MGB  Roadster Convertible

Wallington

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2221
Re: Installing Center Caps on Snowflake rims
« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2023, 03:22:45 AM »
Original metal round type? They just generally thump on until seated. Or add a rag over the emblem and thump them around the edges with a rubber mallet to get it started.
« Last Edit: April 15, 2023, 11:24:10 PM by Wallington »

737driver

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2228
  • "Life is hard, It's Harder when you're Stupid.."
    • My Trans Am - Restoration Project
Re: Installing Center Caps on Snowflake rims
« Reply #2 on: April 15, 2023, 05:49:49 PM »
Thanks! I’ll give that a shot, I believe that’s how I did it awhile back.
1979 Trans Am- Heritage Brown -W72 (Pontiac 400) -4Speed-WS6
1972 LeMans Convertible
1977 Trans Am
1972 Firebird
2000 TransAm WS6
1968 Lemans Converible
1979 TransAm Gold WS6 400/4speed
1971 Firebird
1977 MGB  Roadster Convertible

79GoldnTan

  • Active Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 583
Re: Installing Center Caps on Snowflake rims
« Reply #3 on: April 17, 2023, 06:20:38 PM »
Yep, original fit right. I replaced mine with reproductions and fit was loose. I put silicone around inside edge because I was afraid they might come off
79 solar gold    
461.   Factory 4 speed
PTFB SFC
PTFB 1LE
3.08 rear  for now
Lots O Fun

Wallington

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2221
Re: Installing Center Caps on Snowflake rims
« Reply #4 on: May 12, 2023, 05:06:27 AM »

Re: Installing Center Caps on Snowflake rims
« Reply #4 on: May 12, 2023, 05:06:27 AM »

Warren Seale

  • Active Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 959
Re: Installing Center Caps on Snowflake rims
« Reply #5 on: May 12, 2023, 01:24:03 PM »
When installing the cap as shown in the photo above, don't wack the plastic emblem.  Make sure the tool hits the raised outer edge of the cap.  If you hit the emblem it can break off or worse yet-crack.
79 T/A,WS6,403,A3
96 T/A,WS6(#1344),M6
72 442,W30,A3
96 Vette Grand Sport convertible (#713),F45,LT4,M6
13 427 Vette convertible (#1425),Z30/Z25,M6

Wallington

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2221
Re: Installing Center Caps on Snowflake rims
« Reply #6 on: May 12, 2023, 08:25:34 PM »
"Follow diagrams 100%. GM also has spares sold over the counter"

Possibly the cropped text, possibly.

737driver

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2228
  • "Life is hard, It's Harder when you're Stupid.."
    • My Trans Am - Restoration Project
Re: Installing Center Caps on Snowflake rims
« Reply #7 on: May 12, 2023, 08:34:04 PM »
"Follow diagrams 100%. GM also has spares sold over the counter"

Possibly the cropped text, possibly.
That is kinda how I did it. Thanks for posting the information!
Jim
1979 Trans Am- Heritage Brown -W72 (Pontiac 400) -4Speed-WS6
1972 LeMans Convertible
1977 Trans Am
1972 Firebird
2000 TransAm WS6
1968 Lemans Converible
1979 TransAm Gold WS6 400/4speed
1971 Firebird
1977 MGB  Roadster Convertible

Wallington

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2221
Re: Installing Center Caps on Snowflake rims
« Reply #8 on: May 14, 2023, 09:40:07 AM »
Haha yeah I only follow those instructions to remove. Otherwise a thick rag over the top and a soft mallet tapped around the edges until it seats, avoiding the emblem as mentioned. Then a few blobs of silastic on the inside to secure from rattling loose if needed.

Re: Installing Center Caps on Snowflake rims
« Reply #8 on: May 14, 2023, 09:40:07 AM »
You can help support TAC!