Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

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Topic: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts? (Read 397 times) previous topic - next topic

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Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

August 06, 2020, 12:44:05 am

OK, I don't know the technical name, but the flaps you have to loosen with a wing nut screw where the dually tires are....

Every time before I start to travel I check the wing nuts and tighten them. Someone suggest I get "self locking" wing nut screws, but I still have the same problem. When I take a trip I check and tighten the wing nuts. However, invariably sometime on my trip while I'm driving I'll look in the side mirror and see the covers "flapping in the wind." I pull over and tighten them again, but I must say it's a major PITA - especially on a busy interstate highway

What am I doing wrong?

Re: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

Reply #1 – August 06, 2020, 01:09:02 am

I haven't found that problem in 6 years and 48K miles. Could someone have lubricated the threads so there isn't enough friction to keep them secured? It sounds like you properly tighten them at the beginning of the trip.

Re: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

Reply #2 – August 06, 2020, 02:40:03 am

Hi Cheryl. Maybe you just need to tighten those wing nuts tighter. Use a pair of pliers to make them really snug. I didn't like the way the 'wheel skirt' lock screws were done on mine so I changed to a longer screw (stainless all), washers and lock washers, and a keeper ring locktited on to keep the wingnut from disappearing. RonB

Re: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

Reply #3 – August 06, 2020, 07:47:10 am

On ours, I put a couple of rubber washers between the existing fender washers and then sandwiched the wheel flare between and snugged down. They haven't moved a bit.

Jon

Re: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

Reply #4 – August 06, 2020, 11:19:59 am

Jon That sounds like the easiest cure for this problem.
On my TK either the hinge was too far down, or measurements were wrong somewhere, and the position of the bottom of the wheel cover flap was as much as 1/2" too low. So just tightening the factory supplied wingnut would 'bow' the flap and cause an inch or so gap between the side skirt and flap. Also it just didn't feel right, the wingnut was never quite tight enough. There were enough problems that the factory changed the fasten down design, about 2000 or so to have a handwheel type knob sideways, with a through hole in the wheel skirt flap. Easier for service people to see the release mechanism. I don't know how many knobs go missing. I would at least carry spares, or attach a tether so it would be available. RonB

Re: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

Reply #5 – August 06, 2020, 11:21:23 am

Quote from: RonB - August 06, 2020, 02:40:03 am

Hi Cheryl. Maybe you just need to tighten those wing nuts tighter. Use a pair of pliers to make them really snug. I didn't like the way the 'wheel skirt' lock screws were done on mine so I changed to a longer screw (stainless all), washers and lock washers, and a keeper ring locktited on to keep the wingnut from disappearing. RonB

Thanks Ron - I've actually broken my right wrist twice and I aside from the part I'm fairly small, I don't have the strength as my wrist is loaded with "bionic parts." (plate, screws, and a bone graft). Looks like I'm going to the hardware store today and I'll take your photo on my phone to use as a guide.

Re: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

Reply #6 – August 06, 2020, 11:25:53 am

Quote from: RonB - August 06, 2020, 11:19:59 am

Jon That sounds like the easiest cure for this problem.
I would at least carry spares, or attach a tether so it would be available. RonB

OK, I'll try the washers first. Thanks...

Re: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

Reply #7 – August 06, 2020, 12:46:12 pm

Quote from: desertdivanm - August 06, 2020, 12:44:05 am

OK, I don't know the technical name, but the flaps you have to loosen with a wing nut screw where the dually tires are....

The correct 'nuts' are NOT wingnuts. They should be a rotary knob with a fairly substantial contact area, and backed up with a rubber washer. The combination provides a lot of friction that will prevent loosening while driving.

Steve

Re: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

Reply #8 – August 06, 2020, 12:52:49 pm

"Earlier" LDs used wing nuts to secure the fender flaps; I don't know when LD began using the rotary knobs. The shank is likely the same size; maybe call the factory and order four knobs if the wing nut and washer doesn't hold?

Re: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

Reply #9 – August 06, 2020, 01:30:05 pm

On my 96, the flap where the wingnut goes finally cracked and I needed to replace the whole cover.
When I ordered the cover from the Mothership, I also got the newer knobs and switched out the old wing nuts for the newer type used. Both side needed drilled out to make them work. Haven't had an issue in years since they were replaced.

Re: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

Reply #10 – August 06, 2020, 01:38:13 pm

Instead of using rubber washers, I use nylon washers, between the knob and skirt, to prevent scratching the skirts and the loosening of the knobs.
If this doesn't work, try putting a drop of wood glue into the knob's threads and then screwing it on. The wood glue doesn't bond well with metal and still be removable, with a little more force.
Loctite 242 Blue is another choice, instead of wood glue, available at any auto parts store.

Larry

Re: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

Reply #11 – August 06, 2020, 02:50:04 pm

I've always worried about losing a "rotary" plastic knob on my LD. Are these unique to Lazy Daze or could you find replacement ones online that are identical?

Re: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

Reply #12 – August 06, 2020, 02:56:34 pm

Quote from: brewersarcade - August 06, 2020, 02:50:04 pm

I've always worried about losing a "rotary" plastic knob on my LD. Are these unique to Lazy Daze or could you find replacement ones online that are identical?

Yes, I think. Check out this thread. I just bought the ones Larry mentioned. Fender Skirt Nuts/Knobs

Chris

Re: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

Reply #13 – August 06, 2020, 03:17:12 pm

Quote from: Chris Horst - August 06, 2020, 02:56:34 pm

Yes, I think. Check out this thread. I just bought the ones Larry mentioned. Fender Skirt Nuts/Knobs

Chris

Nice! Thanks for the link to that thread. Added those knobs onto my wishlist just in case. Thank you!

Re: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

Reply #14 – August 06, 2020, 03:23:25 pm

"I use nylon washers..."
---
I don't have washers under the fender flap knobs - they've never come loose - but I use (two) nylon washers under the acorn nut on the spare tire cover. Spreading the stress over the surface of the washer keeps the relatively small acorn fastener nut from from cracking the hole and allowing the spare tire cover to flap loose.

Re: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

Reply #15 – August 06, 2020, 03:43:09 pm

"I don't have washers under the fender flap knobs..."

They help to keep the painted surface of the skirt from being scuffed up!

Re: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

Reply #16 – August 07, 2020, 06:36:27 am

Yes Joan is correct, the wingnuts went away about 2002, I think. (Not like I filled in holes on my 'flaps', repainted them and put on the wing nuts as an innovation.) I just modified it to work better for me. Back through history the fender flaps have changed and morphed a bit. The new hand wheel knob seems to have been a good change, but I did my alteration before those painted knobs came along.
Thought I'd throw in a picture of my flap holder uppers. RonB

Re: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

Reply #17 – August 07, 2020, 10:52:02 am

"Thought I'd throw in a picture of my flap holder uppers."

Why didn't I think of that??

Re: Wheel Cover "Flap" and Wing Nuts?

Reply #18 – August 07, 2020, 03:19:00 pm

Quote from: RonB - August 07, 2020, 06:36:27 am

Thought I'd throw in a picture of my flap holder uppers. RonB

That's using your head, Ron. I usually use my head in a somewhat different manner. <bonk>

joel

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