Icon Tubular UCA caps

To cap or not to cap? That is the question...I believe the caps on the tubular UCA's just stick on. Am I right? So if you put them on it should "help" keep them clean and dry but now you can't maintain them....Anyone?

 

I put them on mine, I like the idea of keeping the crud out as much as possible, they came with an extra set of double-sided tape so when I do the maintenance I slap them back on.

 

Do the caps actually help? The ball is still fully exposed on the bottom.

 

How long have you had them on?

 

If they are lubricated they should not look like those in the photo.

 

How did the water get in?

 

Yea...thats what I was thinking too. There are 3 out there...tri flow, finish line and dupont. They're probably all good. Once a year tho huh? Thats awesome. I think the DuPont is an aerosol. I don't know if that makes any diff. Already bought the caps...guess I could put them on a chain and hang them on my rear view!

 

I'm with you man. More worried about function than looks. I think they look fine without the caps anyway. I only bought them cause I was thinking about protection. Its not possible to lube them too often is it?

 

^Depends on what you use. The uniballs are teflon-lined. The Finish Line and Dupont fluids are teflon so you can use them as often as you want.

 

Thanks everyone for all your input!

 

I've had them on about 6 months through a dozen long dusty/sandy runs & the normal daily drive. I will need to pull the caps off & see how they look.

 

Any noises after six months?

 

In my experience with All-Pro UCAs with FK 1.25" stainless uniballs, the noise is there since new. The periodic lubrication is needed to reduce wear in the uniball's teflon liner (which would otherwise result increased slop).

 

Ok, I gotta ask...I have accepted that ubiballs make noise and it's normal. I know it's not that there is something wrong. But.......what is it??? Tight tolerance?

 

I have had my caps on my icon tubulars for maybe 3 months (not very long) I lubed em up pretty good with the triflow and let it sit to dry then added a little more etc. Then I capped em. I guess only time will tell how they look when I take the caps off.

 

I think the caps look sick but I do agree with them keeping humidity and dirt from the exposed bottom of the uni-ball. Everyone says that uni-balls make lots of noise, so I guess I got lucky with my Icons. 15k miles and lots of dirt and they are silent as can be.

 

So you didn't cap yours then....