EricOstovani

Does anyone know if there are any type of locks for the 82-83 bowling ball rims? Everytime I drive my 82 trans am, I am always worried that when I come back to my car that the bowling ball rims will be stolen. And I want to make sure they dont fall off either. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Someone gave me some good advice about using zip-ties. But zip-ties can be easily seen and easily cut with scizzors if a thief wants to get the expensive and rare bowling ball rims.

Please help me out.....Thank you

84olmpcboy

You could get locking lugnuts. Just switch back to the orinigals when you show the car so it dosn't look retarded.

EricOstovani

Well the problem is not the wheels that could be stolen, it is the hubcaps.
The lugnuts are what holds the wheel into place, but the hubcaps so over the wheels. As you may know, the 15 inch bowling ball rims are extremely rare and go for over $1000 on ebay for all four. I want to make sure that the bowling ball rims do not get stolen, because they could just snap off. Someone said to use RTV black windshield sealer, but I am not sure I want to. Let me know what you think about all this. Thanks

TurbomanKnight

They used to make metal retaining clips to basically tighten the mounting points against the wheel. Honestly, zip ties will work a lot better. And you can attach them so they cant be seen. And when it comes to removing the wheel. you can always use a long extension or a 4 way lug wrench.


http://www.knightreplicas.com/how_to...all_hub_c.html

Or http://www.knightfoundation.net/2008...php?f=2&t=6985

Theres a link to the pictures towards the bottom of the thread.

luvofjah

iTrader: (2)

The caps have a thin metal cover, but the attaching part is plastic... & if someone REALLY wants them, they will break off...

I bought some UV / Weather resistant Zip Ties and did something similar to the Knight Replicas site, but ended up using 10 a cap (over kill? / but less stress on all parts of cap than just 4).

I drilled holes (disregard the bottom right one) this allowed the zip tie to lie flat against both sides of the fin in the wheel for a snug fit...



Locking lugnuts are fine, but can be a pain in the ***, since the cap is zip tied to the wheel... I got tired of fussing with it, and removed my locks and just used regular nuts...

Not many good options... is this a daily driver?

Raf

EricOstovani

No.its not a daily driver. I use it once per week. The locking lugnuts dont seem like a bad idea, but wouldent they just lock the wheel? Are you telling me that these locking lugnuts actually lock the hubcap or wheel in place? Where can I get these locking lugnuts?

luvofjah

iTrader: (2)

Locking Lugnuts only lock the wheel...

As stated above, caps are plastic and can be pulled / broken...
People make repilica fiberglass ones, but they are heavier... Someone I know was working on another kind of material, lighter, but I haven't hread from him In a while...

Any auto parts store will sell locking lug nuts...

raf

EricOstovani

Someone told me that I should only use 5 retainer clips per wheel because they doubt I will ever get all ten on, it would require so much force to install the cap to the wheel, you would likely dent/buckle the cap trying to force it on the wheel.

Does anyone have any experience with this?
Please give me your suggestions.

88TransAmFreak

iTrader: (15)

Do you have a good alarm installed? Worse case scenario the thief might end up with one hubcap before the alarm starts going nuts. I understand that still sucks, but an alarm might be a good deterrent either way.

Ge a alarm with a good proximity sensor and do the zip tie thing and you'll be set

Oh and don't forget full coverage insurance (stated value), which I'm sure you already have Just remember if a thief wants it bad enough they are going to get it....

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

that is why you own a gun
get a viper alarm it is good money well spent and get full coverage stated value

Don't they make locking plastic caps that go over the hubcap and screw into the lugnut to prevent the hubcap from coming off down the road?

EricOstovani

Viper alarm huh? That sounds good...I will defiently put some research into that area! And I might buy a gun too

Yeah...these criminals can really be evil. Some of these guiys see hubcaps that belong to Knight Rider and now they want it. They have no morals or sense of carma.

But I heard that RTV silicone sealer can be good for applying the hubcaps.
Does anyone have any experience with this?