11BL Hubcaps

[Paul BarnardParticipant]

I decided to remove a few small dents and polish my hubcaps.

I took the first one off and using a sandbag proceeded to gently push out the dents. Tilting it and working on the area around the bolt hole I was surprised when the chromed centre just dropped out. Great – it certainly made an easier job of polishing it up. Then came number two and I thought that it would be easier if I removed the centre first. However, this one and the other three all seem as if they are swaged in but I’ve noticed on different sites that the chrome centres are available separately as well as part of a complete two-part unit.

My question is, are they swaged in and if so, what is the best way to remove them without damaging the outer ring? Since they are available separately, it  must be possible. Do I just resort to knocking the internal flange back with a hammer, or shoud they indeed, just push apart.

Any help much appreciated.

[David FaulknerParticipant]

On my 1952 11BL the chrome centre caps just push out, but are a good snug fit, even the couple of corroded ones that I replaced with new ones.

Maybe it’s a bit of rust (or paint)  holding them in so try tapping gently around the edge to loosen them?

[BernieParticipant]

Paul,

My experience is that they appear to have been swaged originally but subsequent replacements have usually just been left loose.  Personally, if they appear well fixed, I would leave them thus unless I actually needed to remove the centres for replacement or re-plating.

I have removed really “stubborn” ones by placing the assembly over a piece of wood or similar material with a smooth-edged hole that just clears the chrome centre and then driving the centre out with a disc of similar soft(ish) material which just fits inside the centre.  If you are handy with a jigsaw you can produce both bits at once.

A blow near the outer edge of the centre usually persuades it to pop out but, to get it to go back in, you may have to work around the outside of the centre with a soft hammer to reduce the diameter sufficiently.

Thereafter I leave them loose – then if you lose a hubcap you still have a chance of finding one part of it

 

I would

[Paul BarnardParticipant]

Many thanks you two. I have one that needs replacing I see and the one in the spare wheel cover is losing a lot of its’ chrome – getting that one out might be a challenge. On a slightly different topic – is it better to buy new bumpers (moustaches) or have the old ones rechromed – and where is the best place to buy (I see the club have them). I suspect you are going to say that it’s personal preference.

Cheers

[Richard LarterParticipant]

I have recently refurbished my hubcaps and found the centres were not particularly tight and were held in place with a silicon sealant. They are not very old but the chrome was peeling off so I painted them as a temporary measure. Are stainless steel centres available, they are on the club spares list but not stocked. Does anyone else stock them?

Cheers Richard

[David FaulknerParticipant]

My experience is that they appear to have been swaged originally but subsequent replacements have usually just been left loose

Interesting Bernie, explains why mine are snug, but not swaged, however after 65+ years there can’t be many original ones around now?

A tip when refitting so they don’t get ‘lost’ (I had one loose itself in a field the week I got the car!) – fit the rubber trim that is available for the ‘Top Hat’ to wheel rim joint (J36c on Club Parts list?) and put a rubber washer or heavy section ‘O’ ring on the bolt inside the chrome cap which stops the centre cap being pulled in and distort it when the bolt is tightened (and the bolt dropping out when trying to assemble both parts to the wheel).

Both rubbers help reduce the road vibration which causes the bolts to spin loose……

I don’t want to tempt fate but after 6 years……

[Paul BarnardParticipant]

Richard

Renel do them in chrome plated brass if thats any use –  https://www.renelauto.fr/52-enjoliveur-de-roues-accessoires.

[BernieParticipant]

Hubcaps – I bought stainless centres from Depanoto some time ago, see:
<p style=”text-align: center;”>http://www.depanoto-boutique.com/coupelle-inox-vis-citroen-traction-av-c2x8207576</p&gt;
Bumpers – I would go for stainless every time.  They will always stay bright with minimum TLC but one small ding on a chrome bumper  will almost certainly mean having it re-chromed sooner rather than later.  I originally bought mine (for the Legere) from Jonathan Howard who I believe now supplies the TOC but the six came with them – so they must be available on the continent if the Club cannot help.

 

 

 

[Paul BarnardParticipant]

Thankyou, Bernie.

I shall have to save some pennies and put up with my ‘patinated’ bumpers for a while I think. I bought stainless for my Amazon which came from Thailand I think and the quality is good – I’ll have to check and see if they do them for the Citroen.

I see that Renel also do them in stainless at 110 euros each.

[Richard LarterParticipant]

Thank you Paul  and Bernie for that information, I will chase it up. I fitted stainless steel bumpers to my Swallow Doretti several years ago, made in Vietnam and not cheap but fitted well, I think Harrington was the name of the company. They only made around 275 Dorettis so Citroen is a much bigger market.

Cheers Richard

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