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Pontiac Hubcaps Wheel Covers Information
Pontiac, like all GM hubcaps have gone through many changes in the last few years. The day of the stainless steel hubcap that you could kick on with your foot are over. Today's Pontiac wheel covers (like all other makes) are now all constructed from plastic and have employed a variety of retention systems. Some of these systems are good, some are bad, but each requires specific installation techniques and special care while installing to ensure long term retention. For Pontiac vehicles from the last 20 years, there are three different attachment systems.
Pontiac basic snap on wire retention
Mostly this system was used on early 90's Pontiac's. On this type ( fig. A) there are a series of plastic clips and a wire that runs between the clip around the back diameter of the hubcap.
Fig. A
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These wheel covers are easy to snap on. Once the wheel covers is correctly aligned with the valve stem opening, one just simply taps the hubcap into place. There is a groove in the wheel rim in which the plastic clips seat, the wire keeps a constant pressure on the clips holding the wheel cover in place.
Loss of these wheel covers occurs when the plastic tabs are broken causing the wheel cover to become loose, so care must be taken when installing. Once these tabs are broken, the hubcap will no longer remain secure and will need replacement. We always recommend using a rubber mallet or the back of a fist to "tap" them into place when installing. Do not use excessive force, the hubcaps should snap into place with moderate pressure. No Pontiac since 92 has used this system.
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Pontiac hubcaps that bolt on behind lugs
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Some of the mid 90's GM's such as the Grand Am used this type of hubcap attachment system. In my opinion, this was the best system ever and unless the installation was completely wrong, it was virtually impossible to lose these wheel covers. Simply, the wheel covers were held on by the lug nuts. Installation takes a bit more work, but the extra effort is worth the knowledge that you should never under normal circumstances loose them.
Most believe that you have to jack up the car and remove all of the lugs nuts in order to install this type of hubcap, but that is simply not true. As you can see ( fig B), two of the holes in this Grand Am hubcap are large than the others. You only need to remove the lugs from the three smaller holes. The lugs in the two larger holes can remain on the car, as the holes are large enough that the hubcap will slide over them.
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Fig. B
Once the hubcap is in place and the lugs are reinstalled, the decorative little plastic caps will them thread down onto the lug nut, as these lug nuts have outside threads (fig. D below). The installation is now complete.
Pontiac hubcaps that screw on to the lug nuts
The third and most common hubcap retention system uses plastic caps (fig. C) that attach to the hubcap and thread on to the lug nuts. The lug nuts on these vehicles (fig. D) have outside threads that accommodate the plastic caps. All late model Pontiac passenger car and mini van use this system.
 
Fig. C plastic caps Fig. D GM threaded lug
Installation of these wheel covers is easy. Line up the wheel cover to the lug nuts being careful to ensure the valve stem is lined up with the slot that has been precut into the wheel covers. If you turn the hubcap over, there is usually a notch indicating where the valve stem should go (fig. E).
Fig E. valve stem slot
Using a 3/4" socket or lugs wrench, thread the caps onto the lugs. Do not over tighten them or use any kind of air tool as this will strip out the threads, possibly causing a future loss. These lug caps only need to be snug tight.
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There are numerous websites on the net that state "center cap not included" or do not show an emblem on the photo of the hubcaps. All of our factory original hubcaps and wheel covers come complete with the logo, center caps (if applicable) and any attachment caps that are needed. Any replica style will be clearly marked in the picture and on the order page. We don't like deception and would love for you to return to us for all your hubcap and wheel needs.
For more information such as determining your correct Pontiac hubcaps size and other question, please visit our FAQ and article page. For further discussion or question, give us a call at 800-301-5814. As always, we are happy to help.
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1-800-301-5814
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Hubcap Heaven
13840 Bellaire Rd
Cleveland, Ohio 44135
1-800-301-5814
Hours EST
M-F 9:00AM-6:00PM
Sat 9:00AM-3:00PM
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