Car Help?

Jan 6, 2017 6:59 PM

I purchased replacement Volkswagen centre caps, but they don't seem to fit.

Both have the same part number (1J0 601 171) and face diameter (Image 1) of 55mm. However the clip diameter (Image 2) of the old centre cap is 50mm, with the replacement being 52mm.

Is this due to the old cap shrinking over usage? As I can't find any available for purchase with a 55mmx50mm size.

The clips on the old caps also seem to be curved inwards, rather than the straight design of the replacement.

Could anyone please tell me where I'd be able to find the replacement centre caps that I need?

Any help would be much appreciated!

the_more_you_know

Sometimes bad casts/molds are made.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Hubcapkingdom.com Call them and they can help you.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Well the difference is that the old ones were made in Italy and the new ones are made in Germany!! ...I have no good input...

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Probably just newer and less worn, if a mallet doesn't work, worst-case scenario file them down a bit by hand.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

They didn't cost much, I don't think it's worth the effort to file them down perfectly. I'll try the mallet idea

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Judging by the look of the old center cap there may be some corrosion that needs to be cleaned up on the rim thats taking up extra clearance

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

That could be it, i'll definitely check it out with a flashlight

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Try a tap with a mallet. Maybe put a rag over it too.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I was thinking about trying this, the old ones seem to just easily pop-in though. So i'm assuming i've got the wrong size.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

The diameter difference is likely do to the caps clips being "squeezed" for so long. I would try this tap method as well. I bet it'll work

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I concur.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Do they happen to have the metal retaining ring on the old ones?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I'm sorry, I don't know what that is

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Some of those caps with have a small ring around the clips to lock them in. I'll try to find a picture.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Oh, no it didn't have anything like that. I just gently pried it with a flat screwdriver and it popped out

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Check in the wheel hub where it was and see if it didn't pop out, they can be little buggers sometimes.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Put it in the freezer over night, than slam it in with a soft cap hammer

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

I was thinking about trying this, minus freezing. The old ones seem to just easily pop-in though. So i'm assuming i've got the wrong size.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Iam not joking, thats kinda the way the put them in in the first place.A friend of mine works for VW, i asked him and he gave me that answer

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Makes sense, cold would cause them to shrink a bit.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Oh. Well if the initial hammering doesn't work, i'll give freezing them first a try. Thanks man

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I had the same prob on my Mk3 Golf. I ended up removing two of the clips and gluing it in. Trying to hammer it in only dented them.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

One of the clips looks like it was removed from the old one, perhaps you're right

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

A lot of third party caps have clips bigger than the official. That is what is stopping them going in. Try heating them up before placing

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I'm almost certain that the allows have been replaced, so the old caps currently in them aren't genuine

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Alloys*

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0