Maybe you can add a ring between the cap and wheel, just to close that gap?

I can make the OD on the part larger to make the lip larger, but it will make the part larger. You'll see why I did what I did in the pictures Ill post this evening.

Different materials offer some advantages, but also the problem I ran into here was a disadvantage. The dimensions are pretty close. As I had alleady machined the back of the material I couldn't add to the overall OD.

Mark

I would like a set. Thanks for this. JoeO

Based on your explanation, you made the right decision. A smaller/shorter lip is better than a cap that looks too large. Thanks!

Mark,
Another great product!
I'm in for one set.

I second the motion for development of sail panel trim.

I am in for a set!!! They are beautiful and will finish off my wheels perfectly.

i,ll take a set

I'll break it down so you can "see" what's going on.
I decided to make a "zero clearance" fit for the attachment on the caps. This requires the metal to flex slightly. I had to provide a deeper void in the inside to allow for the flex. This yields a VERY snug fit that will hold the caps on. As these have some mass to them, I didn't want to risk one flying off. The problem it created was that the OD was the same as OEM, we had to shorten the outer "rim" slightly to compensate for the void. Also, to keep the angle correct, we scaled up the height about .120.
You can see the problem area pointed out with the yellow area. Had we not went deeper the retaining lip would fatigue at the edge of the lip as the stress is concentrated there. This could lead to a failure in the future, but stress crack appeared after only one installation and removal cycle, so it was very evident that was a major design issue.
Hope that makes this a little clearer for all.

This is actually under development. I have to finish up a few other things like these, the roofs and the windshield trim, but these will happen, and be much more affordable.
-Mark

what is the proper removal process for these - a rubber hammer - or a hammer a flat screw driver? jim

I would think a rubber mallet.

I'm in for a set, too!!! Thanks a bunch!
Natemeins

One set for me.

I have a windshield trim set as well if you want to combine shipping - whatever is easier!

I'm in no hurry for either of these - the re-assembly is just beginning.

Yep...Im in for one set.

Thanks for doing it.

Curt

I am all in too, Let me know when to pay and your paypal again.. Joe

The group buy is on here's the link
-

http://shop.914rubber.com/product.sc?produ...mp;categoryId=7

To install you can pop them in with a rubber mallet, and pop them out with any type of extender that will allow you to put pressure on the inside. These will not deform like OEM as I left a lot of metal in there for that reason.

Thanks all!

Mark,
Paypal sent this am.

thanks, again

Gary Gartner

Hey Mark here is a bump for ya!

I just sent payment thru 914rubber.com, can't wait to see 'em.

Jim

a short piece of pvc pipe and a rubber mallet from behind makes it safe and simple to remove.

I would never put a screw driver near them, or the wheel...something bad will happen.

Rich

I definitely will take a set. Where can I sign up for the chrome windshield trim?

sent my PP payment thru the linkie, dont worry about combinig shipping im sure its a hassle, thanks Mark

I'm in for 2 sets.

I'll process the windshiled trim as soon as I have got production going on them. about 20 days. I don't like sitting on your money any longer than I have to. Looking for product to start shipping 25 +/- days out.

I need a set of those at the "introductory" price.

I'm in for one set and just sent the paypal. Too bad the link was above your post Gint we could of combined shipping. O'h well it's only 914 money, pretty things for a car that doesn't run yet.

Just placed my order!

Zach

Got mine already. It's amazing to see brand-new, totally perfect center caps. Incredible quality Mark! You have really outdone yourself on these.

Thanks again!

Got mine the other day! They are NICE

I just ordered a set and sent PayPal payment. Thanks for another needed product!

I just ordered a set. Looking forward to receiving them.

Bummer!

The caps are nice but won't fit. They are too small for my Fuch wheels.
Anyone else got this problem?

My Fuch part number is 914.361.011.01 production date 9/73.
Internal hole diameter is 66mm.
Cap external diameter is 60mm.

Mark, which wheel did you use for prototyping?

There is also a clearance problem with the wheel hub cap.
Why are those caps solid inside? The added weight will help them fly away

This picture shows the cap all the way to the left side and the gap on the right side.
Click to view attachment

60mm external cap diameter
Click to view attachment

66mm internal hole diameter (I know it looks like the hole is bigger in the picture but it's just an optical illusion - the measurement is correct)
Click to view attachment

Here is a picture of my wheel.
Click to view attachment

I received my set today, and like others have already said, they sure look nice.

I used an old (very old) rubber mallet to install the cap, and a wood handle off an old paint roller (to act as the "rod" as mentioned in an earlier post) and a basic hammer to remove the cap from the rim. I'm not sure if my rubber mallet was too soft, but I went all Chris Brown on the cap and yet no matter how hard I beat on it, it simply would not seat. So I took it off (popped off easily) and put a small coating of bearing grease on the cap and the rim, and after a few more whacks, the cap finally seated.

The caps may not pass the CW test, but personally I like them even better than the originals. Thanks Mikey for the quick delivery and for another very fine product.

Wow, that's really strange. I took a measurement of my spare rim and one of the caps ......

Click to view attachment

Markings on the inside of my rim .....

Click to view attachment

Hey Mark.....Thanks for making this available...Pay Pal sent for (2) sets.
I look forward to seeing them on my cars.......Jerry

Thanks for the pics, Dave.
How does it clear the front hub cap? My hub cap hits the wheel cap. I would need the wheel cap to be at least 5mm deeper.

Sorry, I've only tried the wheel caps on the spare rim, so I don't know what kind of clearance/interference they have on the hub caps. Hopefully someone else can answer this one. It'll probably be a week or more before I can check this ...

Not quite sure what's going on with the 2 different diameters. Has someone machined additional clearance? There is only one part number 91436130303, so there should only be one diameter. I did make the clearance tight so you will not loose these if you hit a bump on the freeway. These have a wedge fit so it should accomidate some variation.

Actually, after looking at your picture more closely, you can see someone has expanded the opening, at it is no longer centered. To install a center cap in that wheel would place it out of center. I would trade it out and make it your spare.

The holes are centered. The picture angle makes it look like they are not but I checked and are centered.
I have the same hole size in all 4 wheels.

That said, maybe some PO did machine the holes but why?

The other thing is the clearance between the wheel cap and the hub cap. It won't go all the way in because of the hub cap.

Same here, fit the rims OK, but the wheel won't go on with the grease cap in place. I have the grease caps with the two bumps (for easy removal) on my '74. Maybe the smooth ones will work?

If we are keeping track...I also ran into the issue with them not seating correctly...hits the hub / grease cap. Overall, they are beautiful parts, just don't fit on the front wheel. I imagine this won't be an issue on the rears, but they stick so far out on the front that I don't want to try going down the freeway with them.

One more data point: Mine are also two small for the opening. I will measure them to see if the are the same as Valy...

-- brett

I did only check these on the rear as the wheels aren't ready to mount. I'm looking at making a lower profile cap for the front wheels that I'll make available to those that need them.
-Mark

Also one quick note the casting I used to make these off of was 914.361.011.01.
Valy, do you have an OEM center cap that fits the first wheel? If so there is another casting number for the wheel. Did these 4 lug fuchs get made for VW bugs too? I was wondering if the same casting was opened up for VW application.

It just dosen't make any sense why the holes would be larger on the sam castings.

Anyone have any other info or ideas here?

This becoming the Sunnyvale syndrome

If you got a chance, check the part number on your wheels as well.
I don't have any caps on my wheels. Do you have any?

After reading that several guys were having interference problems, I decided I should try these caps sooner rather than later. I had to run down to HF and buy a new floor jack, so I only had time to test the front wheel clearance.

Unfortunately it looks like I will have to join the group that can't get the wheel cap to clear the hub. I took some pictures below which will help explain the problem .....

#1. I have the hub with the bumps (build date is 6/73). The diameter is 56.3mm.
#2. (click the image to make it full size) Measuring the stock cap, you can see the inner diameter is approximately 58mm.
#3. Measuring the new cap, the inner diameter is about 56mm.
#4. Putting the wheel on the car and seating it against the hub, you can see that the new cap will not stay seated against the wheel. Obviously, we have an interference problem ...
#5. After taking the cap off, you can see the scratches left by the interference problem (same thing on the opposite side of the cap).
#6. On a positive note, the cap sure looks nice and goes well with the Fuchs!

Click to view attachment

Mark, first the quality of the caps is top notch. No problem installing on the rear. Problem with the front is not the diameter of the cap. The problem I have is that it bottoms out on the bearing cap. The interior of your cap needs to be hogged out approximately 1/2+" for your cap to seat. As it is now the caps sits about 1/4" proud so you can still see the 4 relief cutouts. I have I believe original wheel bearing caps and they stick out approx. 1/2" beyond the face of the wheel.

As it is now the two caps for the front are useless to me.

Keith

Yes Keith, you're right. I should have mentioned that I also have the same problem with the interior of the cap not being deep enough (as well as not wide enough).