Stupid Dust Cap Won't Seat

-

mopowers

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2006
Messages
8,534
Reaction score
4,747
Location
West Sacramento, CA
Any of you ever have this problem? I've got 73+ rotors and dust caps that I got from a wrecking yard years ago. I recently installed them on my 66 Dart and I can't get the caps to seat. They fit snug as they should and won't fall off, but for some reason the lip on the cap is hitting the bearing race before the cap is fully seated.

Have you guys every had this issue? Any ideas?

upload_2020-4-30_17-57-34.png
 
Yes mine are the same way, even with Córdoba 11.75 disc. I don’t worry as it makes it easier to remove them and they’re covered by hub caps. The covers I used are “new” replacement. If they’re visible you might be able to shorten the part that goes into the rotor.
 
I think most of the new rotors and bearing caps don't work together anymore. Maybe bend the insert part out a little and maybe then it won't fall off. I tried a few different ones and none of them fit tight.
 
Measure the gap. Send them to me and I'll chuck them up in the lathe and send them back. Or you can just hide all that ugliness behind a hub cap and never think of it again.
 
The problem is there too small and fall off. If they were too big now I know who will fix them.
 
Mine fit the same as well on 11.75 replacement rotors. Important to make sure that there is no cotter pin contact shedding metal underneath.
 
The problem is there too small and fall off. If they were too big now I know who will fix them.

They are not too small. They fit very snug and will definitely not fall off. The only problem is the lip that goes into the rotor is contacting the wheel bearing race, not allowing it to seat. I'm glad to hear this is a common problem. I'll probably just grind them down a tad like Blind Squirrel mentioned. Just wish I had a lathe to make them perfect.
 
I didn't have the depth problem, just were a shade too small to stay on.
 
Make sure you have depth for the spindle first.

Yeah, it's definitely bottoming out on the race, not the spindle. Maybe it's an aftermarket rotor that's not as tall. I'm going to pull dog dish off my 68 Dart and compare the parts with the 66 Dart I'm working on.
 
Mine are doing the same thing. When you go to tap them on , one side or the other ' rocks' in or out. One side will hit the flat rolled edge, but the other side moves away. I haven't checked into it yet. I assumed the spindle end was hitting the inside cap.
 
After taking it back off, they seem to be hitting the spindle, not the wheel bearing race. I took s dog dish off my 68 Dart to see how those caps fit, and same thing. I guess the caps are a tab too shallow to fully seat without hitting the spindle thread. Oh well, at least they're tight and won't fall off.

upload_2020-5-3_8-0-21.png
 
If you have a press. Find a short piece of pipe to support the outside lip so that the opening faces up. Find something suitable to place inside the cup and press the dimpled face out another (looks like) 1/8 of an inch. Use a little heat if necessary. If you do it right. it will even look completely stock. Warning: I can't remember if they are galvanized. Using to much heat can cause a dangerous situation. Go slow or go the redneck way. Set it over a whole and knock the **** out of it with a socket, extension, and a hammer all the while holding a Pearl beer.
 
If you have a press. Find a short piece of pipe to support the outside lip so that the opening faces up. Find something suitable to place inside the cup and press the dimpled face out another (looks like) 1/8 of an inch. Use a little heat if necessary. If you do it right. it will even look completely stock. Warning: I can't remember if they are galvanized. Using to much heat can cause a dangerous situation. Go slow or go the redneck way. Set it over a whole and knock the **** out of it with a socket, extension, and a hammer all the while holding a Pearl beer.

I tried the redneck way with a die in a vise, and a piece of pipe. I got it pretty close, still not all the way. It's good enough. a press would probably get it done. I may try that.
 
same story here with my new 11" rotors. I thought it was the race too, but I think the snout on the new rotors are shorter than the originals, or the cap is shallower. either way I don't want wheel bearing grease all over the freaking place .
 
-
Back
Top