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Center Hubs for alloy wheels?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by chrisrappl, Aug 11, 2020.

  1. chrisrappl

    chrisrappl Junior Member

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    We have a 2017 Prime with plastic wheel covers.
    My understanding is that the wheel covers help with mileage because maybe they have less resistance or are more aerodynamic that the alloy wheels by themselves.
    The other benefit is that they protect the wheels from minor scuffs.
    The two on the passenger side are scuffed (Starbucks drive thru), but presentable, so I'll probably keep using them for now.
    The alloy wheels are good looking in my opinion, but they would need a center hub cover to look complete.
    Is there such a thing?
    If so, any info would be appreciated.
    Thanks
     
  2. illumiN8i

    illumiN8i Active Member

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    Search for "center cap" on priuschat. There are center caps available and lots of discussion threads about them.
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    On McGeorge Toyota parts site, enter vehicle description for any 4th Gen, then search for "wheels". One of the first hits will show category "wheels". Click that and you'll get to a parts diagram showing the centre cap. AFAIK that cap will fit any fourth gen rim.

    They're about $20 apiece? There's cheaper knock offs on eBay but fit-finish might be an issue. I went that route but had to make some dremel adjustments.
     
  4. Tips

    Tips Member

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    Remove the center caps from the hub caps and glue the caps to 1" cut from swimming nuddle then insert into the wheel center holes!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  5. Washingtonian

    Washingtonian Senior Member

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    Have you actually done that? The center caps on the wheel covers are about 2 and 5/16" in diameter and the correct center caps for the wheel center is 2". Looks like they wouldn't fit very well. I removed my wheel covers and bought the center caps when the car was less than a month old and stored the covers in my garage. The idea is, when I sell my car in the future, the odds are that I will have curb rash on the wheels. I can reinstall the wheel covers and they will look like new.
     
  6. Tips

    Tips Member

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    Yes I have . They have been in place for one year. I used hot glue for gluing too the swimming nuddle foam.



    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  7. Tips

    Tips Member

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  8. mistermojorizin

    mistermojorizin Active Member

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    this is the part number:
    for the prime

    The silver ones don't fit perfectly but they can be made to fit I've read. But the OEM ones made for the prime are these black ones.
     
    TGrracie likes this.
  9. Tips

    Tips Member

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  10. Worldbuyer

    Worldbuyer Junior Member

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    I looked at the $80 caps and thought, that's a bit much.... So I ordered some know offs on Ebay that said they fit th 60mm needed, which they did but the tabs aren't long enough to hold it in place. Ebay is awful and got no assistance except for $5 I could return them. Money was not the issue, it's the principle. If you order knock offs, I'd go with Amazon due to the return policy and assistance. Be well,
     
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  11. Tips

    Tips Member

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    Here is the original caps from the airo plastic covers mounted on a pcs. of foam swimming noddle and installed into the wheel! 20200827_111819.jpeg 20200827_111842.jpeg 20200827_111828.jpeg

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  12. Washingtonian

    Washingtonian Senior Member

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    Thanks for the pics. Since they are almost a half inch larger in diameter, I assume that they lay over the wheel and the swimming noddles (noodles?) are glued to the plastic emblem and the inside of the aluminum wheel. Were they originally just press fit in the wheel cover or did you have to damage the wheel cover to remove them?
     
  13. Tips

    Tips Member

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    No damage too the caps! They can be reintalled too the hubcaps if you decide to in the future.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  14. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Clever! That's the least expensive center cap I have seen so far.(y)
     
  15. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Very clever. I looked at the back side of my plastic wheel covers and tried pushing at the short two tabs, but they didn't seem to have any give. It felt like they were glued in place. But the single big tab did have give and flexed the center cap a little. Where did you push and how hard di you have to push?
     
  16. Tips

    Tips Member

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    I cannot remember them being difficult too remove! But they are plastic. You may have to grab the tabs and twist and push a little at each. It will come!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    jerrymildred likes this.
  17. Brent nishimoto

    Brent nishimoto New Member

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    Very nice. It looks like brake dust tends to settle in the cracks behind the wheel covers. I wonder about the long term effects of the wheel finish without being able to clean behind the wheel covers. Even more justification for removing them entirely like you’ve done!
     
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  18. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I just removed mine to replace them with center caps. Not sure I'l be able to get the black scars off the wheels.
     
  19. Tips

    Tips Member

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    The black scars are a issue for sure! I have not found any product that works very well. I removed my caps when I got home and it was almost impossible to remove these black marks. I'm going to dab some silver paint on these area's.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    jerrymildred likes this.
  20. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Probably the most expeditious remedy. Hide the scars with makeup. LOL! The wheels appear to be painted, so we can't just polish them out unless we want to take the whole wheel times four and sand blast, polish, and refinish them. That would be a ton of work.