Re: [Chrysler300] Wire Wheel covers and hub caps

Hello 300’ly to all!

Both issues of noise from wire wheel covers and wheel cover instability have been experienced by me on my ‘66 Corvair and my ‘57 300C. First the 300C. I put Coker Classic radials on Mopsy in 2003 on the existing wheels. Many balancing, alignment issues were overcome along with vibration. Then I had wheel cover creep issues to the point of valve stems being cut. I went so far as to remove the wheel covers and purchase sand and mix it with semi-gloss black Rustoleum paint and had it mixed like it was a non-skid surface paint. Then I brushed this on with a foam tipped hand “brush” on the inner part of the wheels where the wheel cover tangs would bite. After 6 hours drying time I re-installed the wheel covers and Voila! No creep! Then when I had other Coker tire issues and had to replace two tires I had metal valve stems placed and those wheel covers wouldn’t dare budge. Fast forward to 2011. Spring Meet. Tony Rinaldi and I make a deal for the last set of Stockton wheels left that he had in his possession. They arrive and go in the attic. February 2012, I’m fed up with the Cokers and replace them with American Classics since the Cokers go out of round and are losing air. Sure the American Classics are made by Coker but everyone I queried before pulling the $$ trigger said they perform differently and are far superior. I buy 5 new American Classics and mount them on the new Stockton wheels I got from Tony. Inflate them with Nitrogen. These are the wheels that were designed for radial tires and have the “knobs”. Rubber valve stems with plastic extenders. Totally different car instantly noticeable when backing out of the tire shop. Hunter Road Force balanced. Wheel alignment not changed when American Classics mounted. Wheel straight, hands at 9&3:00 going down road ( just like lady driving C wearing white gloves with husband in passenger seat in 300C advertisement...similar smile on my face). No wheel cover creep. Smooth as silk at over 100 MPH. Crossed that issue off the list!

Corvair OEM 13” wire wheel covers with triple winged center spinner cap. Brand new in original boxes and GM plastic wrappers....installed and on a car first time 4/27/13. After a month the left rear cover sounded like a clanking/clicking sound at low speed and when turning right. Removed wheel cover and tightened all nuts holding the cover together. Good for 3 days and then noise returned. Called Clark’s Corvairs and they along with a bunch of Corvair enthusiasts on Corvair web forums agreed that putting tape around the inner ridge of the wheel cover that snugs to wheel will make it quiet. Had some black felt tape with one-sided adhesive and wrapped it in said location. Voila! No noise. The wheel flex on the left rear wheel caused the cover to make the noise against the rim surface to which it made contact. Supposedly there is a weight bias of the power train and battery box over the left rear wheel that induces greater wheel flex. Hope this helps! Rob Kern