DIY Easy Smooth Wheel Covers

[royanddoreen]

Would like to see a pic of the blazer with the pizza pans installed.

[TedV]

Originally Posted by raylit20

The epoxy forms an incredibly strong bond between the cap and cap mounting bore when used correctly.


If you follow the guide, the covers will not come off while driving.

and you may never get a tire shop to mount and balance tires on those rims again.

most of the current rim clamp style tire machines clamp only to the rim so you can probably get tires mounted on the rim once you epoxy in the center cap.

Most every tire balance machine uses a center shaft that has to pass through the center hole you just epoxied shut. There is a reason the cap is removable.

Since anyone who epoxies the center hole closed might still want a smooth ride, google dynabeads as it will be the only way to balance it out without using a hammer and chisel. On the plus side, the vibration will keep you from going over 30 to 40mph possibly saving fuel.

[raylit20]

We're talking about bonding dissimilar materials with common all purpose epoxy. The center cap can be easily knocked out by a blow with the butt end of a hammer if necessary; The cap can then be reinstalled at a later time if it has been handled carefully.

The Blazer has since been sold. I retained the covers for future project use.

[freebeard]

Spinners!

...and, for the ultimate aerodynamics, replace the...

...bolt w/ nut and washers with a T-nut on the back of the cap:


And replace the acorn nut with a button-head Allen bolt:


I hear newer tire changing machines don't require a hole in the center of the wheel to fit over the post. True story? Oh, I see TedV covered it.

[Redbaron]

Hi

Here is picture of my car wheel cover. I made it plastic wheelcover and 3mm polycarbonate board. I cut center of plastic wheelcover away and glue parts with polyurethane together.

[Gealii]

Originally Posted by miltonarity1212

All I can say is that one of the primary reasons that there is a gaps in wheels is cooling for the brakes which generate a lot of heat under braking (especially when at high speeds on the motorway etc) and then without proper vent can cause the discs to warp and a damage and reduce the braking effectiveness (and fail motoring tests like the MOT in the UK) and will increase you maintenance costs.

The ventilation is not a problem as experienced hypermilers hardly ever use their brakes. it is much more efficient to turn the engine off and coast to a stop to the point where when we use our brakes we're only going 10mph otherwise the brakes only get used in emergency situations. The ventilation is a problem to normal drivers as they tend to speed up and then stomp on the brakes such as city driving where we might not even reach the speed limit as other drivers meet and exceed the limit only to brake hard

[WesternStarSCR]

Lots of wide open area to the in-board side of the wheels too. I am noticing some older cars with stock metal hubcaps that cover a lot of area as well, almost smooth as a full on moonie / pizza pan. Here's to driving like your brakes don't work... Cheers!

[freebeard]

Hi Redbaron. One post and Thanked already; you're off to a good start. What car? Any other ecomods?

Originally Posted by miltonarity1212

A better way to improve the fuel economy would be other tips in the comments such a rev management wheel balancing good servicing etc. However I would also suggest changing your fuel and air filters to better ones as these can provide cleaner air thus a better burn and better efficiency. Also you could try reducing weight etc by taking out anything you do not need,

Why not all of the above; Redbaron may have already done those things. I start with the bumpers and spare tire.

Louvers:

[radioranger]

seems like a clean design although i think it will pop off on you , maybe better to pull the wheel and get a washer to fit inside and out maybe fender washers would fit for you , and put a bolt right through then a washer either side of the pan , followed with an acorn nut to clench th edeal, look up mcmaster carr for all the hardware they are great on nuts bolts and all kind if fasteners even metal etc, great site, every imaginable size washer,

[jray3]

Designed for dirt track racers, so guaranteed not to pop off!
Mud Plugs - Racing Wheels | Racing Parts | (636) 677-1320
I like the idea of that clamp ring in the rim and then three low-profile fasteners for the cover. Should be much quieter than the steel grippers on my stainless salt flat discs, and possibly lighter as well.