Hub cap clips, how to install

[ORCoaster]

I finally got 16 of those little clips for the four chrome hub caps I found earlier.  Any advice on how to install them.  I figured you would just slip them in the hole and press the longer curved clip back and over the steel wheel.  Not so.  Do I need to remove the wheels to get at the backside to be able to hammer them over and down?  Am I missing a tool that does the work?

I didn't have a lot of time to explore options last night.  The UPS guy comes kind of late and the sun was already setting when I was out puzzling this out.  I need those caps on to cover up the lug nuts, make it look better and use my investment.  Clips were cheaper than the shipping.  But took a month to get em.

Let me hear what you know. 

[R.O.R-2.0]

all mine have just pushed in. not super duper easy, but its easy.

post a pic of the clips, ive seen about 3 different styles..

[maxfax]

Take the wheels off and use some hammer therapy..   Where did you find clips?

[R.O.R-2.0]

ive NEVER had to hammer clips in a wheel.

nor would i ever try it. they pop in by hand. he just hasnt figured it out yet.

if you cant figure it out, meet me half way and i will show you how to do it..

[maxfax]

I guess it depends on how good his clips are...  I've been robbing them from other cars at the yard and quite a few of them just don;t fit as tight as they should anymore.. Never had to hammer them in, but I have had to hammer them to stay tight..   If he got new ones I wanna know where...

[ORCoaster]

This is what I have and where I got them and how much I paid.  I may take a pair of needle nosed pliers to the two little tabs on the opposite side of the big clip.  The do slip in by hand but do not stay on that edge of the hole.  Not catching.  Looking at the picture of the top one.  Which is what I have my clips don't have much of a point that turns up like they show.  Almost like it miss the press or something. 

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Hub_Cap_Clip/

R.O.R's is this an excuse to drive?  Funny you should offer as this weekend I am Way south in CB.  So halfway is where Newport?  

[maxfax]

Yup, those be the critters!!  IF you can get them to stick in there long enough to get the hub cap on they will stay put.. But that is a pain.. Bending the tabs with pliers would probably be a good bet..

Usually it's the big tab I've had to mess with on used ones.. I've broken it off when hitting them with a hammer though, could be because mine were old too...

[Luckypabst]

What's worked for me:

Slide the large hook-clip thing through and over the edge of the hole, toward the outside of the wheel. Then with a large slotted screwdriver or similar tool, push the hook fully against the edge of the hole until the two little tabs engage the opposite edge of the hole.

They often fall off when removing the hubcaps, sometimes while installing and always double check the mechanic/tire shop because they can't seem to grasp the operating theory of these clips.

Chris

[maxfax]

Holy crap, they do know how to charge for shipping!!  I guess it would be worth it though to have some good clips..  I've often though of gluing them on there.. Maybe with something like RTV that would scrape off easily if need be...

[ORCoaster]

Told you the shipping was more than the price of the clips.  But I did order some other items.  That chrome stripping that goes around all the windows on our VW's.  They were closing it out or had a clearance on it so I bought 4 rolls for half price.  Then there were the lights that go in the European bumpers that I got with my body kit.  Still have to get all this on but it is not nice outside at all and I am in the process of tearing out and rebuilding some walls in the bedroom.  Have to get that done by Christmas, company may come and I can't have the house be all torn up now can I?  Well, I can but you know who can't!

I really wasn't watching the little clips as much as I should have I guess.  I did try the screwdriver thing and just got angry so I quit.  I knew better.  I was hungry, it was dark and cold and I really didn't need the aggravation after the crappy day at work.  So, I figured best go ask and try again. 
So thanks for the words of wisdom and I will post a picture if I get them on this weekend. 

Will hubcaps add MPG?  If not I am getting stickers, lots of em.

[R.O.R-2.0]

This is what I have and where I got them and how much I paid.  I may take a pair of needle nosed pliers to the two little tabs on the opposite side of the big clip.  The do slip in by hand but do not stay on that edge of the hole.  Not catching.  Looking at the picture of the top one.  Which is what I have my clips don't have much of a point that turns up like they show.  Almost like it miss the press or something. 

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Hub_Cap_Clip/

R.O.R's is this an excuse to drive?  Funny you should offer as this weekend I am Way south in CB.  So halfway is where Newport?  

no, hewport is not half way. thats like 2 trips farther than i want to make. im off hwy 30. 15 miles east of astoria, or 40 miles west of the longview bridge. newport is ~200 miles from me. cannon beach is about 35-40 miles from me. seaside would be closer than newport..

cant help today tho, because im on my way to rainier to help my friend work on his mk3 jetta.

[ORCoaster]

Yeah, best wait till I over weekend in Portland not Coos Bay.

[ORCoaster]

I tried again and these things are so brittle the big finger that is supposed to clip over the wheel keeps breaking on me.  Time to ask the supplier what is up.  No hubs on yet.  Maybe not at all if I keep breaking them.

[R.O.R-2.0]

I tried again and these things are so brittle the big finger that is supposed to clip over the wheel keeps breaking on me.  Time to ask the supplier what is up.  No hubs on yet.  Maybe not at all if I keep breaking them.

i have never broken one before in my life.. i dunno whats going on here.

[ORCoaster]

I am blaming the metal that was used.  It is not plastic enough to be moved from the position in which it was stamped.  Going back to talk to the supplier.