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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Vdub-Dj on 18 May 2011, 16:42

Title: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: Vdub-Dj on 18 May 2011, 16:42
At the risk of sounding really stupid here im going to ask, can i lose these caps off the rear wheels? the only reason im asking is because my centre caps wont go on as they are in the way.

(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b479/hughes1982/IMG_0622.jpg)

Thought id better double  check before i went ahead just incase they did some kind of important job that i know nothing about  :embarassed:
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: wrobstar21 on 18 May 2011, 16:53
Don't they cover/protect the hub-nut and stuff?
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: mark-mk3gti on 18 May 2011, 16:54
as far as i am aware, ideally best to keep em, cos they keep the greece on the part they are protecting, think ive seen where they get flattened a bit with a hammer, but better to do that than not have em at all! :)

someone else will hopefully give you a better description as to what they protect, lol
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: trog_nfs on 18 May 2011, 17:00
they are dust caps for the hubs. Keep grease in and rubbish out of  your bearings etc. Flatten it with a mallet, but don't do too far, as the centre of the hub can poke out a bit, and you'll end up punching a hole in the middle of the cap if you go too far. (Not speaking from experience here of course  :grin:)
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: LowlifeDubber on 18 May 2011, 17:01
They are just grease retainers for your rear wheel bearing.They should ideally stay on to stop crap getting in and destroying your bearing.
At most you can flatten it off with a hammer as a lot of them get abused when refitted by a monkey anyway.

I would leave them on though. :wink:


Edit:God damn Trog beat me too it! :evil:
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: Vdub-Dj on 18 May 2011, 17:02
yeah i was kinda thinking that myself. for some reason though they are not on the fronts just baffled me a bit and i thought maybe they had been taken off.  :undecided:
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: Vdub-Dj on 18 May 2011, 17:04
Ah i see nice one fellas! just as well i asked then eh! best get my mallet out  :grin:
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: LowlifeDubber on 18 May 2011, 17:07
yeah i was kinda thinking that myself. for some reason though they are not on the fronts just baffled me a bit and i thought maybe they had been taken off.  :undecided:

They arnt on the fronts as they are a different type of wheel bearing.The fronts are sealed bearings and the rears are taper roller bearings and require a cap to cover them up. :smiley:
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: tweed on 18 May 2011, 17:10
Hold on a minute. What are the wheels from?
Why can't you trim the wheel center?
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: dom on 18 May 2011, 17:19
Use spacers?
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: tweed on 18 May 2011, 17:31
Use spacers?

enen better  :grin:
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 18 May 2011, 18:47
Flatten the cap slightly or stick some small spacers on. jobs a goodun.
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: mark-mk3gti on 18 May 2011, 18:48
3mm spacers do the job i think.. or does it need to be 5mm :)
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: Vdub-Dj on 18 May 2011, 19:12
there 17 tt comps. ive tried flattening the cap a bit but still no joy. dont want to go too mad and muller them  :undecided:
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 18 May 2011, 19:21
Spacers it is then.
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: Vdub-Dj on 18 May 2011, 19:23
I guess so! On to my next question then what size and how much do they cost?
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: dom on 18 May 2011, 19:29
I guess so! On to my next question then what size and how much do they cost?

I'd go 5mm to be safe, there are some dirt cheap ones on ebay, not sure what the quality would be like though:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5x100-5mm-ally-wheel-spacers-x4-/260636945173?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3caf2c2b15#ht_500wt_922 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5x100-5mm-ally-wheel-spacers-x4-/260636945173?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3caf2c2b15#ht_500wt_922)
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: Vdub-Dj on 18 May 2011, 19:35
funny enough i was just looking at these myself. might be worth a punt for a tenner. all for a couple of £2 centre caps! Its expensive being a perfectionist  :grin:
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: VW BUSH on 18 May 2011, 19:39
leave the rear wheel nuts loose

























joke
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: Vdub-Dj on 18 May 2011, 19:40
 :grin: :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: Vdub-Dj on 18 May 2011, 19:46
Right ive bought them fingers crossed theyll be ok  :smiley:
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: VW BUSH on 18 May 2011, 19:48
Tipex VW on the bearing caps while you wait :cool:
Title: Re: Anyone know if i can lose these?
Post by: Wayne on 18 May 2011, 23:35
3mm or 5mm spacers will sort the problem.