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cooperhawk · 03-23-2010, 01:38 PM

I need to replace the chrome cans that cover the axle ends. I also need to find the ten hole chrome rings that back the lug nuts. Has anyone found a source for these from Airstream?

cooperhawk · 03-23-2010, 02:05 PM

Need to pop this to the new posts.

bkahler · 03-25-2010, 06:25 PM

I hope you come up with a source as we need the same things for our 310.

Brad

Mike Leary · 03-25-2010, 06:35 PM

I'd sure like to see some pics; not sure what wheel covers you have.

345bill · 04-05-2010, 01:07 PM

Did you try: www.hubcapzone.com

Mike Leary · 04-05-2010, 03:08 PM

Or what we have:

Wheel Masters: Home

kmpro · 04-05-2010, 04:39 PM

Wheel Masters thats it man!

streamquest · 04-16-2010, 11:25 PM

Has anyone found the holy grail on this one?? I'm in the same boat.

Thanks.

ScrapIrony-2 · 04-18-2010, 01:09 AM

If they aren't too rusted out, you can get them re-chromed...a lot of biker shops have contacts.

kmpro · 04-18-2010, 08:30 AM

Wheel Masters will have everything you need to replace. If you are wanting to replace a full set of chrome inserts you can get them at Camping World too. A full set is about $ 350 for 4 wheels and I'm sure more if you have the tag axle.
Mine are severely rusted, PO went to coast and did not wash off salt water thus ruining chrome inserts and caps. To make matters worse he painted them aluminum. Naval Jelly removed the paint and a lot of the rust, but I will have to buy a new set to have decent looking wheels.
Mike

Mike Leary · 04-18-2010, 08:51 AM

Our coach lives close to salt water for six months out of the year, I've had no problems with the Wheel Masters. I do use Mother's cleaner a lot to keep them shiny and protected.

kmpro · 04-20-2010, 08:13 AM

Mother's polish works wonders on chrome for both looks and protection. Wish the PO had used it.
Mike

streamquest · 04-21-2010, 10:00 PM

I just ordered a set from Wheel-Master, and will report back when they arrive.

Mike Leary · 04-21-2010, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by streamquest

I just ordered a set from Wheel-Master, and will report back when they arrive.

Great product, get the pliers for the lug nut covers.

streamquest · 04-25-2010, 10:15 PM

Thanks for the suggestion on the pliers Mike.

Believe it or not, the sales person at Wheel Masters told me they weren't worth it. Hope her boss isn't reading this!! But since I'm kind of a tool-nut, I'll probably end up buying them anyway. Can't wait till the shiny new stuff arrives!
In the meantime, I am working on removing the heavily pitted clear coat from my wheels in preparation for polishing them. Hoping the "Remove-All" does the trick.

Charly

streamquest · 04-28-2010, 10:27 PM

So the axle covers arrived from Wheelmasters today.

My initial excitement was quickly dampened upon further inspection.

They seemed nice enough at first glance, but then I noticed that in addition to the holes to accommodate the lug nuts, there are two smaller holes opposite one another, cut into this same surface for some unknown purpose (at least when used with my Alcoa aluminum wheels). This is the case with the five lug fronts, as well as with the ten lug rears. I could live with this.

Then it gets worse. The rear axle covers project outward about five or six inches which is great. However, into opposite sides of this cylindrical shape are cut two slots about 3/4'' long by maybe 1/8 '' wide. These slots each accommodate a REALLY CHEESEY piece of folded angle stock. One leg of this little piece of folded metal is "pop riveted" to the inside of this "cylinder" FROM THE INSIDE! (which leaves the randomly expanded end of the two rivets exposed on the outside of the axle cover). The other leg of the angle protrudes through the slot, and has a hole ( about 1/4'') drilled though it. So as you look at the wheel, you see the circular end of the axle cover with two projecting square "tabs" (with 1/4'' holes) opposite one another, facing you.
I'm told that these "tabs with holes" are meant to accommodate some sort of tubes extended from the inner and outer tire air valves.

In my case there is no need to extend the air valves. Maybe for a different application they would serve their purpose. The "tabs" are cheap, sharp, and poorly crafted (read "Made in China"), and virtually guarantee a minor or major laceration with every washing of the wheel. It would be an exaggeration to compare them to the spinning knives of a chariot wheel, or James Bond's Aston Martin, but you get the idea.

So do I drill out the rivets, remove the tabs, and live with the vacant slots and rivet holes? Or, send them back and seek a different source?

Another source, anyone?

ScrapIrony-2 · 04-29-2010, 03:28 PM

An acid bath and a rechroming is still a viable alternative...have no idea what the cost would be, just the results, if the cans are salvageable...m

cooperhawk · 04-29-2010, 03:47 PM

I have been monitoring this ongoing discussion and it looks like we are all having the same problem. I have found some really good cans that I can purchase from Alcoa. They are a little bit spendy, but probably of good quality. Its the ten hole flat ring that I can't find. Camping World or J C Whitney do not have them in the correct size.

I have been told that recent environmental regulations have driven most chroming shops out of business. Anyway I can't find one locally. There used to be several.

The search continues.

ScrapIrony-2 · 04-29-2010, 04:16 PM

There is a place in Grand Junction, Colorado that does several re-surfacing metalizers, but they are infrequent neighbors to Silverton, and we are currently in Austin, Texas...the pertinent info just ain't at hand...God bless the EPA...dump chemicals on a forest fire of unbelievable proportions using carbon-footprint machines of pretty impressive output on a conflagration of utterly incomprehensible output, but shut down the chromers...but, heck, they mean well, and they ARE employed...I need to retire...oh, WAIT!!!, I AM...

streamquest · 05-01-2010, 12:46 AM

My first set is now on its way back to Wheelmasters.

After a Google search of "wheel simulators", I've ordered another set from a company in California called "Pacific Dualies". I'll let you know how they come through. They're alleged to be constructed of all stainless.

The new set will supposedly mount by removing three lug nuts per wheel, which will attach a spacer/cover over (or actually around) all of the wheel lugs. The one piece axle cover (with faux lug nuts attached ) is supposed to then attach to this spacer. This one piece assembly eliminates the need for the five or ten individual lug nut covers per wheel.

I have my fingers crossed, and hope it won't look too tacky.