TheHighLife

I own some brand new saleen 18x9 replicas that i got from tire rack. They aren't mounted in the rim yet and i was wondering if i would be able to put on new center caps once they are mounted in the tire and put on my car? If the rim+tire get put together would it be easier just to take them all off and put them on once they are off? Is it possible to put new center caps in once they are on the car?

Jazzer The Cat

Two issues come into play with center caps, as I just installed some replicas a couple months back. First is the diameter of the center caps becauseSaleen has two sizes. They are like 1/8" difference between them, so you need to accurately measure. Second is the actual pattern inside the wheel center that actually "holds" the cap in place. I measured and got the correct diameter for authentic Saleen caps, but the internal pattern was completely wrong. I ended up using the cap "body" that came with the aftermarket wheels, and peeling the Saleenface off and gluing it onto it. It came out perfect, but was a little work to do.

If you put your wheels on and try to do the same thing afterward, LEAVE THE CENTER CAPS OFF UNTIL YOU FIGURE IT ALL OUT. The caps need to be pushed off from behind the wheel.

Good luck [sm=smiley20.gif]

The Jaz

03GTVert

I had to get replica rims for my Saleen because the chrome was nasty on the OEM ones when I bought the car (and one rim was cracked) and I just can't justify spending $1600+ for "real" saleen rims when the aftermarket ones are about $600. The only problem I had with the new center caps I bought are that they don't sit flush with the rim, they sit inset about 1/4 of an inch. It still looks good, but not quite the same as the OEM wheels where the center caps are flush.

I wish I could get the OEM rims fixed... but getting them fixed and re-chromed would cost about the same as buying new OEM Saleens!

Jazzer The Cat

That is the exact issue I had. This is why I used the center cap that came with the aftermarket wheels, but the authentic Saleen "sticker". I just carefully peeled the stickers off with razor blade, and used silicone adheasive to attach. Came out puuurrrrfect

Jazzer playing thecello for amy

03GTVert

LOL, I'm not "artistic" enough to trust myself to do that. I'd just ruin a $40 set of center caps. They still look good inset and if you didn't know that the OEM's were supposed to be flush, you'd never know there was anything amiss.

TheHighLife

first of all, sorry for posting in saleen's forum, although the rims are saleen replicas [8D]. I had only got 4 hours of sleep when i posted this. Anyways back on topic, I'm looking at buyingthe chrome saleen center caps off a ebay store. They are 60 bucks with shipping and include 4 center caps that are suppost to fit 17 and 18 inch saleen rims and replicas. These are the rims i have http://www.americanmuscle.com/chromesaleen.htmland you can find the center caps i want by going to ebay and searching for Saleen center caps. They are like a$49.99 buyout with $10.00 shipping price below it but the description info lists a $7 doller shipping price. I figure they will come out atabout $60, maybe a little more. They have alot of positive feedback when it comes to the center caps so i have confidence but could some one look at them and tell me if they will work?

Jazzer The Cat

I recommend getting them straight from Saleen, as I did. The cost was closer to $50.00 total and you can ask Saleen (Ispoke with Jared)and confirm the diameter of cap is the same as the replica so you don't get the wrong size.

Jaz