Hubcap spring clips

[Bill Daugherty]

Good afternoon,
I just bought five date matching wheels (10/60) for my car, and many of the spring clips that hold the hubcap on are missing. I see Stoddard has them, and am wondering how hard it is to replace them. Doesn't look like the rivets they used originally went all the way through the wheel. Thanks

[John Brooks]

If you by the rivet set P tool there pretty easy. Drill out the old ones undersize, and use a drift to push the tail out. Use a heavy hammer to set the new ones into a drop of wet paint.

[Mike Wilson]

I found the easiest way is to place the tool in a vise and then with the help of a friend holding the rim on the tool, set the rivet.

[Jim Clement]

you could also ask your local VW repair shop if you can borrow the tool..
it can be done on a one man job basis.. I did my whole set..
I put my clips on after the wheels were painted / powder coated.. and regret that.. as they are a different colour..

[Norm Miller]

I had to re-rivet the new wheels from Stoddard as they were barely peened and the clips were falling off.
It's odd that they haven't caught that mistake.
Mike Wilson's advice is spot on.
You can make a tool from a 1/2" piece of bar stock with a pocket in the head of it and a cut out on the side the shape of the clip.
Invert the wheel and place the rivet head with the clip on the top of the tool and peen the protruding rivet shaft, using a vise to hold the tool. Mash it flat for a tight fit.

Norm

[Jim Liberty]

I use the tool intended for the job in a "heavy" vice. After the set up, place a heavy double sided hammer on the rivet, and strike it with a heavier hammer. That way you avoid missing and hitting the wheel.

[Bill Daugherty]

Thanks!

[Ronald Sieber]

Questions:
1. If anyone has made this tool, would you mind posting a photo of it? Stoddard's tool is $50. I have some 1/2" stock...
2. When peening to rivet to flatten it, do you use a pointed cold chisel to "start" the flattening, or does the ball peen hammer suffice?

I need to do this. Thanks in advance for the advice on technique.
=rds

[Martin Benade]

Jim and others, one change to your procedure for safety. Never hit one hammer directly against another one, they are both hardened and either one could chip. Instead use a piece of bar stock to hammer on. Once a long time ago I was helping my boss fix a VW bumper using two hammers. A moment after I suggested that it was dangerous to do that, a very sharp chip the size of a pea lodged itself COMPLETELY inside my lip. I shudder to think of what it could do to an eyeball! (probably the only time he was wrong and I was right)

[Jim Liberty]

Great suggestion. Safety is always first on my mind. Every year "Hurt" is more painful.

[Keith Lee]

I don't know the quality of the Stoddard spring clips, but the Wolfsburg West ones are good quality that stand up to multiple flexings. The cheaper ones are utter crap and break after only a couple of flexings.

[Jim Clement]

so..
do you put them on before or after painting your wheels ??
I was told that the heat from the powder coating process affects the strength of the clips.. not sure that holds water.. just what I was told..

[Jim Liberty]

I've done it both ways. No problem either way. Better before, then you don't risk beating on a part not intended. Ask me how I know.