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Steel wheel center cap question

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by gregp, Feb 20, 2011.

  1. Feb 20, 2011 at 5:59 PM
    #1
    gregp

    gregp [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Just curious - for those of you with steel wheels - do your center caps have 4 or 6 steel clips?
    The reason I ask is that I was refused a new center cap installation from my dealership, by the service manager, because the new center cap had only 4 steel clips (there are 6 molded slots in the cap), and it was sent back for another. When I got home, I checked my remaining 3 caps, and they all have only 4 clips - yet the caps I see on E-Bay all have 6.
    Now, I am inclined to request my dealer to replace all 4 of my caps (my '11 is 3 weeks old).
    Thanks!
     
  2. Feb 20, 2011 at 8:06 PM
    #2
    shawnd2

    shawnd2 Well-Known Member

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    Mine had 6 slots, but only 4 steel clips.

    Shawn
     
  3. Feb 20, 2011 at 10:51 PM
    #3
    island808

    island808 Me l've got brains.

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    might be the new style. Saving a couple bucks.
    See if he gets in caps with 4 clips.
     
  4. Feb 21, 2011 at 4:29 AM
    #4
    gregp

    gregp [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Saving a couple of bucks (probably less than $1 for two stamped steel clips) at the expense of customer satisfaction in terms of having these things fall off, almost immediately in my case, does not seem to be good managerial judgement, IMO.
    I would just buy 8 or 10 more clips, but they are not sold separately, which is odd to me, because when you remove the caps, you have a 50/50 chance of having the clip stay in the cap, or in the wheel.
     
  5. Sep 25, 2011 at 12:25 PM
    #5
    rjlem

    rjlem Well-Known Member

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    What are your experiences with reinstalling the plastic center caps on the steel wheel ?

    I did a tire rotation (2011 reg cab 4X4) and of course the center cap separated themselves from the wheels.

    I was not able to snap the center cap back onto the wheel once the wheel was bolted back on the truck. I ended up pulling the wheel off, clipping the center cap back onto the wheel (not a real secure or snug fit) and juggling the whole thing back onto the hub.

    From what I could see, the clips extend back past the backside of the wheel. Maybe I wasn’t using enough persuasion on the center cap. It is a real pain to try to hold the center cap in place and mount up the wheel to the studs.

    Let me know if you are able to install the center caps once the wheels are on the truck.

    I’ll try any new method in six months or so.
     
  6. Sep 25, 2011 at 12:32 PM
    #6
    Tacoma Mike

    Tacoma Mike 48 Year Chrysler/Toyota/ASE/ Master Tech.RETIRED

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    Yeup we take them off with the wheel on 2011's. There's no insert slot per say to pop them off. once they are set to go back on we line them up and tap them on with a rubber mallet. Your hand won't do it. Tap right on the edge of the face and work your way around. hitting to hard or in the center will crack them. One you do it once or twice you'll get the idea.
     
  7. Sep 25, 2011 at 12:34 PM
    #7
    Tacoma Mike

    Tacoma Mike 48 Year Chrysler/Toyota/ASE/ Master Tech.RETIRED

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    Caps have 4 clips only.
    If they fall off they were not put on correctly. BELIEVE ME they are a PITA to lock in but once they are they just don't come off.
     
  8. Sep 25, 2011 at 12:39 PM
    #8
    rjlem

    rjlem Well-Known Member

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    Wow! Thanks for the quick reply.

    Next rotation, I’ll put the wheels on and try the rubber mallet method.

    Thanks.
     

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