Topic: Winter Rims w/o Center-Caps - is this a problem?

[PlanB]

Here's what's 13 years of using OEM wheel covers and exposure to good old salty Southern Ontario looks like.

Sorry folks, I unfortunately assumed (yes, I know, probably not a good idea to assume on the internet) that the meaning and understanding of the term `centercap`was ubiquitous in the auto-industry nation(world)-wide. 

To get back on track of my OP, I am looking for a piece that will fill the hole in the steel winter rim that lies inside of the lug-nuts so that the axle-nut does not end  up looking like dr.spock`s lug-nuts (thanks for the photo dr.s) after a season of winter driving.  Yes, I have already proctected the nut with a generous coating of low-temp grease (at least my pipe-fitter friend who gave me the grease says it is good for extreme-low temps), but I am looking for a piece that will fit and cover that nut.  Any suggestions besides a beer can.

[HeliDriver]

I've never seen a center cap for a steel wheel, and with the design of a steel wheel, I don't see how you'd make one to fit.

Center caps are an aluminum wheel thing. The mounting surface is much thicker than on a steel wheel, so there is actually some room to press fit in a center cap.

And for random, I was washing the summer wheels today and snapped a pic of the center caps. I don't see how these could ever be properly called wheel covers.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

On older steel wheels, centre caps were pretty common. Usually some version of these:



Here is a Dodge version with and without the centre cap installed:



And the Chev version:

[random006]

Ok, now I see what you mean.  Some of those caps don't cover much! 

Love that multi domed gold coloured unit.

[Railton]

What you're looking for is a hub dust/grease cap/ They get hammered into the hub.
Railton
http://www.wedgeproducts.com/grease-caps-axle-caps.html

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Ok, now I see what you mean.  Some of those caps don't cover much! 

Love that multi domed gold coloured unit.

It's a cool look:



You can get them for 5x4.5" bolt pattern as on the Scion xB:

[HeliDriver]

Just in case this horse isn't dead yet...

I guess my definition of center cap was a little too narrow. Apparently, the plastic things I pulled off the Suburban wheels during the tire changeover today are also called center caps.

The one on the left is from the aluminum wheel (summer), and the right one is from the steel wheel (winter). In case anyone is wondering, they attach to special lugnuts that also have threads on the outside.

[ktm525]

I would refer to those as hubcaps since they cover the lugs/hub. Center cap covers the axle nut and wheelcovers cover the entire wheel.

done. I think.