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Rally Wheel Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter sj20343
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sj20343

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Just purchased a set of trim rings and rally caps from Zip for my '68. I'm replacing my P02 wheel covers.

My wheels are the original 15 X 7s, and I'm having a hard time getting the trim rings on.

Does anyone have any advice on the proper way to install them. I feel like I'm doing more harm then good trying to put them on.

Sorry for the elementary questioin, but I've never had any experience with a Rally set.
 
I begin at the clip near the valve stem hole and make sure that all the clips are properly centered. Then I use a rubber mallet to lightly tap them home.

P295-50R-15withcaps-sm.jpg
 
Thats what I am trying to do, but the most that I can get in is two of the clips. Once I try the third clip, the others pop out.

I'll give it another shot with a rubber mallet!

thanks for the advice.
 
I do the same thing that 67HEAVEN suggested but I get the bottom two on, hold them on rim with my feet (while sitting on the ground) and then tap the top one on with rubber mallot.
 
sj20343,

Are they the 4-clip type? If so, they can be tricky. Sometimes the clips can become bent as you are trying to attach them. If this has happened, you may have to take a flathead screwdriver and gently bend the clip back. Ralley wheels look great but they can sometimes be a pain in the butt.

Nick
 
Slowride,

They are the 4 clip design, and that is exactly what I've been experiencing. I am going to try and fight it again tonight.

Now my only question: Am I going to have this much trouble with the cap? I haven't even ventured that far yet!!!!

thanks for the help.
 
The cap should just pop on with the rubber mallet......but be forewarned. If the center caps are not fitting good and snug, they could come off when you hit a hard bump in the road. I used to own a very old set of ralleys and I had to put some tape around the center to make it snug. (the tabs on the wheels were worn).

As an example, I have a set of 82 Collector Edition wheels (different wheels, but they both use center caps) on my truck. Last December, I struck a very hard bump (pothole) during a storm at night that I couldn't see until it was too late. One of the centers came off. Now I periodically check the remaining centers (and am looking for a replacement).

If you have purchased new wheels with your centers and trim rings, you should be ok. If you have older wheels and your center caps do not fit snug, you may want to get a new set of wheels as a precaution.

Nick
 
sj20343 said:
Slowride,

They are the 4 clip design, and that is exactly what I've been experiencing. I am going to try and fight it again tonight.

Now my only question: Am I going to have this much trouble with the cap? I haven't even ventured that far yet!!!!

thanks for the help.

This....
outside05-sm.jpg

started with a loose trim ring. ;)
 
67HEAVEN,

I am about to begin the frame-off restoration experience. Except I will be cutting my teeth on a '66 Chevelle. It will be a father-son tag team job. After completion, I am going to try to talk him into a 68-72 resto. :D

Nick
 
SlowRide said:
67HEAVEN,

I am about to begin the frame-off restoration experience. Except I will be cutting my teeth on a '66 Chevelle. It will be a father-son tag team job. After completion, I am going to try to talk him into a 68-72 resto. :D

Nick

'66 Chevelle - Nice choice of car. :beer
 
sj,
Same here, rubber mallet and alot of patience, place a rag over where you are hitting and go to town.

PS - don't hit any major bumps......

Feel like selling those PO2 covers??

Cee
 
I should probably hold on to the PO2's for now, not sure if I am going to end up liking the Rally's ;(

The PO2's are supposed to be original to the car, but how could you ever be for sure. They are in good shape, I would say above average. I will keep you guys posted if I decide to sell.

thanks again for all of your advice.
 
Stupid thought on my part....and I don't know the answer. We're dealing with 7 inch rally wheels here. Is it possible that you have trim rings for the much more common 8 inchers?

Are the trim rings different between the 7 and 8 inch wheels? Are they the same? I honestly don't know, but maybe you have the wrong trim ring. I have very minimal problems putting the "4 clippers" on my 69 with 8 inch rally's. Chuck
 
They are both 7".

I read in my NCRS book that the 8" rings tend to fit a little more loose, leaving a larger gap between the ring and the wheel, therefore not as hard to put in?

I never really tried to force the issue. I was scared that I may damage the trim ring. I am going to give it another shot this week when I can get some time. Another friend has told me that some repro's are just not manufactured correctly, so the problem may lie there.
 
Well, I became curious after I still had problems with my trim rings.
I called Zip where I purchased them from, and they were the 15 X 8s.

Their catalog lists them as '68 15 X 7s, and so does their website. In fact, they do not even sell the 15 X 7s.

This is the second time that I have had product problems from Zip, there won't be a third.

thanks again for all of your help.
 
So....there is a difference? I "sort of" thought there would be, and by reading your post, I guess you were told that there is, in fact, a difference between 7 and 8 inch rally trim rings. ???? Chuck
 
Interesting,I didnt know there was a diference in trim rings.Hey check Corvette america for the 68 rallies.Ive noticed that they started carrying two kinds.One they call oem exact replacement and the other is called reproduction(Wheel Vintiques).I think they may have started making the oem wheels again when GM moved production of the 15x8 wheel to mexico a couple of years ago. :beer This is paintdaddy I cant log the wife out of here on her own computer :crazy
 

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