Alcoa center cap

[raveson]

Any one out there know where I can find a center cap for a rear 19.5" Alcoa 10 lug wheel? How it weaseled off the coach seeing its held on with a ring secured by all lugs?????? Alcoa does not have the old style any more. Brad, you are the best bet . Lost it somewhere between Portland and Glacier Nat Park Montana Thanks in advance!

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by raveson

Any one out there know where I can find a center cap for a rear 19.5" Alcoa 10 lug wheel? How it weaseled off the coach seeing its held on with a ring secured by all lugs?????? Alcoa does not have the old style any more. Brad, you are the best bet . Lost it somewhere between Portland and Glacier Nat Park Montana Thanks in advance!

These are the ones I use. http://www.southwestwheel.com/store/p-1800-011912.aspx They do have an Alcoa sticker instead of the Airstream sticker.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by raveson

Any one out there know where I can find a center cap for a rear 19.5" Alcoa 10 lug wheel? How it weaseled off the coach seeing its held on with a ring secured by all lugs?????? Alcoa does not have the old style any more. Brad, you are the best bet . Lost it somewhere between Portland and Glacier Nat Park Montana Thanks in advance!

Sorry, the ones from the 345 are long gone

Looks like the link Dan provided is what you need.

Brad

[Kota]

Check the source in my parts thread.

[gloran]

If you were trying to purchase new aluminum rims what would you have to specify? P30 chassis 19.5x6" 10 holes. Any other information needed for ordering aluminum rims that would match existing, like a model or style number?

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by gloran

If you were trying to purchase new aluminum rims what would you have to specify? P30 chassis 19.5x6" 10 holes. Any other information needed for ordering aluminum rims that would match existing, like a model or style number?

Alcoa no longer makes the wheel but these guys sometimes have them. Rickson Wheel Manufacturing

It is the 7.25" bolt circle and 5.25" bore, part # 761000-1 &-2.

[stephrnrvt]

Looking to change my wheels from steel to aluminum wheels . I have a
1982 280 airstream motorhome . (P30 chassis wheel is 19.5 +6 , 5/10 on 7.25).
Any one know where I can buy new aluminum wheels. Not opposed to changing hubs for new wheels. Any info would be appreciated.

[Isuzusweet]

Yes having aluminum rims is nice indeed but buying a set of rims from Rickson can get very expensive indeed, $3000+ for tandem and $2000+ for single axles.

Please keep in mind that you CANNOT run both alloy rims on your dual rear axle as the wheel studs are too short and the alloy rims will eventually weld themselves together with corrosion if you don't use a spacer (which can be dangerous).

I had thought about going with alloys but wanted the ability to rotate ALL my wheels, which you can't do with alloys, and also felt my money would be better spent else where.

If you're looking for a real quality SS wheel simulator, these are really good quality and far easier to keep clean than alloy. A whole hellava lot cheaper too, under $300 for the kit. They also sell air extenders for the rear wheels which makes taking pressure readings for the dually a breeze.

:: Phoenix USA :: DOT SETS

Looking for item NG961

IMHO If you can get the alloy's for a great price on the cheap, get them. If you're spending $3000+ for a set of alloys to reduce your unsprung weight by 20 lbs per wheel to save gas; it would take a millenium to recoup the $3000+ spent.

Cheers
Tony

[elbundi]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

These are the ones I use. http://www.southwestwheel.com/store/p-1800-011912.aspx They do have an Alcoa sticker instead of the Airstream sticker.

Hey Smartstream

I bought two of the 011912 hubs and finally had the time to install them yesterday evening. However, the retaining ring which holds the existing hub is too small to fit over the new hub, by about a 1/8th of an inch! The new hub snugly fits over the old one.

I called southwestwheel this morning and they don't stock the retaining ring.
The parts person was not really helpful and all he could say was they didn't carry this part and didn't know of who did! <vent>Some people are just not very helpful</vent>

I've done a little search but nothing so far. If all else fails I may just have two machined locally.

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by elbundi

Hey Smartstream

I bought two of the 011912 hubs and finally had the time to install them yesterday evening. However, the retaining ring which holds the existing hub is too small to fit over the new hub, by about a 1/8th of an inch! The new hub snugly fits over the old one.

I called southwestwheel this morning and they don't stock the retaining ring.
The parts person was not really helpful and all he could say was they didn't carry this part and didn't know of who did! <vent>Some people are just not very helpful</vent>

I've done a little search but nothing so far. If all else fails I may just have two machined locally.

Have you got a couple of pictures, I'm not exactly sure what you are referring to as the new hub? On mine the washer part of the lug nuts is what actually holds the center cap. It's not much of a lip but it seems to hold it pretty tight.

[elbundi]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

Have you got a couple of pictures, I'm not exactly sure what you are referring to as the new hub? On mine the washer part of the lug nuts is what actually holds the center cap. It's not much of a lip but it seems to hold it pretty tight.

Not sure what to do next other than clean things up for now.

Maybe strip and re chrome the existing hubs. Those retaining rings are also on the front (5 hole), duals (10 hole), and tags (10 hole) on an '85 345.

I'm sure the washers on the lug nuts could hold the new hub in place but I don't think it would be as neat as how Airstream had originally set it up.

Hope the pictures help illustrate.

[gloran]

Is there any way the inside of the retainer ring can be made a little larger to slide over the new hubs?

[elbundi]

Originally Posted by gloran

Is there any way the inside of the retainer ring can be made a little larger to slide over the new hubs?

You mean make 10 snips and fold up? That's a thought.

I bought some 'chrome' paint and tried it on a rusty lug nut cover. Not so shiny on close up, a mask at best.

[Smartstream]

I took a couple of pictures of my wheels. Please excuse how dirty they are.

The front caps fit over the ring and are held by the washer part of the lug nuts.



My rear wheels don't use the ring but the cap fits the same way.



If you look close you can see the edge of the caps but stand back a few feet and they look like any other set up. It amazes me how little the lip is that holds the cap but it seems to do the job.

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by elbundi

You mean make 10 snips and fold up? That's a thought.

I bought some 'chrome' paint and tried it on a rusty lug nut cover. Not so shiny on close up, a mask at best.

The lug nut covers at Southwest Wheel are plastic and $2.95 each. The center caps are aluminum so no rust but they are very thin and dent easily.

[gloran]

I was thinking if you had the centers lathe out to a close tolerance they would still stay on with a little clear silicone caulk. It might be difficult to maintain a clean smooth look snipping and bending, but it might work too.

[elbundi]

I found these guys [ Southwestern Machine & Tool Works, Inc. ], they're are on my way to work.

I couldn't be happier in finding a local machine shop who know their stuff.

Inside diameter of the retainer ring turned on one of their CNC machines saved having two new ones custom made (couldn't find any replacements elsewhere)

[Waipio Rim]

There's a recent ad on Craigslist in Boise, ID, by a guy who is parting out a fire damaged '93 land yacht with 6 lug 19.5" Alcoas, search for "Airstream" to find the ad. If I recall correctly, my front hubs are 5 lug.

[chriscraw]

From the attached pics, seems I lost the center hub from the front passenger wheel. Can anyone provide a link/ideas to a source for a replacement center hub as shown in the remaining hub pic ?

[gloran]

I have one of the front center caps and four of the rear hub caps. Front is in very good shape, the rear ones have a few small dents. Pm me if your interested. Also have the lug nut caps.