Plastic cap in the center of the wheel (Vibe 2009)

[alex_nrv]

HeyWhen I bought my Vibe two months ago, I noticed that one of the cap on my wheels was missing. My wheels are the Pontiac stock 17" mags. The cap I am talking about is the cap that goes in the center of the wheel to hide the big center bolt, and this cap bears the Pontiac logo.I asked the dealer about this cap and he told me it was 32$... isn't that a rip-off ??Anybody knows where I could get those (online..?) for cheaper?Thanks a looooot!P.S.: I live in Canada.

[Entelodont]

It's a known service issue, the dealer ought to replace and repair the center caps.http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...age=2

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by Entelodont »It's a known service issue, the dealer ought to replace and repair the center caps.http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...age=2x2If you do get the dealer to replace them for you, I highly recommend using some clear RTV silicone on them to prevent any future losses. Both mine and my mom's were all siliconed on before we drove them off the lot. We haven't lost any yet. The best part about the silicone is once it's dry, it turns rubbery and peels right off, so if you need new tires or need to have a wheel re-mounted and/or balanced or something, just pop the center cap out, peel the old silicone off and put some new silicone around the edge and you're good to go .

[dayday]

Mine were replaced by the dealer as part the service bulletin.

[Bikerscum]

Quote, originally posted by dayday »Mine were replaced by the dealer as part the service bulletin. +1, mine too. I did order a set from gmpartsdirect.com just in case... think they were like 8 bux each, could be wrong.

[alex_nrv]

Where could I get part numbers for GM cars? I need to check prices at gmpartsdirect.com but they don't seem to offer a search function beside the part #...THX!

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by alex_nrv »Where could I get part numbers for GM cars? I need to check prices at gmpartsdirect.com but they don't seem to offer a search function beside the part #...THX!The part number for the revised center cap is: #20835338. You can view the updated service bulletin in this thread.

[alex_nrv]

Thanks J!I finally bought the cap at GM Chevrolet directly, in person... GMPartsDirect.com doesn't deliver to Canada it seems... It was 32$ at the dealer, I asked for a deal price from the manager, he lowered it to 26$... I was sooo pissed of missing the cap, it was irritating me to a very high point! So I felt like... let's buy it and I'll have it at least... and for sure, I will try to silicon them to the wheels... I don't want to have to buy another one.What is that suggested stuff to glue them? I don't know what it is (RTV silicone)...Thanks a lot!

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by alex_nrv »What is that suggested stuff to glue them? I don't know what it is (RTV silicone)...Clear RTV silicone:It can be found at Walmart, Auto Zone, etc. for under $5.00.

[alex_nrv]

Ah nice, Canadian Tire has a lot of Permatex products. Thx!!!

[ParknVibe]

I still have my three original caps on plus one "original type" replacement cap. I did not use silicone....I used a loop of Velcro in the wheel ring. It has been in for three years plus.

[alex_nrv]

Cool, but I don't really get how you have it holding down with Velcro? Can you elaborate? It's intriguing

[ParknVibe]

Quote, originally posted by alex_nrv »Cool, but I don't really get how you have it holding down with Velcro? Can you elaborate? It's intriguing Get a lenght of 1/2" wide of the felt part of Velco. Cut the lenght to fit the inside circumference of the alum wheel's hole. (do not use the hook part). Clean the surface with alcohol. (dry fit it into the hole.) Then stick it around the inside with 1/8" from the outside edge and flush to the back edge. This will reduce the diameter of the hole but will allow you to still push in the cap. The cap's outside diameter is a bit to small to lock tight into the alum. 's hole. You will still be able to remove the cap. And, if need be you can remove the velcro tape. The velcro keeps the cap locked in but allows for flexing and movement of the cap's tabs.As long as the tape sticks in there it should stay put. DO NOT overlap the tape...keep it even by a (removed) joint or a slight gap is okay. DO NOT put any velcro on the cap!When it comes time to remove the tire, you will be able to remove the cap without cutting it out.

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by ParknVibe »Get a lenght of 1/2" wide of the felt part of Velco. Cut the lenght to fit the inside circumference of the alum wheel's hole. (do not use the hook part). Clean the surface with alcohol. (dry fit it into the hole.) Then stick it around the inside with 1/8" from the outside edge and flush to the back edge. This will reduce the diameter of the hole but will allow you to still push in the cap. The cap's outside diameter is a bit to small to lock tight into the alum. 's hole. You will still be able to remove the cap. And, if need be you can remove the velcro tape. The velcro keeps the cap locked in but allows for flexing and movement of the cap's tabs.As long as the tape sticks in there it should stay put. DO NOT overlap the tape...keep it even by a (removed) joint or a slight gap is okay. DO NOT put any velcro on the cap!When it comes time to remove the tire, you will be able to remove the cap without cutting it out.I like the velcro idea, but it sounds to me like there's still too much risk of losing center cap/s.I have had to remove a couple of my center caps that were originally siliconed in by the dealer. It's extremely easy to remove them even with the silicone on there. Simply use the handle end of a screwdriver to "pop" the cap out of the wheel (tap the (removed) end of the screwdriver against the backside of the cap) and then use your fingers to peel the silicone off the center cap and the center of the wheel. Takes all of maybe 2 minutes. The silicone is very rubbery when dry so it's very easy to peel off and doesn't cause any damage to the wheel or center cap. I did discover that the dealer seemed to go a little silicone crazy with our center caps and when I re-installed the ones I had to remove, I used alot less silicone so they will be even easier to remove next time. It takes hardly any silicone to keep them in place. Just my $.02 though .

[ParknVibe]

Quote, originally posted by J_TO_ENVY »I like the velcro idea, but it sounds to me like there's still too much risk of losing center cap/s.I have had to remove a couple of my center caps that were originally siliconed in by the dealer. It's extremely easy to remove them even with the silicone on there. Simply use the handle end of a screwdriver to "pop" the cap out of the wheel (tap the (removed) end of the screwdriver against the backside of the cap) and then use your fingers to peel the silicone off the center cap and the center of the wheel. Takes all of maybe 2 minutes. The silicone is very rubbery when dry so it's very easy to peel off and doesn't cause any damage to the wheel or center cap. I did discover that the dealer seemed to go a little silicone crazy with our center caps and when I re-installed the ones I had to remove, I used alot less silicone so they will be even easier to remove next time. It takes hardly any silicone to keep them in place. Just my $.02 though . Well, I did write about what I did using the Velcro about three years ago. I don't think anyone tried my idea, I also mentioned it a few times since when other's lost their caps.... Anyway you choose to do fix it is up to you. My way is reversible without taking the wheel off.

[alex_nrv]

I like both ideas, clever ways to fix the issue!At first, I thought I had to put velcro on both parts to hold them together. But basically, the velcro isn't used for it's "velcro" properties here, but only for the way the soft side will react under pressure.But be aware, not all velcro are sticky, you did mention velcro, but not the sticky kind. Other kinds doesn't have the glue side and are meant to be swewn on fabric.Thanks for your ideas, I will see this spring which one I will be using!Plus, in May, a roadtrip to New-Brunswick is planned, the wheels will have a lot of spin to proove they will hold all summer long!Thx again

[ParknVibe]

Yes I did mean to use the self-stick type. Small two foot roll should be enough. Measure the depth of the surface. Make sure you leave about 1/8 inch setback from the outside edge. so that the caps face can sit near flush to the hole as it was intended. Second, you must make sure that the plastic tap is extended past the back edge. This is what will lock it in place.Also Clean the surface with Alcohol before appling the velcro.

[alex_nrv]

My only concern is about the heat and dirt. I always had trouble in the past with self-adhesive velcro that would unstick under sun heat. But these wheels type don't get really hot in the summer so it should be fine I guess.Then you have water and dirt. I don't know if the dirt can get in there easily but this would shorten the life of the tape.

[domsmith]

The uses for plastic caps are endless. Use round plastic caps around your home to help ensure safety and comfort when using household objects such as tools and tubing. Plastic caps come in a variety of sizes and shapes for a multitude of uses.

[alex_nrv]

I just re-installed my summer wheels and cleaned them good, plus I added the RTV silicone to the wheels center cap.
I noticed that 2 of my caps were "cream/light tan" colored, and 1 was black. The third one I bought from GM was also black. When I tried the new cap on the wheel, I heard a very satisfying CLICKKK... so I wondered WHY those caps were falling off... but them, when I tried the "cream" ones, I understood why... they are made too loose. They don't even snap/catch the lip inside the wheel. When the cream colored cap is installed, you can make it spin while it's installed... and it wobbles when you tap on it. So, since my car has been bought second hand and was probably 99% sure a lease and had all its service done at the dealer, caps went missing with the previous owner and he got one or some of them replaced while being under lease.

It's really unpleasant to know that my dealer denied any bulletins or problems linked to those caps falling off... very bad customer care. He looked at me like I was an alien.
I went online at GM and chatted with a representative, telling her about the guy who denied such bulletin, though SHE confirmed the existance... and she wanted me to call her if I wanted to pursue the case... I could have ended up with one or some free wheel caps for the inconvenient, but I decided to let it slide, since I already got one cap and was going to silicone/adhesive them to my wheel so it wouldn't happen again.

I had the silicone to go in between 4 teeth (3 beeds) at the top, and the same at the bottom, plus I made a big ring where the teeth and wheel meet. I hope it'll be enough... but it probably will.
Thanks to J plus anyone who helped with this!

[vibenvy]

Thanks to J plus anyone who helped with this!

You're very welcome! I'm sure the silicone you used will be more than enough. The ones I have removed and re-installed have very little silicone on them and we haven't had any issues with losing them.

[ParknVibe]

I just re-installed my summer wheels and cleaned them good, plus I added the RTV silicone to the wheels center cap.
I noticed that 2 of my caps were "cream/light tan" colored, and 1 was black. The third one I bought from GM was also black. When I tried the new cap on the wheel, I heard a very satisfying CLICKKK... so I wondered WHY those caps were falling off... but them, when I tried the "cream" ones, I understood why... they are made too loose. They don't even snap/catch the lip inside the wheel. When the cream colored cap is installed, you can make it spin while it's installed... and it wobbles when you tap on it. So, since my car has been bought second hand and was probably 99% sure a lease and had all its service done at the dealer, caps went missing with the previous owner and he got one or some of them replaced while being under lease.

It's really unpleasant to know that my dealer denied any bulletins or problems linked to those caps falling off... very bad customer care. He looked at me like I was an alien.
I went online at GM and chatted with a representative, telling her about the guy who denied such bulletin, though SHE confirmed the existance... and she wanted me to call her if I wanted to pursue the case... I could have ended up with one or some free wheel caps for the inconvenient, but I decided to let it slide, since I already got one cap and was going to silicone/adhesive them to my wheel so it wouldn't happen again.

I had the silicone to go in between 4 teeth (3 beeds) at the top, and the same at the bottom, plus I made a big ring where the teeth and wheel meet. I hope it'll be enough... but it probably will.
Thanks to J plus anyone who helped with this!

The "cream" color caps are the original ones. I guess the black one is the new improved ones. I have all cream ones and a cream replacement I bought for I think it was $14.00 back in 2008. ( I am the guy who used the velcro fix)

[alex_nrv]

I just re-installed my summer wheels and cleaned them good, plus I added the RTV silicone to the wheels center cap.
I noticed that 2 of my caps were "cream/light tan" colored, and 1 was black. The third one I bought from GM was also black. When I tried the new cap on the wheel, I heard a very satisfying CLICKKK... so I wondered WHY those caps were falling off... but them, when I tried the "cream" ones, I understood why... they are made too loose. They don't even snap/catch the lip inside the wheel. When the cream colored cap is installed, you can make it spin while it's installed... and it wobbles when you tap on it. So, since my car has been bought second hand and was probably 99% sure a lease and had all its service done at the dealer, caps went missing with the previous owner and he got one or some of them replaced while being under lease.

It's really unpleasant to know that my dealer denied any bulletins or problems linked to those caps falling off... very bad customer care. He looked at me like I was an alien.
I went online at GM and chatted with a representative, telling her about the guy who denied such bulletin, though SHE confirmed the existance... and she wanted me to call her if I wanted to pursue the case... I could have ended up with one or some free wheel caps for the inconvenient, but I decided to let it slide, since I already got one cap and was going to silicone/adhesive them to my wheel so it wouldn't happen again.

I had the silicone to go in between 4 teeth (3 beeds) at the top, and the same at the bottom, plus I made a big ring where the teeth and wheel meet. I hope it'll be enough... but it probably will.
Thanks to J plus anyone who helped with this!

The "cream" color caps are the original ones. I guess the black one is the new improved ones. I have all cream ones and a cream replacement I bought for I think it was $14.00 back in 2008. ( I am the guy who used the velcro fix)

Thinking of it now, trying to fix the caps with VELCRO wouldn't be the best option for the BLACK caps, because it is really tight already. Silicone will secure them in case something goes bad (a really deep pot hole???). But for the cream ones, the velcro could have done the job hands down, but I had already started with silicone.