wheel center caps disappearing

[gncc600]

I've now had two center caps missing. About 2 1/2 months apart. Has anyone else had issues with them flying off on their own or is someone helping them disappear?

 

[tdiatlast]

Have you had your tired balanced more than 2-3 times? They're a very simple design, with 4 opposing plastic tabs that hold them in place. It's possible to bend/break one of the tabs, which compromises the holding integrity.
It's also possible someone is stealing them.

 

[redbarron55]

For a while the right front would dissappear.
I bought a bag of them off eBay for less than one from the dealer.
they seem to be staying put now.

 

[tdiatlast]

Different vehicle, but maybe of interest. I bought aftermarket center hub caps online for my 2005 Toyota Tundra. They were junk, never even installed them. The very pricey OEM caps were much more robust.

OP: Are you using OEM center caps? It's always possible there was a production run by the supplier that was defective.

 

[dzcad90]

Noticed one that was loose when I was fueling up last Monday so I pushed it back in. Looked again on Wednesday and it was gone.

$17 at the dealer got me a new one. They're available cheaper online, but I had the time and I was there so I went for it. I'll probably order a few to have on hand.

 

[redbarron55]

The bag of snap in centers I have hanging on the wall in the garage seems to protect my two JSWs from loss of the things now. Like garlic and vampires.
I think mine were cheap Chinese, but I could tell no difference in them.

 

[767wrench]

My loss of center caps was never ending until I user rtv to glue them in. And the stealership wouldn't replace them under 36k warranty because i could have hit a bump causing them to fall out. They have since lost a customer

 

[ZootsAlures]

For a while the right front would dissappear.
I bought a bag of them off eBay for less than one from the dealer.
they seem to be staying put now.

I too bought a four-pack off of eBay for $13 including shipping. I only lost one when I had my two fronts re-balanced by an independent shop in Bethany Beach, DE during the summer.

 

[showdown 42]

I too lost several ,a few drops of super glue does the trick. If you check all of your caps you may find some that are lose. Glue them.

 

[Jbratstdi]

I use stretch and seal to wrap around the outside of the tabs it holds them in place. Cheap way use waterproof tape wrap them you get a great fit you may need to wrap them one or two turns does the trick nicely

 

[gncc600]

Thanks for the advice... pretty sure they are just falling off. I ordered some on Amazon. I'll be gluing them on.

 

[tdiatlast]

When glued on, how do you remove them when the wheel needs balancing?

 

[MyAvocation]

When glued on, how do you remove them when the wheel needs balancing?

... or new tires mounted? If they are not a snug fit, then wrap the tabs with electrical tape. Worked on the Jetta.