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hubcap help!

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 5:33 am
by unsunken
So the story is, I'm owed a hubcap by a shop after they put on a new tire incorrectly. I bought my car as a CPO that I think was previously a rental, so I assumed these were factory hubcaps. However, they seem to be having trouble finding the hubcap. Can anyone help me figure out where these came from? I can post a better picture later if this one's not very clear. It's got the little Pontiac badge in the middle. If they're factory ones I need to tell them to search harder.

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Re: hubcap help! (unsunken)

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 6:44 am
by trb
Those are certainly not Vibe hubcaps. And they don't look like any other Pontiac ones I've seen. Maybe someone got some generic ones and put the Pontiac stick on center cap stickers on them? A closer up picture might help in figuring that out.If the Pontiac badge is a moulded in part of the plastic, maybe you can look on some of the hubcap websites with pictures to ID what vehicle it came on. Good luck!

Re: hubcap help! (trb)

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 6:52 am
by tpollauf
Quote, originally posted by trb »Those are certainly not Vibe hubcaps. And they don't look like any other Pontiac ones I've seen.Basically whoever you bought this used Vibe from KNEW what the OEM wheel covers cost and decided to go CHEAP ... as in REAL CHEAP Those are E-Bay specials from Taiwan or Malaysia or ......... well you get my point. Don't know where to even guide you except try to find the OEM ones. Your Vibe will look much better and thank you for them also

Re: hubcap help! (unsunken)

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 6:55 am
by tpollauf
I just noticed how precise your neighbors like to park their cars next to each other. Hopefully that is not a requirement on the street or your "bumpers" will get a real workout

Re: hubcap help! (tpollauf)

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 7:14 am
by unsunken
Thanks guys. They shop has now offered to give me either a set of chrome after market caps or non-chrome OEM ones. Guess I should take them up on that then.Also, I've since moved, but yes that's fairly typical parking for the street that I used to live in. Got really really good at parallel parking then.

Re: hubcap help! (unsunken)

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 7:55 am
by trb
One note, If you go with the OEM ones, they use special dual thread lug nuts on the wheels for the hub caps to screw onto. They do not mount like most regular hubcaps with clips on the outer rim. If you have the stock lug nuts, then the OEM hubcaps will bolt right up. It makes them much harder to fly off or to be stolen.Found these pics on ebay.Dual thread lug nuts:Also, there are different OEM hubcaps depending on what size motor you have. The 1.8L has one hubcap, and the 2.4L has a different one. And you can not mix them as the bolts have different spacing.1.8L:2.4L:

Re: hubcap help! (trb)

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:24 am
by vibenvy
Yep, those are definitely cheap aftermarket wheel covers that someone just stuck Pontiac arrowhead decals to.I would definitely recommend getting the proper OEM wheel covers. They will look much better and will last a lot longer. Good luck and be sure to post some more pictures of your Vibe when you get the wheel cover situation resolved .

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 1:13 pm
by vit
I would suggest going back to the dealer that sold you the car. They owe you a set of OEM hub caps, that's what buying a CPO means.