Any tricks when reinstalling the plastic wheel hubcap?

I had to replace a stripped wheel stud a few weeks ago that involved removing the hubcap. I had a hard time getting the hubcap to seat correctly and stay in place when reinstalling it. After 10 minutes I finally got it on the best I could by hand, with a few adjustments and finished it off with a few light taps with a plastic mallet. The next day after taking my truck out, I noticed it missing, but luckily found it on the side of the road. Are there any tricks to make sure it doesn't fall off again, I haven't reinstalled it yet in fear of it flying off again and this time not finding it, then having to buy a replacement?

 

Can u take a picture of the back?
There's ridges that hold the spring in place, maybe they are broken or the spring misaligned?

 

I made a few adjustments when I installed it last time, but I'm not sure if I did more harm than good. Here is a picture of the back, if it's not clear enough I can try a different angle. ~ Thanks for your response, Mark

 

There are a few springs that look like they could use an adjustment to give the tension needed to hold it in place. I will go over the springs and readjust them so all are uniform to provide the proper tension to hold it on, some don't appear to have enough gap/spring as others do. Would using a little blue Loctite on the rim lip where the spring touches be of any use or just cause more problems?

 

There isn't a large steel ring like a long circular paperclip that came off?
I thought all caps used that for tension. I don't have ur rims apparently, so I cannot be certain, I'm sorry.

Can u check the other caps to see if they have the metal circular ring?

 

I was expecting to see something like this.

 

Not that I know of as this is the first time having to reinstall the hubcap, it doesn't look like it held on with anything but the tension from the metal spring clips. I will look into it though, it's so light but with the potholes from winter I will try to make sure it doesn't come off again.

 

Lost a few of those caps myself, (the newer caps have only 4 spring tabs); don't lose'em no more...... applied 3 dabs of clear silicone.......

 

That looks like a better design.

 

Looks like someone with ur wheels came to help, good. Sorry I couldn't help, every cap I've removed was either held in by lugnut tension or circle spring

 

This is what the hubcap attaches to on the wheel.

 

Hey, that's ingenious use of caulking (better than using Loctite). I think I will try this on all my hubcaps even with the freezing temperatures we have been having now. ~ Thanks for that tip @Mongoose, Mark

 

I over thought the process the first time i removed mine to add wheel spacers... Now its so easy, literally line up the bolt holes, push it so it doesnt fall off, and give the center of the cap a good hit with your palm or the side of your fist, the rivets seat nicely all at once and it aint goin nowhere.