All About Hubcaps

What a Hubcap Does

Besides decoration, a hubcap serves a critical maintenance purpose. It usually covers at least the center hub or spindle of the car. This helps prevent moisture, grime, road salt, and other debris from collecting along the spindle and causing premature wear. So, hubcaps look neat and serve a purpose.

Vintage Chevrolet hub cap

While various regions use different words for car parts, consistent terminology is helpful.

Center cap – This device covers the center of the wheel but leaves the lug nuts exposed. They offer minimal protection for the spindle and wheel bearings.

Hubcaps – These cover at least the center of the wheel and the lug nuts. They often extend to cover the entire face of the wheel. In either case, hubcaps offer more protection for the wheel. If the hubcap extends to the edge of the wheel, it’s often a solid piece of metal, which provides the most protection for the wheel and spindle.

Rim – This is the edge of the metal wheel where the edge of the rubber tire rests. The rim is designed to grab and restrain the edge of the tire so it stays on the wheel as the tire flexes and shifts under loads.

Wheel – This is the large circular metal piece on which the tire is mounted. It can be made from different substances, like steel or billet aluminum.

Wheel covers – These are similar to a hubcap. They generally cover the entire wheel area and mimic the wheel spokes, allowing dirt and moisture to reach the wheel area. They are often made with plastic to save weight and minimize cost.

Hubcap Installation

The process for installing hubcaps varies depending on the type of covering.

Center Caps

OEM center cap

These pieces are often installed on a wheel with a few bolts or tension clips. If using bolts, ensure they are tight, and the cap is centered on the wheel. Either pry off the clips or remove the bolts to remove the center cap. We recommend storing the wrench for removing the center cap near the car’s lug wrench.

Hubcaps

Hubcaps are usually held in a place with tension clips that snap onto the wheel’s rim. If the hubcap covers the entire wheel face, there will be an opening for the tire valve stem to slide through. Align the hubcap and press on, ensuring all clips engage on the rim.

Look carefully at the hubcap after installation. It should sit flush against the wheel or rim area. To remove, use the edge of the lug nut wrench or a large screwdriver to pry away from the wheel. Work along the circumference of the hubcap until all clips are loose.

Wheel Covers

As with hubcaps, clips hold wheel covers against the rim. You can pry these off using the end of the lug wrench or a large screwdriver. Loosen a portion of the wheel cover, and then work around the rim’s circumference until the wheel cover pops off. To install, align the tire valve stem with the opening in the wheel cover and then push gently along all portions of the edge of the cover. Be sure all tension clips engage with the wheel. If necessary, a rubber mallet can be used for installation.

Aftermarket wheel cover

Hubcap Styles

Wheel coverings come in a wide variety of designs and shapes. Are you seeking a specific look, or do you want to help limit the wheel’s hub exposure to the elements? Here are a few popular designs.

Moon disk

Knock-off – Originally designed for race cars to expedite wheel removal, a classic knock-off wheel typically has two or three wings (or bars) instead of lug nuts. These wings can be struck to loosen the fastener quickly from the center spindle. A knock-off hubcap can be functional or simulate a classic look. But it’s is not used to hold the wheel against the spindle.

Moon discs – Dean Moon was a Southern California hot rodder who popularized his spun aluminum cover. Many companies have copied them, but they are still marketed by Mooneyes USA.

Smoothies – These coverings fit across the entire wheel and are slightly convex. They are often polished or chromed without any ridges or etchings, hence their name.

Care and Cost of Hubcaps

Attaching and removing the cover is the biggest concern with wheel coverings. If you are not careful, you could damage the tension clips used to hold the covers in place.

When washing the vehicle, apply soap and water to the hubcap’s surface and use a soft-bristled brush to remove any grime. If the covers are made with chrome or polished stainless steel, apply appropriate polish for the material and wax to preserve the finish. If the item is plastic, try not to scratch the surface or remove the cover’s color.

Related: 7 Steps for Cleaning Wheels and Rims

The price of hubcaps varies based on material and look. Expect to pay at least $100 for a high-quality wheel cover set. If you want to replicate an original design from an older classic, you could pay upwards of $500 for a set of four hubcaps.

Hubcaps and other wheel coverings make it easy to dress up a wheel. Since they are easy to remove, you can change the look of your ride quickly and inexpensively.