I might add my experience of a non 300 car with a similar hubcap design mounted on replacement “new” wheels. Original 60-year-old front hubcap comes off in low-speed turn. I’ll fix this! I bend the tabs out evenly but with a bit more! Real struggle to get on – can’t come off now, can it.
But, flys off on a low-speed turn again. So, I see an advertisement for a set of slightly used replacements and buy them. All snap on evenly and easily. Guess what – they don’t fall off any more.
My theory is once the tabs get bent, you will never get them right again, and bending them more to get more grip just pre-loads more tension in them making them more susceptible to shock loads.
Anyway, my advice is to find a better hubcap if you have one that tends to come off. I ended up getting 8 for my 300C so hopefully 4 will stick.
Henry
From: chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of John Grady
Sent: Tuesday, 7 October 2025 10:58 PM
To: pffkllc@xxxxxxx
Cc: email Chrysler300 list server <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; Rich Barber <c300@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: {Chrysler 300} hub cap retention on Wheel
i wonder if wheels really “flex “ in use ? hard to believe , but maybe at microscopic level ?
Depends on stress and strain ,a design factor , then a safety factor against fatigue that was used ( vs weight) on wheels
Nascar and police wheels probably weigh more .. And steel is far better than aluminum to resist fatigue , ( aluminum lets go suddenly , steel tends to get cracks at stress risers ( scratches or weld edges ) that progress , (if it happens) on a properly designed steel wheel . Given the forces on the steel reduce greatly moving outward radially , one would expect cracks around lug nuts and inner web welds , but little flex in rim itself . I doubt tires change that situation much despite lots if coincidence leading to folklore. Rim would have cracked with any tire if fatigued.
Studebaker rims do crack , with hi miles but almost everything on a studebaker is 60% the size of a real car in extreme pursuit of lightness ( 1/4-20 holds doors on , # 12 fasteners (!what? !) where you expect 1/4-20 ) It worked they won mobilgas runs for years 26- 28 mpg with a carb and V8
Given the above , K hubcaps grip design must just not be up to the normal loosening forces caused by bumps and cornering ( with a bump!) , not wheel ? I mean other hubcaps do not fly off same wheels?
The grippers used need active spring flex once in place to keep tight and not be bent to where they “ take a set ” ( yield strength and spring temper of steel controls that , during flex action, like when putting on rim)
Big view , poor QC of hubcap manufacture , ( spring temper control) or just poor design, — not wheel?
Admittedly opinion , tempered by engineering view of this … ymmv
I bet weatherstrip adhesive would keep it on ( stays flexible) and and you can get it off
Thanks for that information Rich. I am trying to find "new" wheels for the K that will hold the hubcaps and not flex under the radial tires, but few if any have the "bumps" that hold the hubcaps on the wheels.
On Sunday, October 5, 2025 at 05:58:46 PM EDT, Rich Barber <c300@xxxxxxx> wrote:
https://www.stocktonwheel.com/ Website looks good, but… MS Copilot says: Stockton Wheel does appear to still be in business, at least nominally—but with caveats. The company has changed ownership since 2011, and while their website remains online, recent customer reports suggest serious issues with communication and service. Multiple users have noted unanswered emails, phone calls, and texts, even when trying to place orders.
Some enthusiasts speculate that the shop may still be doing limited wheel and rim repair or 4x4 wheel fabrication, but custom orders seem unreliable at best. Alternatives like Wheel Vintiques, Wheelsmith, and Pete Paulsen have been recommended by others in the community for more responsive service.
If you're considering contacting them, it might be worth a personal visit to their Fremont Street location in Stockton—just to confirm activity firsthand. Want help drafting a message or exploring other wheel sources?
I live 30 miles straight east of their shop and did some business with them years ago. Was unimpressed with their overall performance. Stockton has been one of the horrible CA cities forever. Not sure if Pete Paulsen is still in bidness.
Rich Barber
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