1956 Wire wheel hub cap retaining spring replacement

[woodeye]

The wire hub cap on my 56 continual kit keeps popping out from rim but not off. I purchased new retaining springs. Is there any info, tutorials or video on how to replace them. I assume there some tricks.
I'm told there should be 5 springs on each hub cap. I only have 4 springs on the continental kit hub cap and I checked one of the other hubcaps and it only has 3, but that one stays in place.
Thanks

This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.

 

[Mrujoint]

The wire hub cap on my 56 continual kit keeps popping out from rim but not off. I purchased new retaining springs. Is there any info, tutorials or video on how to replace them. I assume there some tricks.
I'm told there should be 5 springs on each hub cap. I only have 4 springs on the continental kit hub cap and I checked one of the other hubcaps and it only has 3, but that one stays in place.
Thanks

You can get decent replacement clips for $4.77 each from NPD. Once they're bent, they don't really hold as well, even if you try to bend them back. They can be very frustrating, and in my opinion, just an overall poor design. However, they do work once installed properly and your hubcaps are pretty expensive and hard to find (IMHO) in decent shape out in the market. Good Luck!

 

[paul5456]

You can get decent replacement clips for $4.77 each from NPD. Once they're bent, they don't really hold as well, even if you try to bend them back. They can be very frustrating, and in my opinion, just an overall poor design. However, they do work once installed properly and your hubcaps are pretty expensive and hard to find (IMHO) in decent shape out in the market. Good Luck!

Reproductions are available - both original style and ones without the clips

 

[paul5456]

I have a very good multi picture illustration on mounting the clips and wire wheel. Unfortunately I cannot post it here. Looks like a Ford issued piece, but not sure about this. If you are interested in a copy, email me at pts 1231 at verizon dot net with your address and I will send you a copy

 

[swatson999]

You can get decent replacement clips for $4.77 each from NPD. Once they're bent, they don't really hold as well, even if you try to bend them back. They can be very frustrating, and in my opinion, just an overall poor design. However, they do work once installed properly and your hubcaps are pretty expensive and hard to find (IMHO) in decent shape out in the market. Good Luck!

I fought like the dickens with the ones that came on the 56 that I bought, after replacing the tires. Most infuriating thing ever. To get them on, I had to deflate the tire, knock the clips on, then put the wheel covers on (hoping against hope that about 4/5ths of the way through, one of them didn't go "ping" and pop out). And inevitable one would pop out when I pulled the cover out to check the tire pressure or reinflate the tire after installing the covers Grrrrr. One or two of them even *broke*.

I said to hell with it, bought all new and replaced them all, and had no issues since (other than them being *damned* stiff and necessitating pretty forceful smack to get them all to change modes and pull the wheel cover down properly).

My guess is old, work-hardened and brittle, and one too many times off and back on made them failure-prone.