Front wheel bearing grease caps?

[Stingray70]

I just pulled the front wheels off my '30 coupe today for the first time and was surprised to see there were no grease caps.

After reading, I see they were not originally equipped with them. There are add on caps available from the suppliers though.

My question is, do you guys use them? Worthwhile? I am trying to keep the car as original as possible but it is a driver.

Thanks

[J Franklin]

I bet the factory thought the hub caps were enough.

[TMarsh]

I use them I think they help keep dirt out, you cant see them anyway with the wheels on.

[WHN]

I have never used them. I once did buy a set many, many, years ago. They did not fit properly. So I never put on car.

Enjoy.

[CarlG]

The biggest problem with fitting the caps is that the original washer under the nut is too large to let the cap fit down properly. Either get a smaller diameter washer or file/grind down the original and they will fit.

[john charlton]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

In late 1931 Ford introduced a spoked cast iron front drum . It is the same pattern as the 12" model B drum but is 11" often overlooked at swap meets . This drum is threaded to take a threaded hub cap . A good drum to find as no dirt in the bearing in extreme conditions and much less brake fade .

John in same place but worse weather .

[shew01]

Originally Posted by john charlton

In late 1931 Ford introduced a spoked cast iron front drum . It is the same pattern as the 12" model B drum but is 11" often overlooked at swap meets . This drum is threaded to take a threaded hub cap . A good drum to find as no dirt in the bearing in extreme conditions and much less brake fade .

John in same place but worse weather .

Originally Posted by john charlton

In late 1931 Ford introduced a spoked cast iron front drum . It is the same pattern as the 12" model B drum but is 11" often overlooked at swap meets . This drum is threaded to take a threaded hub cap . A good drum to find as no dirt in the bearing in extreme conditions and much less brake fade .

John in same place but worse weather .

Is this the drum you are taking about?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Will N]

The center section of the wheel seals up tight against the brake drum, and the hubcap covers the exposed area of the outer bearing. It's not a perfect seal, but hey, nothing on the Model A is a perfect seal!

[Ruth]

Originally Posted by shew01

Is this the drum you are taking about?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ya think you got that picture BIG enough?

[shew01]

Originally Posted by Ruth

Ya think you got that picture BIG enough?

Maybe. It’s what I happened to have on hand. ;-)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[john charlton]

Yes that is the one as long as it is 11" dia. Some have the part number on the back spokes .

John in Suffolk County England .

[shew01]

Originally Posted by john charlton

Yes that is the one as long as it is 11" dia. Some have the part number on the back spokes .

John in Suffolk County England .

They were on my car when I purchased it. A senior club member was surprised to see them and remarked that he had never seen a set. Are these supposed to be better than the original design?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DNLs1930]

Originally Posted by CarlG

The biggest problem with fitting the caps is that the original washer under the nut is too large to let the cap fit down properly. Either get a smaller diameter washer or file/grind down the original and they will fit.

YEP What Carl said! My car actually has a cap on the drivers side and no cap on the passenger side. SO got a set of replacement caps and the passenger side cap will not fit over the keyed washer therefore my car continues to had a drivers side cap and no passenger side cap

[Arcieri]

I reduced the size of your picture and here it is.
I have a couple of these wheels but they are in storage and I haven't seen them in years.

Yours looks a little different than what I remember, but if I get to the warehouse today I"ll take pictures and post one for us to compare.

Ray

[katy]

Maybe the large washer was an attempt to keep large dirt out of the bearing.

[Dick M]

I bought a pair years ago. They did not fit as the inserted part was over size. I carefully ground down the inserted part until it was a snug fit. The have been on ever since modified.

[Ak Sourdough]

I saw on some forum, thought it was this one, that Ford passenger car bearing caps from the early 50's would fit the hubs. I trotted right out in the woods and removed a pair from a junker 52 Customline. As CarlG said, the washer was too large, but not by much. A few seconds at the bench grinder made them small enough to let the cap into the hub without interference.


I rummaged through my inventory of good goods and found a small ball to clamp in my vice and knocked out most of the dents. I guess I neglected to take a picture of them installed, but they fit just fine.