How do the trim rings attach? (And what kind are these?)

[covert]

Hi guys,

OK, this is going to seem like a silly question, but:  How exactly to the trim rings attach to the wheels? 

I bought this set of wheels on ebay for $200 -- they're 8x15, and when I first won the bid, I thought they were standard style rallye wheels.  When they actually came in, they had slots instead of circles like the usual ones you see (original and re-makes...)  At first I thought that they must not be real mopar wheels, but each one had an old mopar original parts sticker on it, so I figured I'd give them a go. 

I'm pretty happy with them, I think they turned out looking pretty good.

Here's my problem though -- one of the brackets on one wheel that holds the trim ring on is bent, so its loose and it makes a terrible noise on the road.  I can't tell if the bracket is directly attached to the trim ring, or its some kind of in-between spacer.  When I try to pry the trim ring off, it feels like I'm going to tear the ring up before it pops loose. 

if its all one piece, I'll leave it be and order a new set eventually.  But if these are supposed to come off like hub caps or something, I'll keep prying until they pop and then fix that bracket... 

Thanks,
Covert

[MEK-Dangerfield]

This is new to me on those type of wheels, but they look cool. 

Take a tire iron and slowly pry around the edges of the trim ring, the brackets will come loose eventually. That's the only way they come off.


  Mike

[Chryco Psycho]

the trim rings have claws that dig into the rim , it is a separate piece that the chrome ring is formed over that holds the ring on
 the rims are the Cop rims used on Caravelles/ st Regis /Super Coupes etc

[miketyler]

those rims resemble the classic Chevy rally rim commonly found on early camaros and vettes.

[RusTy/SE]

Covert, are you certain those are 8"? Without the telltale gap on the inside of the trim ring they appear to be 7" wheels. Just don't want you to mislead yourself I'm using those same wheels for my car; 7" up front, 8" out back. Finding a full set for $200 is a very good catch Although I was able to score a 7" set on ebay for just over $200 including shipping, the 8" pair was $254 also on ebay. Here's a pic of the 8" pair. I believe the lack of 'nubs' for holding the dog-dish caps is the easy way to tell the difference between the two sizes. Can anyone confirm this?

RusTy/SE
(Russ)

[covert]

Hi Russ,

Well, I'm pretty sure they are 8" -- The tires on there are new installs, and those are 245 tires.  And I measured -- I assume 8" is supposed to be edge to edge, not some other measurement.

There is a gap between the bottom of the trim ring and the wheel -- Its real hard to tell from the straight on picture though. 

The wheels came with trim rings, and really awful center caps.  Not regular center caps, they actually looked chrome, geez, I don't even know what.  They weren't police moon caps, something else I haven't seen before.  So I ordered the caps you see on them there.  They are the new plastic aftermarket caps -- which I was nervous about, but you actually can't even tell looking at them.  (I bought plastic cause I didn't want to pour another $150 down an already bad hole if they didn't turn out OK..)

Thanks guys
Covert

[HP2]

The measurement is taken from inside the wheel lip, on the bead area, to the opposite bead area on the inside of the lip. Since the edge of a steel wheel flares out, it is possible to off an inch becasue of material thickness and the flare on the edge.

[RusTy/SE]

That's cool covert, you're right I can see the gap - just seemed so small compared to other 7" trim rings on 8" wheels i've seen I measured mine inside the wheel lip as HP2 mentioned and took some pics...

Russ